The funds were approved from a large part of the state, including Bergen, Burlington, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Union and Warren Counties.

Officials set a deadline of Jan. 5 to apply for SBA funds, which are only available to companies, homeowners and renters in Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Union counties.

Serving residents who lost a car as a result of the tropical storm and need to access essential services, the additional funding benefits the partnership with NJ 211, Uber and Lyft.

“Public and private sector partners have been essential to the state’s COVID recovery efforts, and these partnerships remain critical as we work to assist businesses and nonprofits … recovering from the damage and economic disruption caused by recent severe weather,” reads a statement from NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan.

Unsafe conditions ranged from a lack of adequate equipment for roof repairs, to inadequate safety gear for demolitions and tree removals, according to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Not able to work, prohibited from getting to work, or lost a family member making you the primary bread winner because of the recent storm? If so, you could be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.

Businesses there can apply for low-interest loans from the SBA for up to $2 million to cover the costs of physical damages, and business interruption stemming from the storm.

Tim Sullivan – head of the NJEDA, which is overseeing the $10.5 million pool of money – said there’s plenty to go around before applications close on Sept. 24.

New Jersey’s congressional delegation is seeking federal appropriations for the state’s businesses, as Washington did following Superstorm Sandy, but that effort faces uncertainty.

Essex, Hudson, Morris, Mercer and Union can now receive financial relief for residents, homeowners and businesses that were struck by the tropical storm.

The scope of funding from the state and federal governments to help businesses recover from Isa is limited, but slowly expanding.

For the next two weeks, state residents that suffered the loss of a vehicle can text NJIDARIDE to 898-211 to request a ride. Those without access to a smartphone can dial 2-1-1, the hotline for the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, from any phone line.