Federal assistance for homeowners and renters affected by Hurricane Idalia has been extended to Hillsborough and Charlotte counties.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management said Tuesday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency added Hillsborough and Charlotte to a list of counties where assistance is available for temporary lodging, basic home repairs, and other disaster-related expenses.
Other counties where the assistance is available are Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee and Taylor.
In the news: Hillsborough County Residents Who Sustained Losses from Hurricane Idalia Can Apply for Federal Assistance
The Category 3 hurricane made landfall Aug. 30 in Taylor County and crossed parts of North Florida after moving up through the Gulf of Mexico.
SBA
Homeowners, renters, business owners and certain nonprofits who had losses from Hurricane Idalia may be referred for a disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
FEMA may refer survivors to SBA with information on how to apply for a disaster loan. It’s important to submit the loan application as soon as possible. If the application is approved, they are not obligated to accept an SBA loan but failure to return the application may disqualify them from other possible financial assistance from FEMA and State of Florida.
- If referred to the SBA, some types of FEMA assistance may only be provided if you receive a denial for an SBA loan.
- SBA disaster loans are the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds for survivors. SBA offers long-term, low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters.
- SBA disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other resources. Survivors should not wait for an insurance settlement before submitting an SBA loan application. They may discover they were underinsured for the deductible, labor and materials required to repair or replace their home.
- Homeowners may be eligible for a disaster loan up to $500,000 for primary residence structural repairs or rebuilding. SBA may also be able to help homeowners and renters with up to $100,000 to repair or replace important personal property, including automobiles damaged or destroyed in the disaster.
Survivors may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/. Disaster loan information and application forms can also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955.
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