Politics & Government
Deadline Nears For Floridians To Apply For Federal Hurricane Ian Relief
People whose homes were damaged/demolished by Hurricane Ian have another week to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance.
January 5, 2023
People whose homes were damaged or demolished by Hurricane Ian have another week to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance, including money for repairs or temporary housing, state officials reminded Floridians on Thursday.
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The assistance is available to homeowners and renters 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.
The deadline to apply is Jan. 12, according to Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
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“Every eligible Floridian that was impacted by Hurricane Ian should apply for assistance,” Guthrie said in a written statement.
“There are many programs that survivors may be eligible for but aren’t aware of because they either haven’t applied or their applications are incomplete. Now is the time to get all the necessary documents together and apply for assistance before next week’s deadline,” he said.
Ian made landfall on Sept. 28 as a Category 4 storm, crossed the peninsula, and made second landfall in the Carolinas, killing 87 people.
The assistance is intended for survivors unable to live in their primary homes and includes rental assistance or hotel costs. Also covered is repair or replacement of personal property and vehicles, costs of moving or storage, and medical, dental, or childcare.
The place to file or update claims is DisasterAssistance.gov, or you can call (800) 621-3362, use the FEMA app, or visit a Disaster Recovery Center.
State government is operating a temporary housing or resettlement program, accessible at IanRecovery.fl.gov/Unite or (800) 892-0948. Guthrie’s agency asks that applicants first apply for FEMA assistance to avoid a duplication of benefits.
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