Time Running Out To Apply For FEMA Relief For Hurricane Ian Damage

FLORIDA — Homeowners and renters in 26 Florida counties who have loss and property damage caused by Hurricane Ian have only one week left to apply for federal disaster assistance.

These counties qualify for the aid applications: 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 for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency is Jan. 12.

There are several ways to register:

• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The helpline is available daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET. Help is available in most languages.
• Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov (also in Spanish).
• Download the FEMA mobile app for smartphones.
• Visit a Disaster Recovery Center. Several DRCs are operating throughout Florida’s disaster-damaged counties. To find one close to you, go online to: DRC Locator, floridadisaster.org or text DRC along with your ZIP code to 43362.

If eligible, FEMA disaster assistance may include financial assistance for temporary housing while you are unable to live in your primary home, such as rental assistance or reimbursement for hotel costs.

FEMA may also provide money to homeowners to help repair or replace disaster-caused damage or loss to a primary residence, including privately owned access routes, such as driveways, roads or bridges.

Money is also available for expenses due to the hurricane for serious needs such as the repair or replacement of personal property and vehicles, funds for moving and storage, medical, dental, child care and other pre-approved miscellaneous items.

Applicants who wish to apply for disaster assistance should have the following information ready for registration: Social Security number; pre-disaster address of the primary residence; name of all occupants of the pre-disaster household; types of insurance coverage; current telephone number and mailing address; and bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of financial assistance, if eligible.

Survivors should keep their contact information updated with FEMA so the agency can call to schedule a home inspection or get additional information.

Disaster assistance is not a substitute for insurance and cannot compensate for all losses caused by a disaster. The assistance is intended to meet basic needs and supplement disaster recovery efforts.

For the latest information on Florida's recovery from Hurricane Ian and Nicole, visit floridadisaster.org/info and fema.gov.