The program will include brief presentations from various federal, state and local government agencies and private groups and question and answer sessions. Representatives will remain after the formal part of the program to speak with individuals and take applications. The event is open to the public and is free of charge. No RSVP or advance reservations are required.

Touro Law Center Dean Patricia Salkin said, “This program is part of the school’s ongoing commitment to helping the Long Island community recover from the storm. The timing is especially important because deadlines are fast approaching for several types of storm-related assistance, such as FEMA claims (January 28) and unemployment insurance (February 4).”

There will be representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); the US Small Business Administration (disaster loans and other business help); the New York State Department of Financial Services (insurance issues); the New York State Department of Labor (unemployment insurance); the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency (Emergency Sales Tax Relief Program); the Small Business Development Center-State University of New York at Stony Brook (Empire State Development Corporation $10 Million Small Business Emergency Loan Fund).

Private groups in attendance will include the Touro Law Center Hurricane Emergency Assistance and Relief Team (TLC-HEART), volunteer lawyers and law students who make referrals to federal, state and local government agencies and private groups and arrange for pro bono legal representation; and the Health & Welfare Council of Long Island, a regional non-profit that has produced an invaluable Disaster Assistance Rescue Resource Guide.