Assistance available for feds hit by storm

As the effects of Hurricane Sandy made themselves felt along the mid-Atlantic and Northeast coasts, a nonprofit organization pledged to provide financial assistance to federal employees hit by the storm.

The Federal Employees Education and Assistance Fund said disaster grants of up to $500 will be available to employees in hard-hit areas.

Employees can download disaster relief applications at www.feea.org/Disaster or call FEEA at 1-800-323-4140 for more information. The organization said it would prioritize the assistance it provides based on the severity of the damage suffered.

FEEA has for many years offered financial help to feds affected by natural disasters. Most recently, he organization helped almost 600 employees in the Gulf Coast area with more than $80,000 in disaster grants and no-interest loans following Hurricane Isaac.

FEEA officials said such efforts have put a dent in the organization's funds. Those interested in donating to the relief organization can pay by credit card at www.feea.org/Give. Donations also can be made by checks made out to “FEEA” and sent to:  FEEA Headquarters, 3333 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Suite 300, Lakewood, CO 80227.

Update 10/29/12, 12:10 p.m. ET: Federal Times' Steve Losey  reports that Robyn Kehoe, FEEA’s director of field operations, says that right now, FEAA's budget is "completely blown." The organization will soon have $35,000 on hand thanks to a donation from Blue Cross Blue Shield. But given the magnitude of the storm, many more donations are needed.