A superstorm Sandy lexicon

With superstorm Sandy came catastrophe's special lexicon -- ICC, NFIP, HMGP, HUD, CDBG.

Owners of homes that sustained "substantial damage" -- that is, damage amounting to 50 percent or more of the structure's pre-storm market value -- have three basic options: elevate, demolish or take a government-subsidized buyout.

Here's a glossary for those navigating the alphabet soup of post-Sandy government programs.

You may file an ICC claim in two instances:

1. Your community determines your home or business sustained "substantial damage"

SEE PHOTOSAerial views of Sandy damage

2. Your community has a "repetitive loss provision" in its floodplain management ordinance and determines your home or business was damaged by a flood two times in the past 10 years. The cost to repair the damage from the flooding, on average, must have equaled or exceeded 25 percent of its market value at the time of each flood, and there must have been flood insurance claim payments for each of the two flood losses.

For more information: Call your insurance company or agent or the National Flood Insurance Program toll-free at 800-427-4661. TDD# 800-427-5593.

Online: http://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program-2/increased-cost-compliance-coverage

SEE PHOTOSSandy's impact on Long Island

FEMA can fund up to 75 percent of the eligible costs of each project. The state or municipality provides a 25 percent match, which can be a combination of cash and in-kind sources. Funding from other federal sources cannot be used for the 25 percent share, with one exception: Funding provided to states under HUD's Community Development Block Grant program can be used to meet the nonfederal share requirement.

The NYS Office of Emergency Management requests "letters of intent" from local municipalities on behalf of property owners. This has not yet occurred. Homeowners cannot make applications directly to the state or to FEMA.

Online: http://www.fema.gov/application-development-process/hazard-mitigation-grant-programs-frequently-ask-questions

SEE PHOTOSLI's Sandy deaths: A look at the victims

The block grants will go to the state as a "grantee." It, in turn, will funnel the money to "subgrantees," local governments and nonprofits that have identified unmet needs in specific categories, such as housing, public infrastructure and flood control. Details on specific projects and their prioritization of projects are not yet known.

Long Islanders can register for the state's proposed housing and business assistance programs at www.nysandyhelp.ny.gov, or call the state's Sandy helpline at 855-NYS-SANDY for further information.

Online: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/comm_planning/communitydevelopment/programs/drsi