By Layla Kalinen
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
Senators Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch, along with Representative Becca Balint, are listening to Vermonters.
Senator Sanders began his address by comforting Vermonters at Wednesday’s flood relief town meeting conducted by phone and online.
“I don’t have to explain to anybody who has been impacted by the flooding as to what that has meant,” he said. “It has disrupted people’s lives; it has driven them out of their homes and businesses and run up huge bills. Pure and simple, this has been a disaster for Vermont during the last several weeks.
“Governor [Phil] Scott, Senator Welch, Congressman Balint and I have been working hard to make sure that the federal government responds as effectively and rapidly as it can,” Sanders continued. “People are hurting and they need help as soon as possible. I’m appreciative that the Biden administration has been supportive of those efforts.”
He said the meeting was designed to inform the state’s residents about programs they may qualify for and share information about the application process, which can be complicated.
Sanders added that he was advocating for the state’s residents as a key liaison between Scott and the Biden administration.
“More than 2,600 Vermonters have applied for individual assistance,” Sanders said. “FEMA has visited over 6,000 homes and more than 330 businesses. The agency has approved 684 individual assistance applications so far totaling over $4 million in aid to Vermonters. And, the SBA has approved $770,000 for 16 loans to homeowners as we speak.”
“Some 450 FEMA staff are in Vermont assessing damage and assisting with sign ups,” he continued. “Fourteen teams are going door-to-door to help residents sign up for FEMA. I should also mention that the federal delegation has written to the private insurance companies in the state to make sure that they treat all Vermonters with respect and payout the claims that policy holders are entitled to;”
Senator Sander promised Vermonters support, especially with the processing of insurance claims.
“If people are having problems with their private insurance companies, please don’t hesitate to give our offices a ring,” he said.
A recording of the meeting can be found on Sanders’ Facebook page.
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