Law requires quarterly reports on unpaid Sandy claims

A new law will require the Cuomo administration to report quarterly on unresolved cases and unpaid disaster claims stemming from superstorm Sandy, officials said.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed the measure, which supporters said will increase oversight of "New York Rising," the state's storm recovery program.

"This bipartisan legislation will lend much needed sunlight to the storm recovery process," Assemb. Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach), who sponsored the bill along with Sen. Tom Croci (R-Sayville), said in a news release Friday. "This issue transcends party affiliation and I am encouraged by our ability to work across the aisle to assist storm victims."

Kevin Reilly, founder of Long Beach Rising, added that the new law is "a great start on understanding where the Sandy recovery money is really going, who is getting help, and who is still struggling."

In a memo supporting the bill, Croci and Kaminsky said more than 5,000 Long Island households that qualified for disaster aid after the 2012 storm have not received it from New York Rising. The state Assembly and Senate approved the bill in the final days of the 2015 legislative session.

Croci said the law will shed light on the status of the recovery for government officials, who have been in the dark regarding how many constituents are struggling through the state's aid process.

"The goal of this legislation is to get the remaining cases closed and let's move on with our lives," Croci said Saturday at a news conference in front of a waterfront home in Oakdale that is being elevated five feet. "It's three years later, and it's about time."

SEE PHOTOSSandy's destruction

Richard Koster, who has lived in the Shore Drive house since 1978, said since Sandy flooded the home with a foot of water, he has struggled through the state's aid process with six or seven case workers.

"It's three years now, which went kind of quick," he said. "Hopefully in another six months we'll be done and past this and won't have to worry about it again."Croci called it a "tremendous victory for every Sandy victim in New York State."

"My office has been in daily contact with Sandy disaster victims and we have heard over and over the difficulties they have had trying to navigate the requirements of New York Rising to receive the disaster funds they are due," Croci said in a statement. "They are frustrated and tired."

Kaminsky said the law requires the Cuomo administration to "provide, among other things, the total number of active single-family applicants who have been fully paid under the program, partially paid under the program or those who have yet to be paid."

SEE PHOTOSAerial views of Sandy damage

The first report is to be issued on Feb. 15.

-- With Will James