Hurricane Disaster Resource Page
Florida Rural Legal Services is following reports from local and state officials who are tracking Hurricane Idalia, which is moving toward Florida with powerful winds and life-threatening storm surge.
On Aug. 29, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 23-175, expanding the number of counties under a state of emergency in preparation for Hurricane Idalia from 46 counties to 49 counties.
Counties now included in the executive order are:
Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, and Wakulla counties.
Hurricane Ian Damage AND Hurricane Idalia Damage: What you should know when it comes to FEMA
If you live in Hurricane Ian impacted areas and are also impacted by Hurricane Idalia, you can apply for FEMA assistance AGAIN, but you will need to prove the damage is new as a result of the new storm Idalia. We recommend that you take pictures of your property BEFORE Idalia hits, in case you suffer additional damage.
DISASTER RESOURCES TO KEEP IN MIND
Know what aid could be afforded to you after a hurricane in Florida.
The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) provides food assistance for individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Ian and who are not receiving food assistance benefits through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Benefits will be automatically applied to EBT cards starting this week. There is no need to apply for these benefits. There is no need to come to an on-site DSNAP event, benefits will be automatically applied to EBT cards after applications are processed.
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT (DUA)
Did you lose your job, or was your work or self-employment interrupted because of the hurricane?
If so, you may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance; if you:
are unemployed as a direct result of Hurricane Ian;
were scheduled to start a new job but were unable to as a direct result of Hurricane Ian;
are unable to reach your job or self-employment location because you have to travel through an affected area and Hurricane Ian prevented this;
have become the primary breadwinner because the head of the household died as a direct result Hurricane Ian; or
are unable to work because of an injury that was a direct result of Hurricane Ian.
FEMA INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE
If you live in one of the counties listed above, you may be eligible for FEMA benefits.
Funds for temporary housing while you are unable to live in your home
A temporary housing unit, when you are not able to use rental assistance due to a lack of available housing resources
Funds to support the repair or replacement of owner-occupied homes that serve as the household’s primary residence
Funds for other uninsured or under-insured disaster-caused expenses and serious needs, such as repair or replacement of personal property and vehicles, or funds for moving and storage, medical, dental, child care, funeral
Funds for hazard mitigation assistance to help eligible homeowners repair or rebuild stronger, more durable homes.
How Do I Appeal the Final FEMA Decision?
FAQs | KNOW YOUR TENANT RIGHTS AFTER A HURRICANE
STEP 1) Take photos to document damage and keep receipts from all clean-up and repair related purchases.
STEP 2) Call your insurance company right away.
These steps may help maximize insurance and federal disaster assistance and payments.
If you’ve evacuated, you can still start a claim now and provide specifics later.
The apartment I live in needs repairs after the hurricane. What should I do?
What if the landlord does not make repairs?
Can I make the repairs myself and deduct it from the rent?
I couldn’t work during the storm and didn’t get paid. I don’t have the money for next month’s rent. What should I do?
All of my stuff was destroyed when the roof fell in on the place I rent - what help can I get?
Disaster Recovery Centers
Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) have opened. DRCs are a coordinated effort between FEMA, the Florida Division of Emergency Management, and state agencies and partners to provide wrap-around resources and information about recovery programs and disaster assistance to Hurricane Ian survivors.
Lakes Regional Library
15290 Bass Rd.
Fort Myers, FL 33919
Open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Daily
Fort Myers DMS Building
2295 Victoria Ave. 
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Daily
Sun Coast Technical College
4675 Career Lane
North Port, FL 34289
Open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Daily
Veterans Community Park
1895 Veterans Drive
Naples, FL 34109
Open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Daily
Shannon Staub Library
4675 Career Lane
North Port, FL 34289
Seminole State College Automotive Center
100 Welden Blvd
Sanford, Florida 32773
Open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Daily
Wachula Civic Center
515 Civic Center Dr.
Wauchula, Florida 33873
Barnett Park
4801 W. Colonial Drive
Orlando, Florida 32808
Open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Daily
Hart Memorial Central Library
211 E. Dakin Avenue
Kissimmee, Florida 34741
Home Depot
12621 S McCall Rd
Port Charlotte, Florida 33981
Open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Daily
Saturday, Oct. 29 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
WHERE: 106 South 2nd Street, Immokalee, FL 34142
FEMA's Temporary Sheltering Program
Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) is a FEMA program that allows for temporary, short-term accommodations for eligible survivors when other housing options are not available after a declared disaster. TSA is used to move survivors out of congregate recovery shelters and into hotels and motels.
