L.I. Couple, New York Rising At Odds Over $6 Sandy Repair Payment

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- A Long Island couple received a check to help repair their home following superstorm Sandy but the amount was not what they were expecting.

Janet Rubinstein, 79, and her husband Lawrence, of Freeport received money from New York Rising but the amount would barely cover a meal at a fast food restaurant, WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported.

"What makes them think that $6 is going to help anyone," Janet said.

The Rubinsteins said that they qualified for only $6 from the state agency to repair their high-ranch home that was flooded by Sandy.

A spokesperson for New York Rising said that the amount was correct because the couple did not disclose information about other funding they had received to make repairs to their home including an SBA loan and insurance.

"We did exactly what was expected of us," New York Rising spokesperson Barbara Brancaccio told Newsday. "At the end of the day, they received a letter for the amount that was entirely appropriate. This couple is misleading the public."

Brancaccio added that the couple would also be eligible for a $56,000 grant to elevate their home, which the couple has not yet applied for.

The Rubinsteins countered that they did tell New York Rising about the SBA loan.

The couple claimed that they turned all of their records over after being unable to live in their home for six months.

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