Hurricane Irene victims receive welcoming hand from FEMA, IRS, and USDA

With a questionable future facing victims of Hurricane Irene, CNBC reports that the IRS has chosen to extend tax payment deadlines for anyone affected by Hurricane Irene…individuals and businesses. The tax extensions apply to individuals living in the municipalities and counties of Puerto Rico, New York state, North Carolina and New Jersey.  

FEMA will continue to assess the hurricane damages of affected taxpayers with three approaches---preparation, response and recovery---while individual and

For further extensions, the IRS has suggested that U.S. taxpayers and tax practitioners who assist taxpayers, view “Tax Relief in Disaster Situations” on the IRS.gov website. Routinely check the IRS website for further updates and notifications for affected areas and also the FEMA site for changes and updates.

Meanwhile, the USDA reports their departments have deployed personnel and resources to assist local, state and federal authorities in their response efforts to Hurricane Irene. USDA assistance is coming in the form of food, emergency assistance and other resources to the worst affected areas. They are also working closely with partners for long-term needs of the victims.

According to Insurance News Net:

• ·         Farmers, ranchers, producers, landowners and rural communities should contact a local USDA Farm Service Agency Service Center to report damages to crops or livestock loss.
• ·         Contact a local Rural Development office for housing, business or community assistance information.
• ·         Contact a local Natural Resources Conservation Service office for help with debris removal.
• ·         For farmers who have crop or physical damage, contact the local Farm Service Agency Service Center as soon as possible.
• ·         If in a county declared by FEMA as a disaster designation, emergency loans are available to agricultural producers through the Farm Service Agency Emergency Loan Program for crop and livestock production or physical losses.

Additional assistance may be available through Farm Service Agency Emergency Conservation Program funds, depending on available funding. Held where authorized by FSA State Committees.

At this time, over one million pounds of non-perishable USDA Foods valued at $1.2 million dollars were approved to individuals and families in the disaster path of Hurricane Irene for the time frame of August 26 to September 2. As more damage is assessed, the USDA will offer the following additional assistance:

• ·         Housing assistance
• ·         Community assistance
• ·         Business assistance
• ·         Utility assistance

Additional information about these assistance programs, safety tips and updates about USDA's hurricane relief efforts are posted on the Web at www.usda.gov/disaster. Click on the hurricane relief link.

Rural Development state office contact information is available at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/Home.html

Information about the U.S. Government's hurricane response efforts is available at www.ready.gov.

Hurricane Irene Update 8/25/11 - American Red Cross in Greater NY