To receive TSA, a survivor must first register for FEMA Individual Assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 and meet initial conditions of eligibility (see below). No applicant can receive assistance unless and until they apply to FEMA.
1. Be registered with FEMA for assistance and meet all TSA eligibility requirements
a. pass identity verification
2. Be a U.S. citizen, Non-citizen national, or Qualified alien
I. If an applicant does not meet this criteria, their household may still qualify for TSA if: Another adult household member meets the criteria and signs the Declaration and Release Form (FEMA Form 009-0-3); or
ii. The parent or legal guardian of a minor child who is a U.S. citizen, non- citizen national, or a qualified alien applies for assistance on behalf of the child, as long as the child lives in the same household. The parent or legal guardian must register as the co-applicant.\
3. The primary residence is inaccessible or uninhabitable due to disaster-related damage
4.The primary residence is in the area declared and designated for TSA
5. Be displaced from their primary residence due to the disaster
6. Still living in emergency shelter locations
7. Lack applicable insurance coverage or be unable to utilize available Additional Living Expense (ALE) coverage from Homeowners or Renters insurance policy.
Current Registrants
8. For those applicants with rejected applications, most are easy fixes. The best option is to go back to www.disasterassistance.gov and follow the correction guidance given there. They can also call 800-621-3362 to speak with someone for help. Expect long delays if using phone calls, as the program is just getting started and many agents will be making the notification calls.
Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) works to help individuals and families recover from the effects of a major disaster. The aftermath of a disaster can be staggering leaving survivors overwhelmed by the process of recovery. FRLS works closely with disaster survivors to put them on the path to recovery.
FRLS attorneys may provide FREE legal counseling, advice and when appropriate and necessary, full representation in the following types of disaster cases:
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT (DUA)
You can apply in the following ways:
Beware of Fraud and Scams
DSNAP Pre-Registration is at Florida Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) (myflfamilies.com). This week is Phase One and only Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Hardee, Lee, Sarasota ,and Polk can register this week through Sunday, October 16th. DCF will begin phone interviews on Thursday, October 13th. Here is the schedule this week to complete a phone interview.
The DSNAP registration asks for ID such as Driver's Lic. Or State ID but if an applicant indicates they have neither they will have an "other" option and get a different drop down to select other forms of ID such as a passport, INS document, School or Work ID or "other" again. If you enter Other, you must tell them what the "other" is.
And the applicant is asked if they are 60 or older, disabled or taking care of someone that prevents them from attending a site location.
The application asks about the amount of money in cash, checking or savings, expenses related to hurricane such as repairs, loss of home items, loss of food and about income.
Visit missing.fl.gov if you or someone you know needs assistance or a safety check. Federal search and rescue teams, including FEMA Urban Search and Rescue, U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Defense, Customs Border and Protection and the state of Florida, are coordinating rescue efforts with local officials.
More than 100 FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Team staff are working in the hardest hit communities to help survivors apply for assistance and identify immediate and emerging threats.
Mental health resources for individuals and communities are available at MyFLFamilies.com/HurricaneIan. Floridians’ health and well-being are a top priority, and the Department of Children and Families is reminding individuals that they are not alone. All Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian can find someone to talk to today through the Disaster Distress Helpline by calling 800-985-5990.
Call or Text: 1–800–985–5990
DisasterDistress.samhsa.gov
Español: Llama o envía un mensaje de texto 1–800–985–5990 presiona “2”
For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: To connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language, click the "ASL Now" button below or call 1–800–985–5990 from your videophone. ASL Support is available 24/7.
FEMA Registration Process
American Sign Language (ASL)
How to Register with Disaster Survivor Assistance
American Sign Language (ASL)
Apply
General Public:
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Call 1-888-582-3410
Farmworkers:
8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Call 1-855-771-3077
Or Apply Online
TTY: 800-955-8771
The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.
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