Menendez, Booker to NJ Sandy Victims: Check Your Mailbox for FEMA Claims Review Letters

Press Release

U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today urged those New Jersey Sandy victims who filed flood insurance claims with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and feel they were underpaid to participate in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) claims review process. The first wave of FEMA letters go out today, with a total of over 140,000 being sent to Sandy victims in the affected states over the next several weeks.

"While the wait has been far too long, starting today, all Sandy victims with flood insurance will have the opportunity to get what they were entitled to so they can finally end this nightmare and move on with their lives," said Sen. Menendez. "While the path has been long, windy, and often dark, today we see light at the end of the tunnel as more than 70,000 New Jersey homeowners will get a second chance to be made whole. It has been an honor to stand with Sandy survivors and I will continue to fight by their side until the recovery is full and complete."

"It's unacceptable that victims of Superstorm Sandy's devastation are still fighting to get what they rightfully deserve from their insurers," said Sen. Booker. "Senator Menendez and I have worked hard with our colleagues from New York to correct these significant problems, and today's announcement is another step forward in righting this wrong. Every New Jerseyan who filed claims with NFIP and feels they were underpaid should follow the instructions they will soon receive in the mail. Even with today's important announcement, the job of helping victims is by no means complete and we will continue to fight on behalf of all those affected by Superstorm Sandy until they are whole."

As a result of continued efforts by the Sandy Task Force, led by Sen. Menendez, along with Sens. Booker, Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), FEMA agreed to reopen each flood insurance claim filed by victims of Superstorm Sandy who feel they were underpaid and are not currently in litigation. FEMA continues to work towards settling the approximately 2,200 cases in litigation.

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