Recovering From Disasters

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance under disaster declarations falls into three general categories:

• Individual Assistance: Aid to individuals and households triggered by major disaster declarations.
• Public Assistance: Aid to public and certain private nonprofit entities. This funding is for certain emergency services and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged public facilities.
• Hazard Mitigation Assistance: Funding for measures designed to reduce future losses to public and private property.

The determination of which programs are authorized is based on the types of assistance specified in the governor’s or tribal government’s request and on the needs identified during the preliminary damage assessment.

Several other types of individual assistance — such as disaster legal services, unemployment, food security, and more — are provided or overseen by FEMA, the Small Business Administration (SBA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Labor, typically in conjunction with local and state administration.

Disaster survivors can apply to receive assistance through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. Examples of services/assistance include temporary housing, emergency home repairs, compensation for food, personal property losses, medical, dental, and funeral expenses caused by a disaster.

Who can apply to FEMA? U.S. Citizens, permanent residents/green card holders, and other qualified immigrants, such as refugees or asylees.

When can you apply? You must apply for FEMA assistance within 60 days of the Presidential Disaster Declaration and approval of assistance for individuals.

To Apply:

Call 1-800-621-3362

Visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov

Download the FEMA app

On March 22, 2024, FEMA implemented significant updates to disaster assistance.

Read about the updates here: https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/2024-reform

To Apply:

Call 1-800-621-3362

Visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov

Download the FEMA app

If you were affected by a disaster declared before March 22, 2024, you are required to submit a signed appeal letter explaining why you think the decision about the amount or type of assistance you received is incorrect.

This letter is in addition to your new or additional information or documents not previously submitted. You, or your co-applicant, must sign the letter. You may also send in the signed appeal form instead of a letter.

If you were affected by a disaster declared after March 22, 2024, you will no longer need to provide a signed, written appeal letter to accompany the supporting documentation.

Visit https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/how-appeal-fema-decision for a guide on how to appeal a FEMA decision.

FEMA's Individuals and Households Program Assistance may include:

• Funds for temporary housing while you are unable to live in your home, such as rental assistance or reimbursement for hotel costs
• Funds to support the repair or replacement of owner-occupied homes that serve as the household’s primary residence, including privately-owned access routes, such as driveways, roads, or bridges
• A temporary housing unit, if approved for the disaster, when you are not able to use rental assistance due to a lack of available housing resources
• Funds for hazard mitigation assistance to help eligible homeowners repair or rebuild stronger, more durable homes
• Funds for other uninsured or under-insured disaster-caused expenses and serious needs

Read more about FEMA's Individuals and Households Program here: https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/program

The purpose of Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is to provide benefits and reemployment services to individuals whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a result of a major disaster.

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.

The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) provides food assistance for individuals and families impacted by a recent disaster and who are not receiving food assistance benefits through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

How do I qualify?

To qualify for D-SNAP benefits, the household must:

• Live in a designated disaster area;
• have food loss, damage to home or self-employment property, a delay, reduction, or loss of income due to the disaster, or have disaster-related expenses;
• have available assets and income less than the limits required for this program;
• complete a D-SNAP application during the designated period, and
• provide proof of identity.

After the storm, you are advised to:

1. File all claims directly with your insurance company.
2. Contact your insurance company before entering into any contract for repairs to confirm any managed repair policy provisions or optional preferred vendors.
3. Make and document emergency repairs that are necessary to prevent further damage. Keep the damaged property, if feasible, keep all receipts, and take photographs or video of damage before and after any repairs to provide to your insurer.
4. Carefully read any contract that requires you to pay out-of-pocket expenses or a fee that is based on a percentage of the insurance proceeds that you will receive for repairing or replacing your property.
5. Confirm that the contractor you choose is licensed to do business in Florida. You can verify a contractor’s license and check to see if there are any complaints against him or her by calling the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. You should also ask the contractor for references from previous work.
6. Require all contractors to provide proof of insurance before beginning repairs.
7. Take precautions if the damage requires you to leave your home, including securing your property and turning off your gas, water, and electricity, and contacting your insurance company and provide a phone number where you can be reached.

Call 211 for reunification services

The American Red Cross can help your family members reconnect: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/contact-and-locate-loved-ones.html

How do I replace my driver's license?

Driver's licenses can be renewed online here: https://www.flhsmv.gov

Or by visiting your local DMV office.

How do I replace my Social Security Card?

• There is not a current emergency procedure to replace a Social Security card. You need to complete an Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5).
• You need another form of identification, such as a driver's license. This process is explained on the Social Security website at www.ssa.gov. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local Social Security office.

What else can serve as proof of identity?

Passport, Employer ID, School ID, Marriage or divorce record, Military ID, Adoption record, Life insurance policy, or Health insurance card.