Clock Is Ticking for FEMA Flood Claim Reviews

As we told you last month, time is running out to request a review of your Sandy-related National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim.

Homeowners must opt-in with FEMA by September 15, 2015. Ocean County Long Term Recovery Group (OCLTRG) Director Sue Marticek says you don't have to have everything ready by then, but you do have to make the call.

"If they opt in, they can still come to us and ask any questions they have," Marticek said. "We will help them navigate the system, the paperwork, we'll organize it."

Marticek estimates only about 11,000 of the more than 140,000 eligible claimants have filed for a review of the NFIP claims. FEMA notified potentially eligible homeowners in mid-May, and the OCLTRG has been holding free clinics across our area ever since to help explain the process.

"About 90% of the people that we have had come into our clinics or into our office feel that they are owed money and are submitting extra paperwork," Marticek said.

To request a review, you must opt-in by calling FEMA at 866-337-4262 no later than September 15, 2015. You can also opt-in online by clicking here.

The OCLTRG is still offering assistance with claim review paperwork.  You can schedule an appointment by calling  732-569-3484, extension 24.