$200 million in Sandy relief funds available for New York health needs

On July 25, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that $200 million in federal funding to New York State will be available to meet healthcare and human service needs that resulted from Hurricane Sandy.

The money – which will be funneled through the state government — is from the Superstorm Sandy Supplemental Social Services Block Grant, and will be utilized to cover expenses such as social, health and mental health services for Sandy victims, as well as the renovation of healthcare facilities, mental hygiene facilities and child care facilities.

“During and after Superstorm Sandy, New York State’s health and human service providers performed critical work for New Yorkers, and they continue to be essential resources to communities recovering from the storm,” Cuomo said.

“These organizations serve the needs of many of the state’s most vulnerable residents including our seniors, children and low-income families, and in their line of work, they have also suffered financial losses and damage to their facilities from the storm,” Cuomo added. “This funding will provide the support they need to continue helping their communities, and I urge those impacted to apply for this assistance.”

The plan was originally submitted to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services on June 30; it was approved on July 22. The money will be distributed through a public and transparent request for proposals.

Service providers can submit applications for funding through August 30, 2013. More information and a link to the application is available at nysandyhelp.ny.gov/content/sandy-social-services-block-grant-ssbg-funding.