Red Cross Announces Extended Deadline Of October 31 For Assistance In Conjunction With EPA Cleaning Program

American Red Cross
Wednesday, 1 October 2003

Encourages 9-11 Affected Downtown Residents to Call for Assistance

The American Red Cross September 11 Recovery Program (SRP) is announcing an extended deadline of October 31 for financial assistance for replacement of home furnishings and temporary housing in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Indoor Air Residential Assistance - WTC Dust Clean Up Program, for which the deadline for application was July 2003.

Red Cross urges downtown residents who participated in the EPA program and still need assistance with reimbursements for replacement of home furnishings or temporary housing costs, to contact the SRP Red Cross Client Assistance Call Center at 1-877-746-4987 by October 31, 2003. In order to be eligible for financial assistance for costs associated with the EPA cleaning program, residents must present documentation provided by the EPA verifying that their home was cleaned, that certain items required replacement or that they had to leave their home during the cleaning.

To date, the Red Cross has assisted nearly 900 lower Manhattan residents with costs associated with the replacement of damaged or contaminated home furnishings and relocation to local hotels while their homes were being cleaned or tested by the EPA.

"We are pleased that hundreds of families have safely returned home with the help of this program." said Alan Goodman, SRP Executive Director. "We encourage other residents who have not yet sought reimbursement for costs associated with the EPA cleaning to come forward before the deadline. Although this particular program is ending, we continue to help families who lost loved ones, those who were seriously injured, affected residents and rescue and recovery personnel with a variety of services including access to mental health and health care, direct financial assistance, support meetings and other community resources."

For assistance information and referral, please call 1-877-746-4987.

The American Red Cross September 11 Recovery Program (SRP) provides a broad range of assistance and support to those most directly affected by the attacks including service coordination, access to mental health and health care, coverage of health insurance costs, direct financial assistance and group meetings offering support and information about Red Cross and other community resources. In addition, SRP continues to assist affected downtown residents who suffered damage to or loss of their homes during the disaster with financial assistance for uncovered costs related to their displacement, as well as mental health assistance and assignment of a Family Support Specialist for referrals or assistance with other needs. For information on services provided by SRP call (877) 746-4987 [TDD (800) 662-1220] or visit www..redcross.org/september11/help.

For more information, or to contact American Red Cross, see their website at: www.redcross.org