This guide was produced by New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio to assist small businesses that

were impacted by Hurricane Sandy and as a result are now suffering incredible hardship and economic uncertainty. The Public Advocates office is committed to helping these businesses navigate through these difficult times and pave a path to recovery. New York Citys small businesses are anchors of our neighborhoods and a cornerstone of our economy. Small businesses provide essential services, employ thousands of city residents and foster the entrepreneurial spirit that makes New York thrive. Our success as a city is intrinsically linked to the success of our small businesses.

Depending on the type of damage to your property and its cause, you may be eligible to receive some payments from either your flood insurance, homeowners or renters insurance policy. All insurance policies are ultimately governed by their terms so it is important that you contact your insurance agent for details of your particular policy. Standard homeowners or renters insurance does not cover flooding, but it may cover other types of water damage from storms. While the terms of insurance policies can vary as to what damages they cover, for insurance purposes, flooding generally refers to water that enters your house at the ground level as the result of the rising and overflowing of a body of water onto normally dry land. Water damage, by contrast, generally refers to when water damages your home before coming in contact with the ground (for example, if rain soaks through your roof). 1. Contact your insurance agent or insurance company representative to notify them that you have damage and want to make a claim, and prepare a Notice of Loss form. It is important to begin this process immediately. All insurance policies require you to give prompt written notice of loss. 2. Separate damaged items from non-damaged items. Take photos and/or video of damaged items. Although it is generally not advised to throw anything away before an adjuster has seen it, the New York State Department of Financial Services has instructed insurers to accept homeowners documentation, including photos and video, of losses.

Type of Damage Water damage from flooding Damage from Rain or wind

Who Can Help? Flood insurance* (or FEMA) Homeowners or rental insurance* (or FEMA) FEMA

Making repairs not covered by insurance Replacing essential household items not covered by insurance Lost wages

FEMA

NYS Department of Labor FEMA Small Business Administration (SBA) loans

Temporary housing Structural damage to my business not covered by insurance

3. Create a list of any structural damage to show the adjuster and photograph the outside of the premises, showing any damage or flooding. You should also photograph the inside of the premises, showing the damaged property and the height of the water if your property was flooded. You should also conduct a complete inventory of all damaged property. All damage should be photographed (see details on the right). A sample Damage Assessment Report for inventory is also included on the next page. 4. Report your storm damage to the City of New Yorks Office of Emergency Management by calling 311 or visiting www.nyc.gov/hmtl/oem/html/nycseve reweather/ damage_form.shtml

It may be tempting to immediately get rid of everything which has been damaged in the storm please dont! It is important that you document all damage with photos or video and dont throw anything away before an adjuster has seen it. If needed, move the damaged items outside. For claims under homeowners insurance, if dwelling debris must be removed before the adjuster is able to examine it, homeowners should: Inventory all the damaged items. Take individual color photos of the damaged property, targeting any high ticket items. If possible, videotape the damage items. Have the camera set to record the date / time. If possible, take samples or swatches of carpeting, wallpaper, furniture upholstery, window treatments, and other items where quality will be a claims factor.

5. Arrange a visit with an adjuster from The inventory should reflect the corresponding the insurance company. Generally, picture for validation. your adjuster will contact you within Keep this information in a secured location to 24-48 hours after receiving your share when the adjuster arrives. notice of loss. The New York State Department of Financial Services requires companies to start investigating within 15 days of a filed claim. When the adjuster visits your property, let him or her know if you need an advance or partial payment of loss. 6. Your claim is payable after you and the insurer agree on the amount of damages and the insurer receives your complete, accurate and signed Proof of Loss.
Source: National Flood Insurance Program (http://www.floodsmart.gov); National Flood Insurance Program, Flood Insurance Claims Handbook, FEMA F- 687, February 2009 (http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=2184); and FEMAs Tips for Filing an Insurance Claim (http://www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/claim.shtm).

DAMAGED OR LOST PROPERTY ITEMS

REPAIRS & REPLACEMENT NEEDED

ESTIMATED TIME NEEDED FOR REPAIRS & REPLACEMENT

REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENT STATUS

Completed By: ________________________

Date: ____________

Time: ____________

1) I have received a settlement from my insurance company and it is not enough to cover my losses. What should I do now?
FEMA recommends the following: Read over your settlement documents carefully and be sure you understand your policy. If you believe a mistake has been made, contact your insurance agent. If you are still not satisfied, your agent can tell you how to contest the settlement. Next, call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA. FEMA and other agencies may be able to help cover those losses that are uninsured and otherwise eligible.

