A couple whose property was damaged by Hurricane Sandy has sued FEMA for denying them access to the agency's Hurricane Sandy Claims Review process by refusing to review their claim.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in the Eastern District, centers on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Sandy Claims Review (SCR) process to combat fraud and make sure those affected by the storm could get fair insurance payouts. The program allowed all claimants to reopen their flood insurance claims so FEMA could investigate whether any additional money was owed to victims.

Simone and David Greenbaum of Cedarhurst allege that FEMA illegally denied review of their claims and refused to insure payment they had been owed. They also allege that FEMA circumvented their attorneys from Weisbrod Matteis & Copley and dealt with them directly, and later said the couple intended to withdraw their claims. The firm represents roughly 1,100 Sandy homeowners in the claims review process.