MICHELLE: FOR MANY FAMILIES, THIS THANKSGIVING IS NOT EASY. SOME HAVE LOST THEIR HOMES OR SUFFERING A LOT OF DAMAGE FROM THIS HURRICANE SEASON. WESH 2’s ANIKA HOPE SHARES THE LATEST INFORMATION ON HOW THOSE AFFECTED CAN RECOVER. JOURNALIST: THIS YEAR HAS BEEN TOUGH FOR MANY IN CENTRAL FLORIDA. AFTER HURRICANE IAN AND NICOLE HIT JUST WEEKS APART. FEMA SPOKESPERSON KIM FULLER SAID THEIR AGENCY KNOWS HOLIDAYS CAN BE STRESSFUL FOR DISASTERS SURVIVORS. >> AND EVEN RIGHT NOW, WE’RE AT THE POINT WHERE PEOPLE MAY NOT ENJOY STAYING WITH RELATIVES OR FRIENDS ANY MORE. AND IF YOUR LIVING SITUATION IS SUCH, YOU CANNOT LIVE IN YOUR HOUSE. JOURNALIST: FEMA PROGRAM SAID DISASTER SURVIVORS CAN ALWAYS APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE AT TEMPORARY SHELTER. THEY FOUND VERY FEW ELIGIBLE PEOPLE ACTUALLY USE IT. >> THE GOVERNOR HAS REQUESTED AN EXTENSION OF DISASTER DECLARATION. SO THE DEADLINE IS NOW JANUARY 12TH. REPORTER: BUT FEMA WARNS PEOPLE NOT TO WAIT TO APPLY. PAPERWORK TAKES TIME YOU MAY HAVE TO COMPLETE SOME FORMS. AND YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR OTHER PROGRAMS WITH DIFFERENT DEADLINES. >> SO THE BEST THING IS TO GO FACE TO FACE IN PERSON WITH SOMEBODY AT A RECOVERY CENTRE, BECAUSE YOU HAVE MUCH MORE TIME TO LET THEM KNOW ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL SITUATION. OFTEN THEY JUST LISTEN TO THE STORIES OF DISASTER SURVIVORS, AND THEY TAKE BACK SOMETHING THEY MIGHT BE ELIGIBLE FOR. REPORTER: RECOVERING FAMILIES AT CERTAIN INCOME LEVELS CAN QUALIFY WITH D-SNAP FOR GROCERY ASSISTANCE. OTHER FLORIDAIANS MAY FILE A CLAIM FOR LOSS OF REVENUE CAUSED BY HURRICANE IAN. >> SO A LOT OF THINGS YOU DON’T KNOW, YOU JUST THINK IT’S A ONE-TIME PAYMENT OF, YOU KNOW, IMMEDIATE NEEDS AFTER THE DISASTER, YOU TAKE YOUR $700 AND YOU GO AND YOU FINALLY FIND OUT YOU COULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR THINGS FROM ANOTHER AGENCY. REPORTER: FEMA SAID IF YOU DON’T LISTEN WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF APPLYING, CONTACT AND FOLLOW UP. ANIKA HOPE WESH 2 NEWS. SUMMER: IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW ARE INTERESTED IN APPLYING TO ONE OF THE PROGRAMS WE HAVE MENTIONED, WE HAVE LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION AT WESH.COM
FEMA extends deadline to apply for disaster relief
Updated: 5:13 PM EST November 24, 2022
This has been a tough year for so many in Central Florida after Hurricanes Ian and Nicole hit within weeks of each other. FEMA spokesperson Kim Fuller said their agency knows the holidays can be stressful for disaster survivors. “And even right now, we’re at the point where maybe people don’t enjoy staying with loved ones or friends anymore. What if your living situation is such that you can’t live in your house,” Fuller said. FEMA has extended the deadline for disaster assistance. as of January 12, 2023. Fuller advises those who have already applied and been asked to complete an SBA loan application, complete the SBA loan portion. Fuller said that while it’s a weird process, you might actually be eligible for FEMA help if you’re turned down for an SBA loan. “But let’s say they get a denial, so guess what? They go straight back to FEMA and possibly get some help. So you have to fill out that Small Business Administration loan in order sometimes to get the help from FEMA,” Fuller said. . Fuller said many people are eligible for temporary housing assistance, which is about 6 months of funds for a hotel. Fuller said he found many people weren’t taking advantage of their eligibility. If you think you are eligible, you can call FEMA at (800) 621-3362. Disaster unemployment assistance is available to eligible survivors. Floridians can file a claim for lost income caused by Hurricane Ian by going to Disaster Unemployment Assistance – FloridaJobs.org and selecting “Apply for Hurricane Ian DUA”, visiting a local CareerSource Career Center or calling 800 -385-3920. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET. Low-income Florida residents recovering from Hurricane Ian may qualify for assistance from the Department of Agriculture’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (D-SNAP) program. Survivors can find more information about Florida’s D-SNAP program by visiting the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Hurricane Ian Response & Recovery website. be eligible for FEMA assistance for these items. For homeowners, elements may include an exterior ramp, grab bars, and a paved path leading to the entry of the house from a vehicle. Rewards do not count towards your housing assistance or maximum personal property rewards. For more information for landlords and renters, see Updated Individual Assistance Program and FEMA Policy Guide. FEMA has made individual assistance available to 26 Florida counties. Residents of Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole , St. Johns and Volusia counties are eligible to request individual assistance. The application deadline is January 12, 2023.
This has been a tough year for so many in Central Florida after Hurricanes Ian and Nicole hit within weeks of each other.
FEMA spokesperson Kim Fuller said her agency knows the holidays can be stressful for disaster survivors.
“And even right now, we’re at the point where maybe people don’t enjoy staying with loved ones or friends anymore. What if your living situation is such that you can’t live in your home,” said Fuller said.
FEMA has extended the disaster assistance deadline to January 12, 2023.
Fuller advises those who have already applied and been asked to complete an SBA loan application, complete the SBA loan portion.
Fuller said that while it’s a weird process, you might actually be eligible for FEMA help if you’re turned down for an SBA loan.
“But let’s say they get a denial, so guess what? They go straight back to FEMA and possibly get some help. So you have to fill out that Small Business Administration loan in order sometimes to get the help from FEMA,” Fuller said. .
Fuller said many people are eligible for temporary housing assistance, which is about 6 months of funds for a hotel.
Fuller said he found many people weren’t taking advantage of their eligibility.
If you think you are eligible, you can call FEMA at (800) 621-3362.
Disaster unemployment assistance is available for eligible survivors.
Floridians can file a claim for lost income caused by Hurricane Ian by going to Disaster Unemployment Assistance – FloridaJobs.org and selecting “Apply for Hurricane Ian DUA”, visiting a local CareerSource Career Center or calling 800 -385-3920. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET.
Low-income Florida residents recovering from Hurricane Ian may be eligible for assistance from the Department of Agriculture’s Disaster Supplemental 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 & Recovery website.
If you or someone in your household uses adaptive or accessibility items that were damaged by Hurricane Ian, you may be eligible for FEMA assistance for those items. For homeowners, elements may include an exterior ramp, grab bars, and a paved path leading to the entry of the house from a vehicle. Rewards do not count towards your housing assistance or maximum personal property rewards. For more information for landlords and renters, see Updated Individual Assistance Program and FEMA Policy Guide.
FEMA has made individual assistance available to 26 Florida counties. Residents of Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole , St. Johns and Volusia counties are eligible to request individual assistance. The application deadline is January 12, 2023.
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