2) Are insurance deductibles covered under FEMA's programs?

FEMA does not cover insurance deductibles. If your insurance settlement does not meet your disaster related need you may be eligible for assistance from FEMA.

3) What documents does FEMA want from my insurance company?

If you apply for help from FEMA because your insurance does not cover all of your disaster related needs, you need to write a letter to FEMA explaining your situation and include a copy of a settlement or denial letter from your insurance company. FEMA cannot duplicate any insurance coverage. If you do not file a claim with your insurance company FEMA help may be limited.

4) My insurance company told me it would be weeks before they come to see my damages. Can FEMA help?
If a decision on your insurance settlement has been delayed longer than 30 days from the time you filed the claim you may be eligible for an insurance advancement from FEMA. These funds are considered a loan and must be repaid to FEMA once you receive your settlement from your insurance company. Contact FEMA if your insurance settlement is delayed. FEMA will send you a Request for Advancement and Signature letter. You must complete and return this letter before FEMA can evaluate your request for assistance.
Source: http://www.fema.gov/disaster-assistance-frequently-asked-questions

5) What should I do if I have been unable to reach my insurance company via web, phone or email?
You should first document how and when you tried to reach company. To file a complaint about an insurance company, call the Department of Financial Services storm hotline at 800339-1759. You should be prepared to provide your name, property address, name of insurance company, claim or policy number, and the nature of complaint.

6) How does a policy holder dispute a settlement?

The exact process for disputing a settle will depend on the insurance company and specific policy. The policy holder can hire their own contractor to evaluate damage and file a complaint with Department of Financial Services by calling 800-339-1759. If the dispute is solely about the amount (not the scope of damage), each policy has an appraisal clause that requires mandatory mediationand that's binding. The policy will explain how to set that in motion.
Source: New York State Department of Financial Services

On October 30, 2012, New York City was declared a major disaster zone by the President and the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster aid had been made available to New York. Supplementing these efforts, New York City, including the Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), is coordinating a set of services to assist small businesses.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides financial assistance and, if necessary, direct services to eligible individuals and households who, as a direct result of a major disaster, have necessary expenses and serious needs and are unable to meet such expenses or needs through other means. Businesses are generally not eligible for FEMA assistance.

Business owners and individuals in disaster zones may be eligible for the following types of assistance: Low-interest loans to rebuild your home or business Grants to individuals to make home repairs or replace damaged property Payments for temporary housing Compensation for up to 27 weeks of lost income

The City of New York and Goldman Sachs are providing emergency loans to help New York City businesses damaged by Hurricane Sandy. NYC Business Solutions and the New York Business Development Corporation (NYBDC) will administer the loan program. Emergency loans are available for up to $25,000 to cover the cost of replacement/repairs to facilities or equipment, and/or the working capital needed to restart or continue business operations. There are no fees associated with the emergency loans and no payment is required for the first six months. Following this, loans will have a 1% interest rate on a monthly amortization schedule for the following 24 months. To qualify for the emergency loan program, you must be an independently-owned and operated business that pays taxes in New York City or a non-profit organization, and you must meet the following conditions: Located in New York City Have fewer than 100 employees Filed 2011 business tax returns Experienced direct damage through flooding or power outages as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

The turnaround time for these loans is 5-7 days after submitting a complete application with required documentation. Priority will be given to businesses located in Zone A and other areas directly impacted by Hurricane Sandy with physical damage to property, inventory or equipment. Applications must be submitted at one of NYC Business Solutions Centers listed below. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday 9:00 am-5:00pm. Brooklyn Center 9 Bond Street, 5th Flr Brooklyn, NY 11201 Phone: 347.296.8021 Queens Center 168-25 Jamaica Ave, Flr 2 Jamaica, NY 11432 Phone: 718.577.2148 Bronx Center 400 E Fordham Road, 7th Flr (entrance on Webster Ave) Bronx, NY 10458 Phone: 718.960.7910 Staten Island Center 120 Stuyvesant Pl, 3rd Flr Staten Island, NY 10301 Phone: 718.285.8400 Lower Manhattan Center 79 John Street New York, NY 10038 Phone: 212.618.8914 Upper Manhattan Center 215 West 125th St, 6th Flr New York, NY 10027 Phone: 917.493.7243 Washington Heights Center 560 W 181st St, 2nd Flr New York, NY 10033 Phone: 212.928.3400

