Storm Update: FEMA provides $420 million; help continues​​​​​​​​​ | News

FEMA is providing rental assistance, hotel stays, repair assistance, temporary housing reimbursements and other forms of support to Floridians affected by Hurricane Ian who are unable to live in their homes. As of October 16, FEMA has provided $420 million in aid to help survivors speed recovery.

How FEMA is helping Floridians:

FEMA has made individual assistance available to 26 Florida counties, including Volusia, and residents can continue to apply for assistance.

FEMA is meeting with survivors to help speed their recovery. Disaster Relief Specialists go door-to-door in Florida neighborhoods to help individuals apply for assistance. These teams communicated with 26,500 individuals.

Volusia survivors can visit any of the 14 disaster recovery centers, but the most convenient are at the health department, 1845 Holsonback Drive in Daytona Beach; First Baptist Church, 24731 Ann St. in Astor; or Seminole State College Barbara Miller Automotive Center, 100 Weldon Blvd., Sanford.

FEMA will pay hotel and motel expenses for eligible survivors. FEMA and Florida have activated the Transitional Shelter Assistance Program, which allows FEMA to make payments directly to participating hotels and motels that provide emergency shelter to survivors. As of October 16, the program provides housing for 1,256 households with 3,233 members.

Hundreds of FEMA inspectors conducted more than 73,000 home inspections for survivors who applied for federal disaster assistance.

The US Small Business Administration has approved $65.4 million in low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and business owners. Business recovery centers are located in Collier, DeSoto, Hillsborough, Lee and Seminole counties.

As of October 16, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has received more than 39,000 flood insurance claims and paid out more than $77 million to policyholders, including $56 million in advance payments.

NFIP policyholders can receive up to $1,000 in reimbursements for the purchase of supplies such as sandbags, plastic sheeting and lumber. They can also receive up to $1,000 in storage costs if they have moved insured property. Insureds should submit a claim for compensation in case of flood avoidance, regardless of whether it was successful in preventing the flood damage.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to eligible survivors. Floridians can file a Hurricane Ian income loss claim with Disaster Unemployment Assistance – FloridaJobs.org and selecting “Apply for Hurricane Ian DUA,” visit your local CareerSource career center or call 800-385-3920. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m

Low-income Floridians recovering from Hurricane Ian may be eligible for assistance from the Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Disaster Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). Survivors can find more information about Florida’s D-SNAP program by visiting the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Hurricane Ian Response and Recovery website.

Operation Blue Roof installed 1,521 roofs. This is a free service provided to homeowners and currently operates in Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Lee and Sarasota counties. Residents affected by Hurricane Ian can apply at BlueRoof.us or call toll free at 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258) for more information. The call center will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

National Flood Insurance Program Florida policyholders who suffered flood damage from hurricanes have 90 days to renew their policies. The extension applies to policies with renewal dates beginning August 25 through October 23. Policyholders whose renewal dates fall within this range should contact their agent or insurance company. FEMA also extended the proof-of-loss requirement for Florida flood insurance policyholders who suffered flood damage from Hurricane Ian from 60 to 365 days. For more information on how to file a flood insurance claim, visit How to Start a Flood Insurance Claim.

FEMA has approved critical needs assistance for disaster survivors with immediate or critical needs because they have been displaced from their primary residence. Immediate or critical needs are things that save and sustain life. This assistance is a one-time payment of $700 per household.

If you or a member of your household uses adaptable or accessible items that were damaged by Hurricane Ian, you may be eligible for FEMA assistance for those items. For homeowners, items can include an outdoor ramp, handrails, and a paved path to the home entrance from the vehicle. Awards do not count towards maximum awards for housing assistance or personal property. For more information for homeowners and renters, visit the FEMA Individual Assistance Program Update and Policy Guide.