New Jersey’s Department of Human Services says it began making case managers available to Hurricane Ida survivors in January — more than 16 months after a devastating storm that led to tens of thousands of state residents applying for federal emergency aid.

Storm victim advocates say they’re still working with families who’ve been pushed into foreclosure, debt and unsafe living conditions but believe much of that could have been avoided if survivors were connected with comprehensive help sooner. They point to examples of other disasters where case managers were available within a few months.

WNYC's Karen Yi spoke with Morning Edition Host Michael Hill on how this program could help survivors.