Loans up to $2 million are available for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster's adverse economic impact. This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $2 million. The interest rate on these loans is detailed in the table below. Repayment can be up to 30 years, depending on the businesss ability to repay the loan. No Credit Elsewhere 1.688% 4% 3% Credit Available 3.375% 6%

Home Loans Business Loans Non-profit Organization Loans

Businesses can apply directly to the U.S. Small Business Administration for assistance. SBA offers the option of filing your loan application online or you can submit the application by mail. Application forms are available online at www.sba.gov/content/applying-disaster-loan or can be requested by calling 1-800-659-2955 (TTY 1-800-877-8339) or by sending an email to: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. The turnaround time for SBA loans is up to 15 days. You will receive a decision on your loan application within 10 days of submitting your application. After your loan is approved, it can take 1-5 days to receive a check depending on method of distribution. Direct deposit can be done in 24 hours while a check can take 5 days to be processed and sent by mail.

Free co-working space, supplies, and other services are now available for businesses impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Businesses can access desk space, power, internet and more at many locations throughout the five boroughs. Locations include: Metrotech/Forest City Ratner: For details, contact Ali Esmaeilzade at 718-923-5302 or aesmaeilzadeh@fcrc.com Brooklyn Army Terminal: For details, contact Doug Roberts at droberts@nycedc.com Sunshine Bronx Incubator: For details, contact Cheni Yerushalmi at cheni@sunshineny.com East Midtown Partnership: For details, contact Rob Byrnes at 212-813-0030 or rbyrnes@eastmidtown.org For a full list of short-term office space, supplies & other services visit http://www.nycedc.com/donations

If you lost income because of Hurricane Sandy, you may be eligible for compensation up to $405/ week through the New York State Department of Labors Disaster Unemployment Assistance. The maximum duration for Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits is 27 weeks starting from October 29, 2012 through May 5, 2013. The application deadline is February 4, 2012. To qualify for assistance, you must live or work in one of New Yorks five boroughs, Nassau County, Rockland County, Suffolk County or Westchester County and will need to demonstrate that you lost income or your job due to Hurricane Sandy. The following are examples of situations that may make you eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance: You were injured during Hurricane Sandy and are unable to work because of those injuries. Your workplace (or primary source of income) was damaged or destroyed. You were unable to work because transportation (including subways, buses or your car) was not available. You were unable to get to your place of work because of damaged infrastructure due to Hurricane Sandy. You were about to begin a new job, but could not because of Hurricane Sandy. You are out of work because the Federal government took over or closed the facility where you worked. Your clients or customers were affected by Hurricane Sandy and therefore your business income is down.

The only way to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance is to call the NYS Department of Labor hotline at 1-888-209-8124 or if you live out of state, call 1-877-358-5306. Hotline hours of operation are Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. When you call, an automated system will ask you a series of questions to verify that you lost income or your job because of Hurricane Sandy.

To apply, you should have the following information ready and available: Your Social Security number Your NYS driver license or Motor Vehicle ID card number (if you have one) Your mailing address and zip code A phone number where you can be reached for additional information Your alien registration card number (if you have one) and The names and addresses of all employers you worked for within the 18 months prior to October 29, 2012, including any in another state

The New York City Industrial Development Agency will provide emergency assistance to small businesses by establishing the Hurricane Emergency Sales Tax Exemption Program (HESTEP). This program will provide sales tax exemptions of up to $100,000 for each affected company on purchases of building, construction and renovation materials, machinery and equipment and other items of personal property and related services needed to rebuild after the storm. Companies undertaking projects of approximately $350,000 in value or more are encouraged to apply. Eligible businesses should obtain the HESTEP sales tax letter prior to making eligible capital expenditures. To apply, please fill out the HESTEP Application, which can be downloaded online at http://www.nycedc.com/backtobusiness, and email it to Shin Mitsugi at HESTEP@nycedc.com. Applications for sales tax benefits must be received by Feb 1, 2013. Companies are required to commence reconstruction efforts within six months of application and must fully utilize the sales tax benefit within one year of commencement. All businesses with storm-related physical damages are eligible. Priority will be given to industrial businesses located within Flood Zone A and the area of New York City impacted by an extensive power outage as a direct result of Hurricane Sandy. The scope of renovations may include repairs, in-kind replacements and reconstruction of facilities damages by the hurricane

Business owners in a federally declared disaster area may deduct the loss or partial loss of personal and business use property on your individual federal income tax return for the year you incurred the loss. If you paid taxes in the tax year immediately preceding the tax year in which the disaster occurred, you can elect to deduct your loss on a Form 1040x for the prior year instead of waiting to file your current year return. This will allow you to receive a refund of some or all of the taxes paid on your prior year return. For additional information, visit www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p2194.pdf or call the Disaster Assistance hotline at 1-866-562-5227.

