Citing the difficulty some downtown residents have encountered in applying for the Federal grant programs offered to them, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) reiterated his call for Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Joe Allbaugh to extend the deadline for one of the most important grant programs.

Previously, in a letter dated Oct. 3, sent to the Director and Governor George Pataki, Rep. Nadler requested that the Individual and Family Grant Program (IFG) be extended until January 31, 2003, from its November 30, 2002 deadline.  He reiterated this request at a press conference today at the offices of the City Department of Labor.  The IFG program was established to address the issue of air quality and property damage and loss in disaster situations.

“Those who know about the program are finding it extremely difficult to get through on the information line, both to register and to inquire about eligibility requirements and other program information,” wrote Rep. Nadler. “With the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set to begin the cleaning of apartments, I can anticipate that there will be residents made newly aware of environmental hazards.  It would thus be invaluable for the IFG programs to continue to be available during the EPA cleanup.”

“I have been working on this issue for just about a month, and am pleased to know that other elected officials are joining me in my efforts today,” Rep. Nadler added at the press conference.  “Together, I have no doubt that we will succeed for New Yorkers.”

Many residents of Lower Manhattan have found the process of applying for the various grants program exhausting at best. The extension of the IFG deadline to January 31, 2003 will make it consistent with FEMA’s January 31, 2003 extended deadline for its Housing Assistance programs, and would eliminate any potential confusion among residents, Rep. Nadler argued.

Rep. Nadler has served in Congress since 1992.  He represents the 8th Congressional District of New York which includes parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn.  A copy of the letter is attached.

October 2, 2002

Mr. Joe M. Allbaugh
Director
Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street, SW
Washington, DC 20472

Dear Mr. Allbaugh:

I am writing to request that the Individual and Family Grant Program (IFG) deadline be extended to January 31, 2003.  As Ground Zero and the surrounding neighborhoods are within the district I represent, it is clear to me that many impacted residents are not aware of the IFG program. Those who know about the program are finding it extremely difficult to get through on the information line, both to register and to inquire about eligibility requirements and other program information. With the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set to begin the cleaning of apartments later this fall, I can anticipate that there will be residents made newly aware of environmental hazards.  It would thus be invaluable for the IFG programs to continue to be available during the EPA cleanup.

Many residents of Lower Manhattan have found the process of applying for the various grants program exhausting at best. The extension of the deadline to January 31, 2003 will make it consistent with FEMA’s January 31, 2003 extended deadline for its Housing Assistance programs, and eliminate any potential confusion among residents. The IFG program was established to address the very serious issue of air quality and property damage and loss. While I am gratified that the IFG program deadline was recently extended to November 30, 2002, it would be a prudent and thoughtful decision to further extend it to January 31, 2003.

I am certain that we both share the common goal to be responsive to the needs and concerns of residents impacted by September 11th.  If you wish to discuss this matter further, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
JERROLD NADLER
Member of Congress