FEDERAL AID PROGRAMS FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20230425/federal-aid-programs-state-florida]


Release Date: 
September 10, 2017 

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can
be made available _as needed and warranted_ under President Donald J.
Trump's disaster declaration issued for the state of Florida.

ASSISTANCE FOR AFFECTED INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES CAN INCLUDE _AS
REQUIRED_:

	* Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are
unlivable.  Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months
for homeowners and at least one month for renters.  Assistance may be
extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of
individual applicant requirements.  _(Source: FEMA funded and
administered.)_
	* Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household
items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe,
sanitary and functional.  _(Source: FEMA funded and administered.)_
	* Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental,
funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not
covered by insurance or other federal, municipality and charitable aid
programs.   _(Source: FEMA funded at 75 percent of total eligible
costs; 25 percent funded by the state.)_
	* Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily
lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state
benefits, such as self-employed individuals.  _(Source: FEMA funded;
state administered.)_
	* Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully
compensated by insurance.  Loans available up to $200,000 for primary
residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses. 
Loans available up to $2 million for business property losses not
fully compensated by insurance.  _(Source: U.S. Small Business
Administration.)_
	* Loans up to $2 million for small businesses, small agricultural
cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes
that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds
for working capital to recover from the disaster's adverse economic
impact.  This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot
exceed a total of $2 million. (_Source: U.S. Small Business
Administration.)_
	* Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture
operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary
residence.  _(Source: Farm Service Agency, U.S. Department of
Agriculture.)_
	* Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by
the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses;
advisory assistance for legal, veterans’ benefits and social
security matters.

HOW TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE:

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated
area can begin applying for assistance by registering online at
www.DisasterAssistance.gov [http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov] or by
calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).  Disaster assistance applicants, who
have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call
1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service
(VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will
operate from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until
further notice.

ASSISTANCE FOR THE STATE, TRIBAL AND AFFECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN
INCLUDE _AS REQUIRED_:

	* Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for
debris removal (Categories A).  Debris removal assistance, including
direct federal assistance, is available to state, tribal, and local
governments on a cost-sharing basis._ (Source: FEMA funded, state
administered.)_
	* For a period of 30 days from the start of the incident period, FEMA
is authorized to provide federal funding for emergency protective
measures (Category B), including direct federal assistance, taken to
save lives and protect property and public health at 100 percent of
the total eligible costs. _(Source: FEMA funded and administered.)_
	* Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for
hazard mitigation projects undertaken by the state or tribe to prevent
or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or
technological disasters.  (_Source: FEMA funded, state
administered_.)

HOW TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE:

Application procedures for the state, tribal and eligible local
governments will be explained at a series of applicant briefings with
locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials.
Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from
funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

_Follow FEMA online at _www.fema.gov/blog
[https://www.fema.gov/blog]_, _www.twitter.com/fema
[https://www.fema.gov/www.twitter.com/fema]_,
_www.twitter.com/femaspox [http://www.twitter.com/femaspox]_,
_www.facebook.com/fema [https://www.fema.gov/www.facebook.com/fema]_
and _www.youtube.com/fema
[https://www.fema.gov/www.youtube.com/fema]_.  Also, follow
Administrator Brock Long’s activities at _www.twitter.com/fema_brock
[http://www.twitter.com/fema_brock]_. _

_The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does
not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications._

_FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to
ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain and improve
our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover
from and mitigate all hazards._

 

#  #  #