Free legal services may be available for your business through FEMA to help provide you legal assistance with filing insurance claims, landlord issues, etc. Additional information on this can be found at: http://www.fema.gov/additional-assistance and http://www.disasterlegalaid.org/

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides financial assistance and direct services to individuals and households who, as a direct result of a major disaster, have necessary expenses and serious needs and are unable to meet such expenses or needs through other means. To register with FEMA, follow the instructions on the right. The
deadline to register for FEMA assistance is January 28, 2013.

Applicants should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent address, phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses. Additional details are provided on the following page.

In order to be eligible for disaster assistance from FEMA, you need to complete and application form. This will take approximately 20 minutes and should be done immediately. The deadline to register for FEMA assistance is January 28, 2013. There are three ways to register: 1) Apply online at FEMAs website: www.DisasterAssistance.gov, 2) Use a smartphone and visit FEMAs mobile website at m.fema.gov 3) Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) Monday through Sunday between the hours of 7am and 10pm.

Individuals whose homes are unlivable can Details on what you need to register are apply for rental payments for temporary included on the following page. housing. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements. To apply, you must first register with FEMA.

FEMA offers grants to affected residents and business owners for the following purposes: Making home repairs and replacing essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. Replacing personal property and helping meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs.

Affected residents are eligible for low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance. Loans are available for up to $200,000 for a primary residence and up to $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses. The filing deadline to return loan applications for physical property damage has been extended to January 28, 2013. The deadline to return economic injury loan applications is July 31, 2013.

Beginning Wednesday, December 12, 2012, New York City will begin implementing a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) for individuals and families in New York City zip codes most affected by Hurricane Sandy. From December 12 through December 18, households living in the designated zip codes that do not currently get regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) benefits can apply for DSNAP benefits to receive a onetime benefit equal to the maximum monthly regular SNAP benefit for the households size ($526 for a family of three). To be eligible for D-SNAP in New York City, applicants must: Not be a current SNAP recipient Have lived in one of these designated, hardest hit zip codes as of October 27, 2012: o Coney Island, Brooklyn (zip code 11224 and 11235) o Red Hook, Brooklyn (zip code 11231) o Gerritsen Beach South of Allen Avenue, Brooklyn (partial area of zip code 11229) o Lower East Side, Manhattan (zip code 10002) o Staten Island: Southeast shore (zip code 10306), and North Midland Beach South of Seaview Avenue (partial area of zip code 10305) o The Far Rockaways, Queens (zip codes 11691, 11692, 11693, 11694, and 11697) Must have sustained at least one of the following adverse effects due to the storm: o Storm-related damage to their households home or self-employment business o Paid other un-reimbursed disaster-related expenses between October 27 and November 25. (The cost of food lost due to the disaster is not an allowable expense, but the cost of meals purchased at restaurants because of the storm is allowable.) o Have lost income or been unable to access liquid resources (cash, bank accounts) between October 27 and November 25. Must meet the D-SNAP income guidelines.

Applicants, or authorized representatives applying on behalf of a household (see below for details), must apply in person at one of these two locations: 1. 495 Clermont Avenue in Downtown Brooklyn, from December 12 to December 18 between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. On the first two days, applications at this location will only be accepted alphabetically, according to the first initial of the applicants last name: A-M on Wednesday, December 12 and N-Z on Thursday, December 13. From Friday, December 14 to Tuesday, December 18 applications will be accepted regardless of applicants last name. 2. New Dorp High School Cafeteria, in Staten Island (465 New Dorp Lane): Friday, December 14, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, December 15-16, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Monday, December 17, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Applicants will need to bring any relevant documents to support their application. Applicants should bring documents that verify the following: Applicants must be able to verify their identity in order to receive D-SNAP benefits. Applicants who cannot verify their identity will have their applications denied immediately. Residency in one of the targeted zip codes on October 27, 2012.

Income during the period between October 27, 2012 and November 25, 2012. Un-reimbursed storm-related expenses paid between October 27, 2012 and November 25, 2012. Other documents verifying liquid resources (savings and checking accounts) and family composition also will be reviewed and will assist in determining eligibility. If applicants are not currently residing in their homes because of storm-related damage, they should provide a reliable alternative mailing address to which a benefit card can be mailed.

