Residents of Florida impacted by the recent devastation of Hurricanes Helene and Milton may be eligible for federal assistance to help them recover and rebuild.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened applications for individual assistance programs for those affected in designated counties.
Who is Eligible?
Homeowners and renters in counties included in the federal disaster declaration who sustained damage or losses from either Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton are encouraged to apply. It’s important to note that if you already applied for assistance after Hurricane Helene and suffered additional damage from Hurricane Milton, you must submit a separate application for Hurricane Milton, specifying the dates of the most recent damage.
What Assistance is Available?
FEMA may be able to provide assistance with various needs, including:
- Immediate Needs: Grants for serious needs such as medical expenses, temporary shelter, or funeral costs.
- Temporary Lodging: Reimbursement for hotel costs if your home is uninhabitable.
- Rental Assistance: Help with rent payments if you are displaced from your primary residence.
- Home Repairs: Grants for necessary repairs to make your home safe, sanitary, and functional.
- Personal Property Replacement: Assistance replacing essential household items like appliances and furniture.
How to Apply:
There are three ways to apply for FEMA assistance:
- Online: Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
- Phone: Call 1-800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.
- FEMA App: Download the FEMA app on your smartphone.
**What You’ll Need:
Have the following information ready when applying:
- Current phone number
- Address at the time of the disaster and current address
- Social Security number
- General list of damage and losses
- Banking information for direct deposit (optional)
- Insurance policy number or agent and company name (if insured)
Important Notes:
- Disaster Recovery Centers: FEMA has opened Disaster Recovery Centers in impacted areas. Survivors can visit these centers to speak directly with FEMA and state personnel for assistance with their recovery. To find the nearest center, visit FEMA.gov/DRC.
- Additional Resources: For more information and assistance, residents can visit FloridaDisaster.org’s Helene and Milton pages or call the State Assistance Info Line at 1-800-342-3557.
- Crisis Cleanup Hotline: Voluntary organizations are offering free disaster cleanup services. Call the Crisis Cleanup hotline at 1-844-965-1386 to request help with tasks like tarping roofs, clearing debris, and mold remediation.
Don’t delay in applying for assistance. The sooner you apply, the sooner you can begin the recovery process.
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