New York to get $6.3 billion in Sandy aid in 2014: Schumer

There's more money on the way for New Yorkers still suffering from the effects of Superstorm Sandy a year later.

New York state will get $6.3 billion in aid next year for recovery efforts, with about $1.4 billion going directly to homeowners, Sen. Charles Schumer said yesterday.

The senator's office released a progress report on Sandy aid, which said that, on top of the $1.4 billion that will go to homeowners, another $2.5 billion will be available from FEMA; $1.5 billion will go to transportation projects; $274 million will be placed in health funds; and the rest will go to assorted projects and efforts.

"The spigot is finally on, and the aid is now flowing," Schumer said. "Things moved too slow in the first year -- there were bureaucratic hurdles to overcome and red tape to cut -- but now the programs are up and running."

Schumer added: "New Yorkers will see an estimated $6.3 billion in aid next year, which is enough to rebuild almost every house, and create a community that is much stronger than before."

New York got a $60.2 billion Sandy relief bill within 90 days of the storm, and, according to Schumer's report, about one-third has been spent so far.