BRANDON, Fla. – FEMA is reaching Hurricane Ian survivors where they are to help jumpstart their recovery. FEMA teams are going door-to-door in hard-hit communities, operating one-stop Disaster Recovery Centers and supporting community outreach.
In less than two months since the disaster declaration, FEMA has provided $771 million in grants to 538,028 applicants for the Individuals and Households Program, the U.S. Small Business Administration has provided $1 billion in disaster loans, the National Flood Insurance Program has paid $793 million in claims and FEMA has provided $358 million to the State of Florida for emergency response. Disaster Survivor Assistance teams have visited 261,000 homes and interacted with 129,000 individuals. More than 1,800 households are sheltered in hotels at FEMA expense.
FEMA has extended the application deadline to Jan. 12, 2023, for survivors in 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.
There are multiple Disaster Recovery Centers operating throughout the impacted area. To find a center close to you, go online to: DRC Locator or floridadisaster.org, or text DRC along with your Zip Code to 43362.
It is not necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply. Survivors can go online to disasterassistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call 800-621-3362. The line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.
SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. - FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance team visits a neighborhood impacted by Hurricane Ian, talking with resident about FEMA assistance. (FEMA photo by Jocelyn Augustino)
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Disaster Survivor Assistance team members speak with local residents in neighborhoods impacted by Hurricane Ian and provide information about how to apply for federal assistance following Hurricane Ian. (FEMA photo by Jocelyn Augustino)
FORT MYERS, Fla. – A Disaster Survivor Assistance team member helps a Hurricane Ian survivor apply for assistance. (FEMA photo by Austin Boone)
SANFORD, Fla. – FEMA specialists help Hurricane Ian survivors apply for assistance at the Midway Safe Harbor Center. (FEMA photo by Bob Kaufmann)
BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. – Hurricane Ian survivors hear from FEMA and other agency partners about important recovery information at the First Presbyterian Church. (FEMA photo by Chrissy Gonsalves)
CAPE CORAL, Fla. – Hurricane Ian survivors receive one-on-one help from FEMA specialists at a Disaster Recovery Center. (FEMA photo by Jocelyn Augustino)
FORT MYERS, Fla. – A FEMA specialist provides information to members of the United Haitian Church. (FEMA photo by Chrissy Gonsalves)
FORT MYERS, Fla. – American Sign Language Interpreters provide recovery information for Deaf and Hard of Hearing community members at an event in Fort Myers. (FEMA photo by Austin Boone)
NAPLES, Fla. –Residents visit a Disaster Recovery Center in Collier County at Veterans Community Park. Local, state and federal agencies are on site to help survivors affected by Hurricane Ian. (FEMA photo by Jocelyn Augustino)
ENGLEWOOD, Fla. – A Disaster Recovery Center has representatives from FEMA, State of Florida, SBA and other agencies to help disaster survivors. (FEMA photo by Jocelyn Augustino)
FORT MYERS, Fla. – FEMA Hazard Mitigation specialists speak with residents about how to rebuild stronger against future storms. (FEMA photo by Jocelyn Augustino)
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.
All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, you can call the Civil Rights Resource line at 833-285-7448.