Rep. Pallone Secures $4.3 Million for Constituents So Far This Year

Responded to over 4,000 constituent concerns and assisted more than 750 constituents

News Release 7/19/13

LONG BRANCH – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced that he has helped secure $4,325,055 so far in 2013 for constituents seeking help through his district office. This assistance includes Sandy related FEMA grants and SBA loans, Social Security payments and other compensations that residents of the 6th Congressional District required help to secure. In addition, Congressman Pallone responded to over 4,250 constituent concerns related to policy and legislation through the mail, email and personal phone calls, and reached constituents through two tele-townhalls and countless community events this year.

“Whether constituents have a concern about a federal policy or need assistance navigating the federal bureaucracy, I want them to know we’re here to help,” said Congressman Pallone. “I am grateful that so many residents of the 6th District have turned to us for assistance, especially as we work to recover and rebuild from Sandy together, and I hope that they continue to use my office as a resource.”

In all, Congressman Pallone assisted more than 750 individual constituents with cases before the federal government so far in 2013, and wrote numerous letters of support for grants in the district.

“I consider direct constituent service a top priority,” added Congressman Pallone. “I always appreciate hearing from my constituents, and I encourage them to stay in touch.”

Rep. Pallone Announces More than $1 Million to Repair Bayshore Sewerage Facilities

News Release 7/18/13

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced $1,036,717 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding to Bayshore Regional Sewerage Authority (BRSA) to repair Superstorm Sandy damage to three of their facilities: the Main Pump Station, the Maintenance Building, and the Grit Facility.

“Sandy severely damaged critical components of infrastructure at BRSA, and this grant will help make very important repairs affecting the Bayshore’s sewerage system, including disinfecting parts of the facilities, fixing and replacing pumps, other machinery and electric circuits,” said Pallone. “While this grant represents only a portion of the cost that BRSA incurred from the storm, I will continue to work to see that they receive the funds they need.”

BRSA serves Hazlet, Union Beach, Holmdel, Aberdeen, Keansburg, Keyport, Matawan and parts of Marlboro. BRSA suffered extensive flooding as a result of Sandy causing damages of $20 million. This grant to BRSA is awarded in addition to a $2.4 million FEMA grant announced in February of this year to repair damage done to the raw sewage main pump station.

Rep. Pallone Announces More than $1.6 Million for New Jersey Re-employment Programs

Calls for House Republicans to Pass Comprehensive Jobs Bill

News Release 7/16/13

LONG BRANCH – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced $1,687,439 to New Jersey for re-employment programs in the state that include personalized assessments and plans for individuals receiving unemployment benefits.

“It’s outrageous that House Republicans have yet to pass a comprehensive jobs bill this Congress, but luckily this grant will provide personalized assistance to many New Jereseyans who are out of work,” said Pallone. “While this funding and the re-employment program will be helpful to many unemployed New Jerseyans, it is ultimately too little, too late. Congress should be voting on legislation to grow the economy and create jobs, but instead House Republicans have already announced their plans to bring up legislation that undermines the benefits of the Affordable Care Act this week.”

The funds from U.S. Department of Labor for New Jersey will be used to provide unemployment insurance beneficiaries with personalized, re-employment plans based on the claimant’s career interests and the local labor market. These assessments are done in-person and participants will receive referrals to re-employment services and/or training provided by local American Job Centers or One-StopCareer Centers. These centers are located throughout New Jersey and designed to provide a full range of assistance to job seekers under one roof, offering training referrals, career counseling, job listings, and similar employment-related services. Customers can visit a center in person or connect to the center’s information online.

Through this grant, the re-employment program also allows for a complete review of the claimants eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits to help reduce incidences of improper payments.

Pallone Announces More than $59 Million to Clear Debris from NJ Waterways

News Release 7/16/13

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced $59,741,909 in new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding to reimburse the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the use of contractors to remove an estimated 850,000 cubic yards of sand and other sediment from waterways in the central region of the state. The additional sand and sediment as a result of Superstorm Sandy were potential threats to navigation in the waterways.

“Getting New Jersey back to pre-Sandy conditions remains my number one priority,” said Pallone. “The state faced so many unanticipated costs after Sandy, and it is necessary that FEMA help cover the costs after such a statewide emergency. New Jersey’s navigable waterways are used for commerce, travel, and leisure, and I’m pleased that this very sizable grant will help in removing threatening or impassable blocks.”

This FEMA grant covers 90% of the entire project, which includes the removal of sand and sediment that may block the waterways and verification that the waterways are not longer threatened with debris. All debris will be recycled or disposed of in accordance with local, state, and federal guidelines.

HUD Responds to Pallone’s Call to Revise Provision that Kept New Jerseyans from Grants

News Release 7/16/13

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) responded to Congressman Frank Pallone Jr.’s (NJ-06) call to revise a policy that has kept New Jerseyans impacted by Sandy from receiving Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) they were promised.

“This policy change is a victory for homeowners who were told to apply for SBA loans even though they may not have been able to afford the terms of the loan,” said Pallone. “With this new policy, homeowners who declined SBA loans will now be eligible for critical CDBG grants that will enable them to rebuild and recover from this historic storm.”

After Superstorm Sandy hit, HUD encouraged homeowners to apply for loans even if they were not certain if they wanted a loan. Many New Jersey residents could not afford to repay the terms of a loan and therefore desperately need the assistance being offered through CDBG grants.

Prior to HUD’s announcement today, the State felt that it did not have the ability to give CDBG grants to those who applied for SBA loans and declined the loan even though they needed CDBG funds. The HUD policy change announced today in response to a letter from Congressman Pallone sent July 12, 2013 gives New Jersey the flexibility to provide CDBG grants to those who declined SBA loans as long as the State identifies why the SBA loan was declined and establishes why CDBG assistance is appropriate for the applicant.

“Without the CDBG grants they needed, many New Jerseyans were faced with the decision between debt or not rebuilding. I’m relieved that HUD responded to my concerns and has revised this unfair policy,” added Pallone.