Under the D-SNAP guidelines, for a family of one, the monthly income limit is $2,268 with a benefit of $200; for a family of two is $2,965 limit with a $367 benefit; for a family of three is $3,416 limit with a $526 benefit; and, for a family of four is $4,034 limit with a $668 benefit. Eligible applicants with mobility issues may send a family member, friend or neighbor, to represent them and apply on their behalf. This authorized representative must be designated in writing by an adult member of the applying household, and must be very knowledgeable about the applicant households circumstances. They must be able to answer questions about income, resources, and other issues on the applicant households behalf and should bring all the necessary documentation mentioned above. Application forms will available at D-SNAP locations and can be downloaded as of December 11, 2012 from HRAs website at NYC.gov. New Yorks Additional Food Assistance Efforts

Counseling services are available through the Crisis Counseling and Assistance and Training Program (CCP). This assistance is paid for by FEMA in federally declared disaster areas. There are immediate grants to cover up to 60 days of counseling after the disaster, and grants can cover up to nine full months following a disaster. Additional information on this program can be found at: http://www.fema.gov/additional-assistance

To complete your registration with FEMA, you will need the following information:

You will be asked to provide your social security number; if you do not have a social security number, your household may still be eligible to receive assistance if there is a minor child in the household who is a U.S. Citizen, Non-Citizen National, or Qualified Alien with a social security number. (NOTE: If you, your spouse or a minor child in the household are a U.S. Citizen, NonCitizen National, or a Qualified Alien and do not have a social security number, FEMA will not be able to complete a registration. The Social Security number is required for Identity Verification purposes.) If you are registering for a business, enter the social security number of the responsible party for the business, the social security number will be used for an identifier only. If you are in need of further explanation/information call FEMA Helpline at (1-800-6213362).

You will be asked to identify the type(s) of insurance coverage you have.

You will be asked to enter your family's gross total household income at the time of the disaster.

Along with the address and phone number where the damages occurred, you will be asked for information on how FEMA can contact you. It is very important that you provide FEMA with your current mailing address and phone numbers where you can be contacted.

If you are determined to be eligible for assistance and would prefer that funds be transferred to your account, you will be asked for your banking information, which includes; the institution name, type of account, routing and account number.

If you have applied for assistance, you will need to complete a Declaration and Release Form (OMB form 009-0-3) on the following page and send it to: FEMA Individuals & Households Program National Processing Service Center P.O. Box 10055 Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055 Or fax it to: 1-800-827-8112

If you need help filling out this form, please call FEMAs helpline at 1-800-621-3362.

The frequently asked questions below are designed to help you safely clean-up your home or business and begin the process of rebuilding and getting back to work.

No, the Department of Buildings will be waiving all application and permit fees for repair work to buildings damaged by Hurricane Sandy. Buildings with significant structural damage in need of demolition, alterations or reconstruction will have all their repair work fees waived and all fees for electrical and plumbing repair work will be waived for any building damaged by the storm until further notice. To file a fee-exempt application, applicants must prepare the application normally and check the fee exempt box after entering the work cost information to waive the application and permit fees.

Yes, the LPC is allowing emergency work to commence without LPC permits for buildings impacted by Hurricane Sandy. However, once the condition is stabilized, an application must be submitted to the agency. If the work affects the removal or repair of an architectural feature, provide photographic documentation with the application and safe storage of the component. LPC is working to expedite permits for hurricane-related damage; all questions may be directed to info@lpc.nyc.gov or the public information officer Emily Rich at (212) 669-7817.

The NYC New Business Acceleration Team (NBAT) is working with other City agencies to assist food and beverage establishments impacted by Hurricane Sandy. If you are in the food and beverage industry, an NBAT client manager is available to help you assess what services you may need from the City to help you recover. Whether you need financial assistance, a visit from an inspector to help ensure your premise is safe or help understanding the City processes, NBAT is available to help. For fire suppression range hood systems affected by Hurricane Sandy: Replacing cooking equipment with the same system will be allowed by the Rangehood Unit. All equipment must be replaced in-kind. Upgrade of cooking equipment, must be filed with DOB & FDNY, NBAT will conduct the review on behalf of both agencies. All annual range hood inspections are still being conducted, except in the affected areas. The FDNY Range hood Unit will be able to accommodate requests from affected areas to postpone their annual inspections until after renovations have taken place.

