FEMA Boosts Aid to New Jersey Towns Hit by Sandy

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has OK’d a plan to boost aid to New Jersey towns hit hard by Superstorm Sandy.

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, who represents Monmouth and Ocean Counties, says FEMA will reimburse communities at a rate of 90 percent for certain expenses related to the October storm.

Smith met with FEMA administrator Craig Fugate earlier this month to ask for an increase and talk about recovery efforts.

He says the move for the federal government to pay 90 percent of certain recovery costs, up from 75 percent, will make the path forward a little easier and help with municipal budget planning.

Smith says the plan will provide an immediate and additional $262 million for already obligated funding and will cover all additional local government approved funding.