Congresswoman Maloney Holds Legal Clinic for Residents and Businesses Affected by Blackout, Announces Con Edison’s Waiver of 30-Day Deadline to File Claims

QUEENS, NY - Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-Queens & Manhattan) yesterday convened a forum to provide free legal counsel to Queens residents and business owners affected by last month’s ten-day blackout.  Akiro Arroyo and Jeannine Chanes, Director and General Counsel of the City Bar Justice Center’s Neighborhood Entrepreneurship Law Project joined other volunteer attorneys meeting with Queens residents and merchants at the event.

At the meeting, Representative Maloney also announced that Con Edison has agreed to waive the 30-day claim filing deadline for residents and businesses filing claims for losses related to the blackout.  The forum took place at the Federation of Hellenic Societies in Astoria (see attached photograph).

“It is vital that Queens residents and businesses receive as much information as possible on how receive financial restitution due to damages stemming from the blackout,” said Congresswoman Maloney. “It’s great that Con Edison waived the 30-day claim filing deadline, but it needs to do more to help the people of Queens recover from the blackout,” said Representative Maloney.

Residents and business owners lined up to meet with the lawyers  from the City Bar Justice Center’s Neighborhood Entrepreneurship Law Project.  Many brought policies and claim submission forms and spoke one-on-one with the lawyers on how to best proceed with their insurance claims.

Also participating in the forum was Oscar Santana of the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS).  SBS is offering 0 % interest loans of up to $10,000 to businesses affected by the blackout.  Mr. Santana provided loan applications and information to business owners at the forum.  The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the SBS have also established satellite locations at Commerce Bank, 31-04 Ditmars Boulevard and 31st Street.

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