Businesses who lost their DCA issued permits may receive replacements at no-cost. In order to receive a free license replacement, please inform the DCA staff that your permit was lost in Hurricane Sandy. DCA is offering business owners the opportunity to email staff to get answers to your questions or to reschedule an appointment/hearing date. Unit specific emails are listed below: Adjudication Tribunal mycase@dca.nyc.gov Collections (include business name, address, violation number) collectionsdivision@dca.nyc.gov Consumer Services consumerservices@dca.nyc.gov Legal Division DCALegal@dca.nyc.gov Licensing Center onlineappsdocs@dca.nyc.gov Testing Station scaleinspection@dca.nyc.gov

Yes, NYS Liquor Authority is working with liquor license applicants/holders to cope with the effects of Hurricane Sandy. SLA is offering various assistance which includes, but is not limited to: Providing a 60 day grace period for any license set to expire in November. Free replacement of licenses lost or damaged due to the storm. Extending the deadline for New Years Eve all night permits from November 16 to December 1. Providing an additional 60 days for business owners to satisfy the requirements of their conditional approvals. Deferring civil penalties due between October 26 November 30 for an additional 30 days from the original due date.

Employers are covered under the Federal Fair labor Standards Act (FLSA), which defines whether an employee gets paid when a business is closed. If the employee falls under the exempt status, as many salaried employees are, they are entitled to be paid. If the employee falls under the non-exempt status, the employer is not required to pay the employee for hours not worked while the business was closed. For details on whether your employees would classify as exempt or non-exempt, you can visit the U.S. Department of Labors website at: http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/hrg.htm#.UKVrGMWHJ8E Although some employers may opt to deduct time from an employee's accrued vacation and leave for the period an employee remains out of work after the storm, employers should be wary that collective bargaining agreements or employment contracts may limit the right to deduct from an employee's accrued vacation or leave time.

Yes, the following guidelines have been created for restaurants and other food service establishments affected by Hurricane Sandy either due to flooding, power outages or food contamination. If you have any questions, please contact the Bureau of Food Safety and Community Sanitation by telephone at (347) 396-2105, (347) 396-2153, (347) 396-2135, or (347) 396-2133. General Guidelines for Clean-up: Food service establishments should have power restored before resuming operations. Some clean-up, particularly removing and discarding spoiled food, destroyed equipment and water damaged furnishings may begin immediately. Food and Beverages: Food that has been exposed to flood water, including sealed and open packages, boxes, cans, produce and meat must be discarded to avoid foodborne illness. Boxes must be opened and the food denatured and discarded. If you remove the labels from canned products, you may wash and sanitize the cans twice before opening and using the product. Potentially hazardous food that was not flooded, but reached temperatures of 41 degrees Fahrenheit or above, must be denatured and discarded. This may include, but is not limited to: meat (beef, poultry, lamb, seafood, etc.); milk, cream, cream based preparations; and soups, stews, casseroles or similar prepared dishes. If power was restored to your facility before you returned, the refrigeration units and the food within them may have returned to safe temperatures. However, it is likely that the food has been out of temperature for long lengths of time, allowing bacteria and other pathogens that can cause foodborne illness to grow. Heat treatment may not be sufficient to render this food safe, so please denature and discard these potentially hazardous items. Pouring bleach or a colored detergent on food (add food coloring if possible) is an acceptable way to denature food, an essential practice to assure the food is not salvaged. Equipment: Thoroughly clean and sanitize all equipment that may have been exposed to contamination. Refrigerators and freezers and other equipment with fiberglass insulation must be checked to see if the insulation was exposed to flood water. If it was exposed, it must be removed and replaced. Styrofoam or closed cell polyurethane insulation may be cleaned but it is best to check with the manufacturer. A licensed electrician should thoroughly inspect electrical components (including wiring, compressors and switches) to determine if they should be replaced. Check water heaters particularly if flood water got into the gas burner, electrical parts or insulation. Walk-in Coolers: If walk-ins have been flooded, the floors and walls should be cleaned and sanitized. If flood waters rose above panels with holes are otherwise not intact, the panel should be replaced. Those with wood floors will need to have the flooring replaced. Furnishings: Porous or absorbent furniture and fixtures should be discarded if they have come in contact with flood water. This includes upholstered furniture, tables and booths that cannot be effectively cleaned and sanitized. Paper and disposable products that have been in contact with flood water should also be discarded. Walls and Ceilings: Sheetrock, insulation or ceiling tiles that have been soaked by flood waters should be removed to at least 30 inches above the waterline. Paneling may be removed and saved but air should circulate around wall cavities to dry the studs and the sills, which do not

