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Updated Disaster Resources for those Impacted by Hurricane Ian


Federal and State resources are available

 

October 2022 

u s small business administration

FEMA Assistance

hurricane Ian

How to Apply for FEMA Assistance

Homeowners and renters in the following counties who had uninsured losses from Hurricane Ian may be eligible for federal disaster assistance. FEMA may provide financial help with temporary housing expenses, basic home repairs and other essential disaster-related needs.

  • Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Volusia
    • There are three ways to apply: 1) gov, 2) download the FEMA App for mobile devices, 3) call toll-free 800-621-3362. Help is available in many languages.

Crisis Cleanup

For help cleaning up the damage from Hurricane Ian, call the Crisis Cleanup Hotline at 800-451-1954. You will be connected to volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and faith communities. The hotline will remain open through Friday, Oct. 28. 

Clean and Sanitize Assistance

The State of Florida and FEMA have authorized Clean and Sanitize Assistance. Eligible applicants may qualify for a one-time $300 payment to help with cleanup of their damaged dwelling.

Critical Needs Assistance

FEMA may provide financial assistance to applicants who have immediate or critical needs because they are displaced from their primary dwelling. Immediate or critical needs are lifesaving and life-sustaining items, including water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, diapers, consumable medical supplies, durable medical equipment, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation. This assistance applies to primary residences in Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Osceola, Sarasota, Seminole and Volusia counties.

Operation Blue Roof

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in coordination with FEMA, may be able to assist eligible homeowners with temporary roof repairs. Operation Blue Roof is a free service to homeowners impacted by Hurricane Ian in Charlotte, Collier, Lee and Sarasota counties. Homeowners can sign up online at blueroof.us or call 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258) for more information.


Did you know that SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and businesses?

SBA Disaster Loan Information

What Types of Disaster Loans are Available?
• Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
• Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.
• Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.

 

FLORIDA Declaration 17644 & 17645


(Disaster: FL-00178)
Incident: HURRICANE IAN occurring: September 23, 2022

Primary Counties:

  • Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, Sarasota, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Flagler, Putnam, Saint Johns, Volusia, Highlands, and Lake.

Contiguous Counties:

  • Glades, Hendry, Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Pasco, Brevard, Indian River, Okeechobee, Sumter, Alachua, Bradford, Clay, Marion, and Duval.


Application Filing Deadlines:


Physical Damage: November 28, 2022

Economic Injury: June 29, 2023

If you are located in a declared disaster area, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

What are the Credit Requirements?
• Credit History – Applicants must have a credit history acceptable to SBA.
• Repayment – Applicants must show the ability to repay all loans.
• Collateral – Collateral is required for physical loss loans over $25,000 and all EIDL loans over $25,000. SBA takes real estate as collateral when it is available. SBA will not decline a loan for lack of collateral, but requires you to pledge what is available.

Learn more about

Disaster Declaration Details

 

Apply for a disaster loan: 

Apply Now

 

DISASTER ASSISTANCE
Customer Service Center – (800) 659-2955


In-person Assistance Available

Business Recovery Centers

SBA customer service representatives will be available at 2 Business Recovery Centers (BRC) to meet with business owners and to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process, help each individual complete their electronic loan application and close their approved loans. No appointment is necessary.

BRC Hillsborough County

Chloe Coney Urban Enterprise Center

1907 E Hillsborough Ave

Tampa, FL 33610

Mon – Sat M-F: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Sat: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

 

BRC Lee County

The HUB at SFWL INC

25071 Chamber of Commerce Drive

Bonita Springs, FL 34135

Sun – Sat 9:00 am – 5:00 pm


Disaster Recovery Centers

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are accessible facilities and mobile offices set up after a disaster. We place DRCs in or near affected communities, in an area that offers equal access and resources to everyone.

You may visit a DRC to –

  • Learn about disaster assistance programs.
  • Apply for disaster assistance.
  • Check the status of your FEMA application.
  • Help you understand FEMA notices or letters.
  • Find housing and rental assistance information.
  • Get referrals to agencies that offer other assistance.
  • Meet with a Small Business Administration (SBA) agent.

*DRC Lee County

The Lake Library

15290 Bass Road

Fort Myers, FL 33919

Sun – Sat 9:00 am – 6:00 pm


Resources from the State of Florida

Emergency Bridge Loan 

Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is available to small businesses who are waiting for SBA funding.  The program, administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), provides short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to Hurricane Ian. Interested applicants can apply now through December 2, 2022, or until all available funds are expended.

Business Damage Assessment Survey

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to Hurricane Ian. Survey responses will allow the state to expedite Hurricane Ian economic recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of affected businesses.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to Florida businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Ian. Individuals affected in the designated-disaster areas must file DUA applications by December 30, 2022.   DUA is available for weeks of unemployment beginning 9/25/2022 until 4/1/2023, as long as the individual’s unemployment continues to be a direct result of Hurricane Ian.  DUA is only available for those individuals who are unemployed as a direct result of Hurricane Ian. If a claimant is currently receiving state Reemployment Assistance they will not be eligible for DUA. 

To apply online, visit CONNECT.MyFlorida.com or call 1-800-385-3920 to apply by telephone, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. tp 6:30 p.m., Eastern Time. For general information about Reemployment Assistance or claim-specific questions call 1-833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759). The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is accepting applications for DUA from residents and businesses in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, and Volusia counties.

Family Resource Support Centers

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is opening Family Resource Support Centers across the impact area and will serve as a central location for access to community resources and support.  DCF staff  is available on site to help individuals and families with behavioral health and public benefit information.

Other Information 

Volunteer Florida’s disaster donation page is open. The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster.  Donations to the Florida Disaster Fund are made to the Volunteer Florida Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and are tax deductible.

VISIT FLORIDA activated the Emergency Accommodations Module on Expedia.com to provide real-time hotel and lodging availability for impacted Floridians and visitors throughout the state. Florida Housing Search  is a free, state resource for renters and property managers in Florida. Dynamic search options can help renters find available rental housing that fits a variety of needs and incomes. The Florida Housing Finance Corporation is verifying that all listings are up to date in the event that families need to quickly relocate.