November 5, 2012 Hurricane Sandy Update
VOLUNTEERING
I would like to extend another enormous thank-you to everyone who reached out to my office about volunteering. Your work has made a huge difference in the lives of New Yorkers during this extremely difficult time. There are many government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and elected officials' offices that are seeking volunteers for other relief work around the City. Please see http://www.nycservice.org/ for the latest details on where volunteers and donations are needed.
Fulton Houses, 3PM Meet at Fulton Center Auditorium, 119 Ninth Ave betw 17th & 18th Streets First shift starts at 12noon and second shift 3 pm -6pm Our neighbors at Fulton Houses are still without heat or hot water since Con Ed's steam system is not yet back on line. Volunteers are needed to go door-to-door in Fulton Houses and assess residents' needs so we can get them supplies. If you cannot make 3 pm but are free for an hour or two at noon, please go then. People will pair off and go through the buildings. Please contact for more information: Assembly Member Richard N. Gottfried Community Office: 212-807-7900
RESTORING HUDSON RIVER PARK TRUST
On Friday, November 2nd, community volunteers came together to continue the cleanup process for Hudson River Park. Though many areas of the Park were damaged by Hurricane Sandy, the infrastructure held up well and nothing is beyond repair. If you're able to join your fellow New Yorkers and get your hands dirty, additional volunteer opportunities are available for November 10. And, if you're able to lend your financial support to help us fund the necessary repairs, please consider becoming a member and give what you can. We hope you and your family are safe and sound, and we look forward to welcoming you back to more and more of the Park as we re-open. The park needs your support now more than ever before.
Pier 40 offices are experiencing a loss of phone communication at this time. Please contact Trust staff by email. You can send general messages to info@hrpt.ny.gov VOTING
Tomorrow is Election Day. Hurricane Sandy did serious damage to many poll sites in Manhattan.
To check where you should vote tomorrow, please go to the NYC Board of Election's (BOE) poll locator at: http://gis.nyc.gov/vote/ps/index.htm.
Also, please note that the BOE's phone hotline is temporarily down. Hopefully that will be fixed shortly. The number is 866-VOTE-NYC.
1. FEMA http://www.governor.ny.gov/assets/documents/StepsforApplyingforFEMAAssistance.pdf
2. Unemployment Insurance Federal Disaster Unemployment Benefits Federal disaster unemployment assistance is now available to all New Yorkers who lost their jobs as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Disaster unemployment benefits are available to provide financial support to anyone who has lost their job and live or work in the Bronx, Kings, New York, Richmond, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland and Westchester counties. To apply for unemployment benefits or disaster unemployment assistance, those affected by the storm and have lost their job or income should call the Department of Labor's Telephone Claims Center (TCC) at 1-888-209-8124 by December 3, 2012. Claimant Extension Date Because of the loss of power and phone service in the storm impacted areas, many Unemployment Insurance claimants were unable to certify for their weekly benefits. The Department of Labor will extend the date of certification of unemployment benefits for individuals impacted by Hurricane Sandy from November 3, 2012 to November 10, 2012. These individuals will need to call 1-888-209-8124 and speak to an agent to receive benefits for the prior week. If you are unable to access a phone to obtain benefits, individuals can visit any of the agency's career centers
3.Tax Filing and Payment Deadline Extensions Certain tax filing and payment deadlines for taxpayers who were directly affected by Hurricane Sandy have been extended to November 14, 2012. This covers filings and tax payments due during the period beginning October 26, 2012 and ending on or before November 13, 2012. Additionally, the extension applies to all claims for refunds, including a protective claim associated with the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Mobility Tax. All 62 New York State counties are eligible for these extensions since Governor Cuomo had declared a state of emergency in New York and President Obama has authorized federal aid and assistance for the State. For further information, visit http://www.tax.ny.gov/bus/multi/sandy_relief.htm or call the Hurricane Sandy Helpline at (888) 769-7243. Special Waiver of Highway Use Tax and IFTA Credentials Related to Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Efforts For the period October 26, 2012, through January 24, 2013, motor vehicles operated on the highways of New York State, when exclusively providing disaster assistance, supplies, and equipment in response to Hurricane Sandy, do not need a HUT certificate of registration, HUT decal, IFTA license, or IFTA decals that are ordinarily required. In addition, carriers operating their motor vehicles to provide disaster assistance, supplies, and equipment to aid in the relief efforts will not be liable for the highway use tax or fuel use tax on miles traveled and fuel consumed in New York State. This waiver applies only to travel in New York State. For further information, visit http://tax.ny.gov/pdf/notices/n12_10.pdf
Wishing everyone well,  Corey Johnson Chair, Manhattan Community Board 4
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