have to be replaced if dried properly. Flooded portions of studs and sills should be treated with a biocide such as a bleach and water solution to avoid mold or mildew growth. Floors and Ceilings: You should remove linoleum or tile that has been flooded to clean and dry wooden subfloors. This will prevent mold growth in the future. If this cannot be done immediately, you may clean and sanitize the area and replace the flooring at a later date. If flooring is on a concrete slab, only damaged or loose tiles need to be removed. Linoleum or vinyl tile may be saved if you can clean and sanitize them. Carpeting, padding or foam rubber, including padding under tiles, must be thrown away if soaked by flood waters. Duct Work: Duct work for heat or air conditioning that was submerged need to be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. You will need to replace sections of duct where this is not possible. Insulation around duct work or ducts made of compressed fiberglass must be replaced. Please remember: all equipment, furniture, walls, and floors in your establishment need to be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. This should be done twice to ensure that you remove flood residue that may contaminate food.

Yes, NYC Rapid Repairs is a new program to send teams of contractors and City inspectors to neighborhoods affected by Hurricane Sandy to quickly repair damaged homes. This program is for property owners only. If you rent your home and there are unsafe conditions, you should call 311. Step 1: Home Assessment The first step to sign up for NYC Rapid Repairs is an assessment of the damage in your home. Assessments are free. An assessment will not affect any other FEMA benefits you may receive. Sign up for an NYC Rapid Repairs assessment by visiting NYC.gov, calling 311, or visiting one of seven Restoration Centers (see box on the right for locations). If you are a homeowner and applying to cover damages to your primary residence, you will need a FEMA number to register for NYC Rapid Repairs.

As of December 11, 2012, Restoration Centers locations were open for business daily at the seven locations below. Restoration Centers can provide assistance with the NYC Rapid Repairs program, food and nutrition assistance, temporary housing, health and medical benefits, business restoration, counseling services, financial assistance, and personal records. Red Hook Hours: 8 AM - 6 PM Coffey Park 85 Richards Street Brooklyn, 11231 Gravesend Hours: 8 AM - 6 PM SSA Building 10 Bouck Ct. Brooklyn, 11223 Far Rockaway Hours: 8 AM - 8 PM 10-01 Beach 20th St. Queens, 11691 Staten Island Hours: 8 AM - 6 PM 1976 Hylan Boulevard Coney Island Hours: 8 AM - 6 PM MCU Park 1904 Surf Avenue Brooklyn, 112224 Fort Tilden Hours: 8 AM - 6 PM 415 State Road (across from St. Genevieve's ) Queens, 11697 Arverne Hours: 8 AM - 8 PM Shorefront B and C 68-20 Rockaway Beach Boulevard Queens, 11692

After you sign up for an assessment, a representative of Tishman Construction will contact you within 48 hours to schedule an appointment at your home. An Assessment Team comprised of an electrician, a plumber, and an architect or engineer will arrive at the scheduled time to inspect your home. The Assessment Team will present you with a list of necessary repairs to make your home safe for living. Step 2: Making Repairs After you receive your list of repairs from your assessment, you will have the opportunity to sign up for NYC Rapid Repairs. If they so choose, homeowners still have the option of having repairs made through their insurance company or with a standard reimbursement from FEMA. If they choose NYC Rapid Repairs, the City will handle getting the contractors in and getting the work done. There are two ways to sign up for NYC Rapid Repairs:

If you see downed electrical wires, do not go near them. Treat all downed wires as if they are live. Never attempt to move or touch them with any object. Be mindful that downed wires can be hidden from view by tree limbs, leaves or water. Report all downed wires to Con Edison by calling 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633). You can also report downed power lines, outages, and check service restoration status at www.conEd.com. If your power goes out, turn off all lights and appliances to prevent overloaded circuits when power is restored. Avoid opening your freezer to see if food is still frozen. Every time you open the door, room-temperature air enters and speeds the thawing process. Most fully loaded freezers will keep food frozen for approximately 36 to 48 hours; half-full freezers will keep food frozen for approximately 24 hours.

Option A: You can register for NYC Rapid Repairs at your home with your Assessment Team. If you would like the Citys contractors to make repairs to your home, the Assessment Team will ask you to sign a waiver to allow the Citys contractors to make repairs in your home and will share your information and the scope of work with the Citys contractors. The Citys contractors will contact you to schedule the repairs to your home.

