Gillibrand bill would bar Feds from recouping superstorm Sandy grantsi

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is scheduled to introduce legislation Tuesday that would bar federal officials from recouping state-administered grants given to victims of superstorm Sandy who also received federal loans to rebuild their homes.

The bill addresses a “duplication of benefits” that arose after hundreds of Sandy victims who got Small Business Administration loans, mainly before the installation of NY Rising’s homeowner programs, then received more funds through the state-run federal relief program.

Federal law generally prevents aid recipients from double-dipping — or receiving money from two funds to pay for the same item or service.

Gillibrand, (D-N.Y.), said the bill, the Sandy Duplication of Benefits Fairness Act, would authorize the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to waive the law's requirements for Long Islanders. If the bill passes, it would help about 200 homeowners and block federal officials from collecting the debt, which Gillibrand said was unfairly accrued.

Read more: https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/kirsten-gillibrand-superstorm-sandy-1.37998306