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Legal office provides claims help after Hurricane Sandy

  • Published
  • By the 87th Air Base Wing Legal Office
  • 87th Air Base Wing
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst --  The 87th Air Base Wing Legal Office is available to help process claims resulting from recent storm damage following Hurricane Sandy. Each service is responsible for processing its respective offices' claims. Individuals should consider the following information prior to contacting a services' legal office:

· All claims should go through the United Communities or Balfour Beatty housing office first.
· Service members should examine their lease for any mention of compensation resulting from natural disasters.
· Service member should also contact their renter's insurance company.
· Claimants with private insurance that covers loss or damage must file with their insurance providers before presenting a claim under the Military Personnel and Civilian Employees' Claims Act.
· Airmen may visit https://claims.jag.af.mil, the Air Force Claims Service Center, to file a claim or obtain information on claims filing.

Power outages typically lead to an increase in food spoilage claims because refrigerators and freezers no longer work. Residents need to immediately report power outages to their housing maintenance office so the amount of time without power can be documented. After the power fails, keep refrigerator doors closed as much as possible. Keep a cooler close by and retrieve everything anything from the refrigerator needed for that day in the cooler. This will prevent the unneeded opening and closing of the refrigerator door. Check with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service Web Site at www.fsis.usda.gov before tossing out any food. The website has useful information on how long food items can stay safe after power outages. Maintain packaging, receipts or take photos of food before throwing it away to substantiate any future claims.

Airmen may contact the 87th Air Base Wing legal office at 754-2010, the Air Force Claims Service Center at DSN 986-8044 or visit the Air Force Claims Service Center website at https://claims.jag.af.mil for additional questions or concerns. Forms related to filing a food spoilage claim can also be found this website.

Check out the frequently-asked-questions page for answers to common questions about various types of claims.

Members of other military branches may contact their service representative via the following means:

· Soldiers can call 562-6749;
· Sailors can call (888) 897-8217, (757) 440-6315 or DSN 564-3310;
· Coast Guardsmen can call (757) 628-4212;
· and Marines can call (703) 784-9533, DSN 278-9533 or email hqmc.claims@usmc.mil.