Disaster Resources

On Monday, August 28, 2023, the President approved Governor Ron DeSantis’ request for a pre-landfall emergency declaration for Tropical Storm Idalia. The declaration authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support the State of Florida’s response efforts in preparation for the storm. 

FEMA is the primary federal agency tasked with helping individuals, businesses, and public entities recover after a disaster.

Under Title V of the Stafford Act, the Department of Homeland Security, through FEMA, is authorized to provide emergency assistance to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas.

Not all FEMA programs are available after every disaster, but this resource guide will go into detail about what could be available to help you and your family recover. Click for my Hurricane Resource Guide. 

All individuals impacted by the storm should apply for FEMA assistance.

Please call 1-800-621-3362, visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app to apply.

Even if you do not qualify for assistance yourself, applying for benefits could impact what benefits are approved for your community.

On October 10, 2018, President Trump issued a major disaster declaration for the State of Florida, ordering federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts to areas affected by severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides. The storm has displaced many families and communities.

All individuals who were impacted by Hurricane Michael should apply for FEMA assistance. Please call 1-800-621-3362 or visit http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov to apply. Individual assistance does not have an income limitation.

Click here for my full Hurricane Michael Resource Guide. 

FEMA individual assistance allows homeowners to qualify for grants to help cover uninsured costs of restoring flood-damaged homes. Individuals in the following counties may be eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance: Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, Taylor, Wakulla and Washington.

FEMA public assistance qualifies a county for emergency work, repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities, debris removal, and emergency protective measures. Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Hamilton, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, and Wakulla counties in the State of Florida have been designated for public assistance.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the primary federal agency tasked with helping individuals, businesses, and public entities recover after a disaster. All individuals impacted by the flood should register through FEMA at www.disasterassistance.gov.

After a hurricane, many Florida farmers are left with flooded fields, damaged barns, debris, and destroyed crops. Federal assistance may be available through one of the authorized disaster assistance programs under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Nutrition Assistance
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) provides food assistance to those in need in areas affected by a disaster. This federal assistance is in addition to that provided by state and local governments. For further information I encourage you to visit their website: http://www.fns.usda.gov/disaster/disaster-assistance

USDA Foods for Disaster Assistance - FNS may provide food to disaster relief agencies, shelters, and mass feeding sites. States may also release USDA foods to disaster relief agencies to distribute directly to households that are in need if normal commercial food supply channels are disrupted, damaged or destroyed, or are unable to function.

D-SNAP - Individuals who might not ordinarily qualify for SNAP may be eligible for D-SNAP if they had expenses related to protecting, repairing, or evacuating their homes (or if they have lost income as a result of the disaster). Additionally, individuals who are already participating in the regular SNAP program may be eligible for additional benefits under the D-SNAP. These Disaster benefits are provided like regular program benefits through an EBT card that can be used at authorized food retailers to buy food.

Landowners, Farmers, Ranchers and Producers Assistance
For more information, visit: http://www.rd.usda.gov/fl

Click here for a more comprehensive guide on USDA resources.

The tax relief is part of a coordinated federal response to the damage caused by the floods and is based on local damage assessments by FEMA. For information on disaster recovery, individuals should visit www.disasterassistance.gov.

Click here for more information on tax relief resources

FEMA also may determine that you qualify for the Individuals and Households Program (IHP). 

IHP provides financial help or direct services to those who have necessary expenses and serious needs if they are unable to meet the needs through other means such as insurance or loans. Up to $33,000 is available in financial help (adjusted each year on October 1st), while some forms of IHP assistance have limits. Flood insurance may be required as indicated below. Forms of help available include Housing Assistance (including Temporary Housing, Repair, Replacement, and Semi-Permanent or Permanent Housing Construction) and Other Needs Assistance (including personal property and other items).

Click here for a more comprehensive guide on Assistance to Individual Households.

The following types of assistance may be available through IHP:

Housing Assistance:

• Temporary Housing: Money to rent a different place to live or a temporary housing unit if rental properties are not available.
  
  
• Repair: Money for homeowners to repair damage from the disaster that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to repair the home to a safe and sanitary living or functioning condition. FEMA may provide up to $33,000 for home repair; then the homeowner may apply for a Small Business Administration disaster loan for additional repair assistance. FEMA will not pay to return a home to its condition before the disaster. Flood insurance may be required if the home is in a Special Flood Hazard Area. Repair and replacement items include: 
• Structural aspects of a home (foundation, outside walls, roof) 
• Windows, doors, floors, walls, ceilings, cabinetry 
• Septic or sewage system 
• Well or other water systems 
• Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system 
• Utilities (electrical, plumbing, and gas systems) 
• Entrance and exit ways from the home, including privately owned access roads 
• Blocking, leveling, and anchoring of a mobile home and reconnecting or resetting its sewer, water, electrical and fuel lines and tanks 
  
  
• Replacement: Money to replace a disaster-damaged home may be provided under rare conditions. FEMA may provide up to $33,000 for home replacement. If the home is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, the homeowner must comply with flood insurance purchase requirements, local flood codes, and other requirements.
  
  
• Semi?Permanent or Permanent Housing Construction: Direct assistance or money for the construction of a home. This type of assistance occurs only in very unusual situations, in locations specified by FEMA, where no other type of housing assistance is possible. Construction shall follow current minimum local building codes or minimum acceptable construction industry standards in the area. Construction will aim toward average quality, size, and capacity, taking into consideration the needs of the occupant. If the home is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, the homeowner must comply with flood insurance purchase requirements and local flood codes and requirements.

Other Needs Assistance: The Other Needs Assistance provision of the IHP provides grants for the uninsured, disaster-related necessary expenses, and serious needs.

Covered expenses include:

• Medical and dental expenses
• Funeral and burial costs
• Repair, cleaning, or replacement of:
• Clothing
• Household items (room furnishings, appliances)
• Specialized tools or protective clothing and equipment required for your job
• Necessary educational materials (computers, school books, supplies)
• Clean-up items (wet/dry vacuum, air purifier, dehumidifier)
• Fuel for the primary heat source (heating oil, gas)
• Repairing or replacing vehicles damaged by the disaster, or providing public transportation or other transportation costs
• Moving and storage expenses related to the disaster

Contact FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 for questions about other items that may be covered.