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Can you get reimbursed for services lost during the blizzard?

2 On Your Side checked into whether you can file claims for services that were lost during the blizzard of 2022.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — As we recover from the blizzard, you might be wondering if you can get money back for services you went without that week.

We have gone over how if you lost power for 72-hours or more you can apply for credits for food or medicine you lost, but that's not the only service the blizzard disrupted.

This question comes from Timothy Taylor who asked, "What about the cable company?" and "Homeowners who pay garbage fees, do they get any credit since a pickup was missed?"

2 On Your Side went in search of answers on Thursday. We did not hear back from the City of Buffalo or Verizon FIOS by our deadline Thursday afternoon.

When it comes to food and medicine reimbursement for the power going out, to qualify your power had to be out for at least 72 consecutive hours.

NYSEG told us on Thursday afternoon that only seven of its customers qualify.

And we didn't get to talk with a National Grid spokesperson Monday when we did another story about this because of the holiday, but Thursday afternoon we were able to get some clarification about what kind of proof you need to show in order to get the most money back.

"To receive the maximum reimbursement, proof of loss is required and proof of loss verifies that you had the food that was spoiled, so the requirements per the state law are photographs accompanied with the receipts of the food and the medication that had been spoiled," said National Grid Spokesperson David Bertola.

The deadline is Tuesday, and remember you can also apply with an itemized list, but more is better, so if you have a shopper's card you can try to look up your receipt. Also, take lots of pictures and send those in.

We know a lot of people didn't have Spectrum cable or internet for several days because of the blizzard. A spokesperson confirmed with us on Friday that Spectrum will be issuing credit for the impact of the storm. People can reach out to customer service if they have any questions about their monthly bill.

The City of Lackawanna was under a driving ban longer than most communities, but a spokesperson told us on Thursday afternoon that there was no interruption in trash pickup, so there are no reimbursements.

But if you weren't able to get your trash to the curb during the blizzard, or if it was buried and got skipped, you can put out extra at no cost this week in Lackawanna. 

"What we allowed this week during the regular pickup that started on Monday, January 2 and runs through Friday the 6th, we're allowing people to put extra, that extra trash out with their regular pickup, so if they have a one unit tote in their house and there's extra trash, we just ask them to put it in, you know, secure trash bags, put it at the curb, and we will pick it up. Not a problem at all," said Chuck Clark, Marketing and Public Relations Officer for the City of Lackawanna.

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