How about people who did not lose their homes but lost their vehicles instead? I do understand the absolute importance of getting the people who did lose their homes and all their belongings the assistance they need but, just because we did not lose everything we also deserve some sort of assistance. FEMA has turned us down, we do not qualify for an SBA loan, where do we go for help? I have always felt it is extremely important to give back to your community, I was a volunteer firefighter for over 11 years retiring a couple of years ago. It's just so very frustrating needing a small amount of help but always being told “sorry we CANNOT help you”. Who the heck CAN help us? Sorry if this seems minimal to those who lost so much more than we did, I also think those people deserve the help they need but, we deserve help also.

its a shame u would have gotten help if u lost everything makes no sense to me. Most charities are a fraud and waste of money does anyone know anyone that has gotten anything of consequence from a charity in there time of need?

NJ the state where the middle class supports the 1% that live ocean front sounds about right if u live on the water u should not get a dime ur choice

I have to admit I got some volunteers from Belmar to help me for a few hours after the storm to rid my basement of my tenants junk. They were a great help and I thank
them very much. As for any other charities; MIA. Save your money. Charity begins at home. Red Cross, what a load of crap. I feel sorry for the old farts down in Ocean Beach that lost their homes. I got a call today from the SBA about running out of time to get an SBA loan. FEMA and SBA total waste of tax payers money.

Any churches still accepting donations of food and supplies?

St. Paul's, Bay Head and St. Gregory's Pantry, at St. Mary's, Point Beach. you might want to call them first to find out exactly what they need most right now.

Thank you

U NEED HELP and U HUNGRY Too MOBILE CAFE (The UHAUL VOLUNTEERS) THEY COULD USE DONATIONS OF FOOD THEY ARE AT THE VFW ON HWY 36 IN PORT MONMOUTH THEY SERVE OVER 600 MEALS A DAY

I don't get it, FEMA whats to get people out of hotel nad motel rooms but the Ocean County Board of Social Services keep people in Seaside Heights hotels and motels for more then a year and its ok.

17 Million on hotels and motels?
Are you freakin kidding me?

I know there are stories on both sides, good and bad and the inconsistencies with fema are bad, i feel for everyone who had to go thru this whether you lost everything including your home like myself, or your car or anything its painful. Personally I can't say enough or be more grateful to all the people and groups who have come to my aid, from the Mennonites and Amish christian aid groups to those driving around offering hot food and just a kind word. I'm certainly not a 1%'er and bought my home in a nice blue collar bayshore community BECAUSE thats what my family could afford to try and raise our family. good luck all

If you took all the salaries, all the benifits, all the pensions of all the FEMA employees, we could have bailed out the Sandy victims 10 fold with 1 USA disater fund provided by We the People. More government is NEVER the answer. Cut FEMA Now.

Wheres Obama NOW?? I thought he was going to SAVE as all!!!???
or just those that do not do for themselves ? .. For those of us use to working hard, Just work harder, pay more taxes & DO NOT dare ask for help because the Gvmt. has already Spent your money on someone else Who doesn't even pay taxes JUST TAKES!!

Is FEMA gonna pay my beer tab at riggers?

Most of the people who made comments here are idiots!!

Stop dolling out billions in foreign aid and take care of our own first. I didn't see one single oversea's country offer one iota of help, be it food, clothing Nothing!! well except Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones.

The American Red Cross Sandy Recovery Program has recently launched a program with the goal of Sustainable Long Term Housing to move people out of hotels and into more permanent living. Even if not FEMA eligible, people can access these services which include: assignment of a case manager, provide money (up to $6,500) to be used for 1st month's rent, last month's rent, security deposit, application fees, background checks, utility deposit, assistance with back overdue utility payments to access utilities in new home, reconnection fees for utilities, moving costs, brokerage fees, home repairs with NJ licensed contractors and more. Verification of need and verification that appropriate housing has been selected are required. When the process is complete, American Red Cross cuts a check payable to the new landlord, but gives the check to the individual to hand over to the landlord. For those who are registered with FEMA, call them and ask to be referred to the American Red Cross Sustainable Housing Program. For those not registered with FEMA, register and ask for this help at that time. Good Luck!

Have you noticed Congress has not removed the 10% penalty for taking out money out of a retirement fund to rebuild thier homes, like they did for the people in the south when Katrina hit?
Insurance payments are so slow for many people and they need to get back into thier homes and this would help.

i am sure there alot more people still living with friends and family also ..the number is much bigger of displaced people

Bitching about 17 mill spent on hotels and motels?? are u serious?? do you NOT know the extent of damage this storm caused??? THOUSANDS are without a home to go back to...if you lost your home you wouldn't be bitching, you would WANT this so u had a roof over your head...It is what we pay taxes for..situations like this....how about you bitch about the MILLIONS in the sandy releif bill that has NOTHING to do with storm recovery...Millions for FBI Salaries, Millions for a roof and repairs on the smithsonian....Yeah congress are the JERKOFFS NOT THE SUFFERERS OF SANDY....and yes Jenny there are thousands living in homes of friends and relatives....the rebuilding of the towns and homes are gonna take a very long time..I had friends who are in hotels freaking out because they were supposed to get out by tomorrow with NOWHERE to go...THANKFULLY they extended the hotel stays another 2 weeks and these are HARDWORKING People who PAID Taxes and STILL do....Not bum welfare recipients

it is very unbelievable to me that there are several hundred apartment units that lay vacant near fort monmouth, (formaly used to house military families) these units are in ready to occupy condition, or nearly so. what's the hold up, washinton & fema? there should be no delay in placing those families in those apartments immediatly! shame, shame, shame!

Temporarily Homeless from Highlands: FEMA just extended their hotel program another two weeks, and only half the people in our hotel got approved to stay the extra two weeks...we were of the ones that did not... I called FEMA & said, "Our house is totally gutted, why would you kick us out, and not other people?" They said, "We gave you 'rental assistance' money of $2,300 after the storm, you can use that if you want to stay longer." .....

you may want to use some of the ,money for a gun for protection from the government. this state and the US are headed in the wrong direction. 40 years ago the country was better, utilities were more dependable, police only beat up the bad guys,, politicians had compassion for the average family, there was an average family, people smiled and worked. we are now a welfare country of selfish people draining the americanism out of the average family. Better to be Amish and take care of your own. hold on to what you have left before FEMA sends you a bill for services rendered. I would like to compare the housing money for displaced victims to the perdium spent on all the FEMA and insurance adjusters etc.. 2500 workers for 60 days at $120/day = $18M. FEMA told me they had 5000 people working on thisdisaster and I used 1/2 that. follow the $$$$$$$$$

Mitt (AKA "buy a gun"), you and your 1950s mentality lost the election, big-time. FEMA is not immoral.

I am working in the Command Center of a Federally-funded program, NJ Hope & Healing Center. The Command Center’s mission is to coordinate outreach efforts to raise awareness of the program’s ability to serve as a gateway to no-cost emotional support services and an access point to relief aid resources for those adversely affected by Super Storm Sandy. You can email at njhh500@gmail.com