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.
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Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Volusia
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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.
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:
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Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, Sarasota, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Flagler, Putnam, Saint Johns, Volusia, Highlands, and Lake.
Contiguous Counties:
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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
Apply for a disaster loan:
DISASTER ASSISTANCE
Customer Service Center – (800) 659-2955
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 –
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Learn about disaster assistance programs.
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Apply for disaster assistance.
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Check the status of your FEMA application.
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Help you understand FEMA notices or letters.
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Find housing and rental assistance information.
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Get referrals to agencies that offer other assistance.
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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
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.
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