Hurricane Recovery Information and Resources
Visit FloridaDisaster.org/info for Hurricane information from the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
Help for Survivors
Register with FEMA
Survivors Need to Register with FEMA in order to receive assistance. There are several ways to apply: 1) DisasterAssistance.gov, 2) download the FEMA App for mobile devices, 3) call toll-free 800-621-3362. The line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST. Help is available in most languages. To view an accessible video on how to apply visit Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance – YouTube.
FEMA registration ends on Thursday, January 12, 2023. To appeal your FEMA decision, you have 60 days from the date of your determination letter. You can appeal and provide more information so FEMA can continue processing your application. Call the Helpline at 800-621-3362 or visit a Disaster Recovery Center to get help filing an appeal.
Register with Unite Florida
State of Florida agency partners have created the Unite Florida Hurricane Ian Recovery Portal where survivors in disaster-declared counties impacted by Hurricane Ian can apply for assistance with unmet needs such as transportation, household items and social services, or whose needs were not totally covered by FEMA. This portal serves as a place where survivors can apply to participate in Florida’s first-ever state-led sheltering and housing program to receive temporary housing solutions — such as travel trailers and recreational vehicles — and temporary or permanent repairs for households whose needs are not met through insurance or FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.
Blue Tarps
There are several sources of tarps. Contact the Blue Roof Program at 1-888-766-3258. Roofing and other temporary repairs assistance could also be provided by your local government. Try calling your local SHIP Office: Click here for contact information of SHIP offices to inquire about funding assistance for storm repairs to your home, rental assistance or temporary relocation.
Debris Cleanup and Muck and Gut
Call the Crisis Cleanup Hotline and register for help. 800-451-1954. You may also visit https://crisiscleanup.org/survivor to register.
Temporary Hotel Accommodations
Check with FEMA to see if you are eligible. Hotel assistance may be available to eligible survivors in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia Counties. Note that participating hotels are located in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.
Temporary RV or Mobile Home Units
For an RV or mobile home unit, contact FEMA to determine your eligibility. Mobile housing units or RVs may be available in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, DeSoto Counties, Sarasota and Hardee Counties.
Disaster Legal Services
Disaster Legal Services (DLS) provides free legal help to low-income disaster survivors. Call the hotline at 866-550-2929 any time and leave a message.
Small Business Administration (SBA)
To register for SBA loans (for both homeowners and businesses), go to the SBA website. Here, you can find information on case files and contact needs for SBA. Please note that if there is a declaration you will need to apply for an SBA loan before you apply for FEMA assistance. Phone Number: 1-800-659-2955 (TTY/TDD: 1-800-877-8339)
Email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
Insurance
Office of Insurance Regulation. The office of Insurance Regulation can assist homeowners with their policy questions as well as to make any complaints about their insurance providers. The Division of Consumer Services can answer insurance questions at 877-693-5236, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
FloridaHousingSearch.org
FloridaHousingsearch.org is an affordable rental housing locator for the State of Florida. Affected families may search the locator for rental housing units that are available throughout the state. You may also contact the locator’s toll-free call center for assistance in conducting a search. The toll-free number is 1-877-428-8844.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Disaster Unemployment is available for those whose income was affected by Hurricane Ian. For more information visit Disaster Unemployment Assistance, visit FloridaJobs.org or call 800-385-3920. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. EST.
Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)
D-SNAP provides food assistance for individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Ian who are not receiving assistance through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Visit Response and Recovery – Hurricane Ian (myflfamilies.com) for more information.
Mortgage Assistance
Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans back the majority of U.S. mortgages – and each has some kind of program to help homeowners struggling to pay their monthly mortgage payment after a disaster. In all cases, a homeowner must initiate the process. Disaster relief options are offered to homeowners in declared major disaster areas. However, even homeowners outside those areas may have options if their home incurred a disaster-related loss that impacts their ability to make a mortgage payment. Foreclosure and other legal proceedings are also suspended while homeowners are on a forbearance plan. Click HERE to learn more.
KnowYourOptions.com is the Fannie Mae consumer website for housing resources, including details on disaster relief. Homeowners can visit www.knowyouroptions.com/relief to learn more and find out if they have a Fannie Mae-owned mortgage and access to the full benefits of our Disaster Response Network. Homeowners can call 877-833-1746 to access the Disaster Response Network or other available resources. The Disaster Response Network is operated by Clearpoint’s* Project Porchlight program.
Volunteer
Floridians who want to volunteer can visit Volunteer Florida’s webpage.
My Safe Florida Home
The My Safe Florida Home Program was enacted by the Florida Legislature in 2022 to help single family home owners protect their homes against wind damage. Florida owners of homes built prior to 2008 qualify for a free wind mitigation home inspection through the program, and qualified homeowners can also receive grant funds for wind mitigation treatments and repairs. For grant funds, most homeowners must provide a 2:1 match for grant awards of up to $10,000 (in other words, a 50% match, or up to $5,000), and low-income homeowners do not have to provide a match. Apply at the link!
Other Sources of Recovery Information.
- Dial 211 for local resources and referrals
- Unmet Needs Survey
The Florida Division of Emergency Management is collecting information to assist disaster survivors who have critical unmet needs due to Hurricane Ian. The purpose of this survey is to support ongoing efforts by the State of Florida to provide critical resources to those in need of assistance. By participating in this voluntary survey, disaster survivors can select and submit specific details to the State about their critical unmet needs. The survey also provides helpful information concerning how to request assistance from FEMA. You can access the survey at the link below: