New Yorkers across the state suffered greatly from several weather events in July and August, some of which caused severe damage to their homes. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced New York State’s Homes and Community Renewal Grant, which is providing up to $50,000 in funding for homeowners to use for emergency repair funds and reimbursements.

“It is a very generous income qualification on this grant,” said Danielle Smith, the CEO of the Home Ownership Center in Utica, which is administering the applications for Oneida and Madison counties.

“It is for critical home repairs. So basically, if a tree fell and left a hole in your lawn, they’re not going to cover that. But critical home repairs, things health and safety, your roof was damaged, siding, your entry way, things like that. It can also help with if you have a power surge or a flooding, and it damaged appliances, sunk pumps, things like that,” Smith explained.

She said even if you paid for damage out of pocket, still apply for reimbursement.

“If you have submitted to your insurance company and they have not responded to you, so it’s a pending claim, please still fill out the application, get the completed application in,” said Smith.

Smith said there is a place to put a pending insurance claim on the application and once you’re approved, it holds your spot.

“If insurance comes back and says you’re approved, OK, now there’s a spot for someone else. But if they come back and deny you, or only give you partial claim, you can then put that in and get reimbursed,” said Smith.

And along with the application, contractor estimates are required.

“They do want to see estimates from two contractors to ensure that you’re really getting a fair cost. But if you can only find one that’s fine, take the one, submit it with the application,” said Smith.

The application for this grant must be submitted by Oct. 7.