(By Erin O’Neill/The Star-Ledger) 

Homeowners filing flood insurance claims from damage caused by Hurricane Sandy now have more time to submit paperwork supporting their cases.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency — which oversees the National Flood Insurance Program — is extending the proof of loss deadline for six months. The deadline had been today.

This is the third time FEMA extended its proof of loss deadline for Sandy-related claims.

Gov. Chris Christie asked the federal government earlier this month to extend the deadline by six months, saying “as demolition and rebuilding efforts have progressed, many homeowners are discovering that Sandy’s flooding caused expenses and necessary repairs beyond their initial estimates.”

Christie said the extra time was necessary for homeowners to properly document the new damages.

A FEMA bulletin announcing the extension says the agency does not anticipate granting residents any additional time to file proofs of loss.