Sen. Schumer: Sign Up Now for Federal Sandy Aid

Federal aid for victims of Hurricane Sandy is on the way and there's more than enough to go around, according to Senator Charles Schumer.

Speaking on Thursday afternoon in front of the Sandy-affected Lindenhurst home of Mary Collins and Don Werle on Granada Parkway, Schumer urged residents who had not applied for aid under the New York Rising Community Reconstruction Program to do so now.

"My message to Sandy-impacted homeowners on Long Island is sign up now," Schumer said several times during a press conference. The money, he said, could be used "to fill the gap between what homeowners would receive from insurance and from FEMA to rebuild their homes."

The money could also be used to help fortify the homes against future storms, including raising houses up.

Schumer said $484.3 million of a $1.77 billion Community Development Block Grant funding for New York State will go towards helping the homeowners with "unmet needs."

In a release, Schumer said aid is being distributed to homeowners were receiving over $100,000 on average. Collins and Werle reportedly received over $105,000 through the grant program.

"We've made the program the program very flexible and that's a good thing," Schumer said. "We didn't want to leave people high and dry."

Those interested in applying through the NY Rising program are urged to check out this website for more details.