Option B: If you would like to discuss the repairs with your family, your insurance company, or are not ready to register for NYC Rapid Repairs with your Assessment Team, you can register for NYC Rapid Repairs by calling 311 at any time. Please note that you will need a FEMA ID number to participate in Rapid Repairs, which you can get by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov, calling 1-800-621-3362, or visiting one of the NYC Restoration Centers. The NYC Rapid Repairs teams will work closely with City agencies, including the Department of Buildings and Department of Housing Preservation and Development, to make sure that any necessary inspections and certifications are done as quickly as possible. Homes eligible for NYC Rapid Repairs will be those who have received a green placard from the Department of Buildings, indicating that the home is structurally sound.

If your basement is severely flooded, take precautions before pumping out the water. Water in your basement may be helping to stabilize the basement walls against pressure from the outside. If you drain your basement too quickly, the outsize pressure can cause the basement floor and walls to crack and collapse. Be sure the electricity is off before entering a flooded basement. For insurance purposes, its also a good idea to take pictures of the flooding before beginning work. When the water is no longer covering the ground surrounding your house, you can begin pumping the water from your basement. CAUTION: Do not use gasoline-powered pumps or generators indoors as they produce deadly carbon monoxide exhaust fumes. In the case of severe flooding, pump out the water in stages. Decrease water level by 2 to 3 feet, mark the water level, and wait overnight. If the water went back up overnight and covered your mark, its too early to drain your basement. In these cases, wait another 24 hours and repeat this process.

If you smell natural gas contact National Grid as soon as possible: Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island: 718-643-4050 On Long Island and the Rockaways: 1-800-490-0045 If you do not smell natural gas but have no gas service: Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island: 718-643-4050 On Long Island and the Rockaways: 1-800-930-5003 If your appliances have been in contact with water, please contact a licensed plumbing or heating contractor to make sure the appliances are safe to operate. If your gas service was off for safety reasons, please contact a licensed plumbing or heating contractor before contacting National Grid. The licensed plumbing or heating contractor will make sure that your service is safe to restore.

Source: FloodSafe, a Publication of FEMA and WMD Emergency Management Division and Washington Military Department, Emergency Management Division (http://www.emd.wa.gov/ preparedness/FloodSafe_HowTo.shtml)

Drying and disinfecting the basement of your business is critically important to prevent the growth of dangerous mold. Use a shovel to remove any mud from your basement. Mud left behind by floodwaters poses a health hazard and will be more difficult to remove after it dries. Wash off the walls and floors with clean water and then disinfect them with a solution of 1 12 cups of liquid chlorine bleach to a gallon of fresh water. CAUTION: NEVER mix bleach and ammonia cleaning products. This will produce deadly chlorine gas. Clean and disinfect all vents or registers of heating and air conditioning ducts, the wall covers for wall switches and outlets, and any flexible ducting, including dryer connections that were exposed to water.

 Check your water system, including drains and utility connections, for leaks, breaks, and loose fittings. Before turning on the electricity, check your incoming electrical service for any damage. Replace any wiring, switches and/or outlets that were submerged or got wet during the flood. We recommend you retain the services of a certified professional. To help dry out your home and reduce odors, run fans and dehumidifiers. Depending on the severity of flooding and type of the building materials used in your basement, all or part of your walls may need to be replaced. Wallboard that has been soaked by floodwater can present a permanent health hazard. Plaster and paneling can often be saved, but you will need to get air circulating in the wall cavities to dry the studs and sills.
Source: FloodSafe, a Publication of FEMA and WMD Emergency Management Division; Washington Military Department, Emergency Management Division (http://www.emd.wa.gov/preparedness/FloodSafe_HowTo.shtml); NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/ehs/guidance- post-irene.pdf); and the Red Cross and FEMA, Repairing Your Flooded Home

Exposure to mold can have serious health effects including allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints. It is important to clean up mold as soon as you notice it to prevent serious problems. For small amounts of mold (less than 3 feet by 3 feet), you should be able to handle the clean-up yourself. For large jobs or if you have any mold allergies, you should contact a certified professional who has experience with mold removal. If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, a professional is also highly recommended. Wear waterproof gloves, goggles and a face mask when cleaning. Scrubbing the mold off hard surfaces using soap or a detergent and water, then dry completely Throw away anything that touches the mold, including absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet. Keep a close eye on surfaces to ensure that the mold does not come back. If mold continues to reappear, consult a professional.
Source: Environmental Protection Agency, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home (http://www.epa.gov/mold/pdfs/moldguide.pdf) and NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/ehs/ehsfloods.shtml)

For additional assistance, contact the Public Advocates hotline at 212-669-7250 or email gethelp@pubadvocate.nyc.gov.