The deadline for New Yorkers to apply for FEMA aid in the wake of the damage caused by Ida is Jan. 4. While many believe only homeowners are eligible for that aid, they would be wrong.

James Bishop Jr., the director of support services at Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, is getting that message out – if you rent or lease your home or apartment, you may qualify for help.

“FEMA understands that there’s a great deal of eligible people who have not applied for relief,” he said. “That is what we're trying to do – get those individuals to reach out to us to help them apply.”

Bishop says even if you've already had work done privately to repair damage caused by Ida, you can still apply to be reimbursed.

“FEMA will determine…who's eligible and not eligible, but they need for people to apply in order to make those determinations,” he said.

Renters in basement apartments were directly referenced in FEMA’s assistance application message. Bishop says if you'd like help applying you can reach out to him at the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center.

Ida's damages were the costliest of any U.S. Atlantic hurricane since Superstorm Sandy in 2012, according to the National Hurricane Center.