Hurricane Ian Disaster Relief Information & Helpful Links
FMHA will continue to share disaster relief information with members as soon as it is made available. Here is the most recent information we have. Please let us know how we can help. You can reach The FMHA if you have any questions at info@fmha.org.
Dec. 13, 2022 FEMA News Desk Press Release
FEMA Advances Accessibility: Policy Change Provides Over $117 Million to Disaster Survivors for Cleaning and Sanitizing Homes
WASHINGTON -- This week, FEMA announced over $117 million was provided to survivors in additional assistance due to a policy update which expanded cleaning and sanitizing assistance following a disaster. Because of the policy update, more than 391,000 additional applicants have been able to get financial help.
Under the Clean and Sanitize Assistance (CSA) program, if a survivor received minor damage to their home, but was able to live in the home, FEMA may be able to provide up to $300 to help prevent additional losses and to protect the health and safety of the survivor’s home. This assistance is for eligible homeowners and renters and can be used to pay for supplies or a service to clean up.
In August 2021, under the leadership of FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, the agency implemented these policy changes to help simplify the disaster assistance process and provide greater equity to all disaster survivors.
“The Clean and Sanitize Assistance program is yet another critical resource FEMA provides to help protect the health and safety of people recovering from disasters,” said Administrator Criswell. “FEMA is using every tool at our disposal to ensure that all people affected by disaster, including those from low-income and underserved communities, are better able to access the resources they need to stay safe and protect their home.”
As a result of this initiative, over $31 million in additional cleaning and sanitizing assistance has gone to Hurricane Ian survivors, and over $59 million in additional assistance has been distributed to survivors of Hurricane Fiona.
To qualify for the CSA Program, one must meet the following criteria:
Dec. 6, 2022 FEMA News Desk Press Release
FEMA Advances Equity: Policy Change Provides Over $169 Million to Disaster Survivors for Mold Remediation
WASHINGTON -- This week, FEMA announced over $169 million in additional assistance has been provided to survivors because of a policy update which expanded home repair assistance to specifically address applicants with remediating disaster-caused mold growth. Because of the policy update, more than 111,000 additional applicants have been able to get assistance.
In August 2021, under the leadership of FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, the agency implemented these policy changes to help simplify the disaster assistance process and increase equity and accessibility for all disaster survivors.
Prior to the policy change, eligible applicants were able to receive assistance to clean and sanitize water-damaged property to prevent mold growth, but those funds weren’t provided for mold remediation from the disaster.
“Flooding can lead to dangerous mold growth, creating challenges for residents to remain in their homes after a disaster and putting their health and safety at risk,” said Administrator Criswell. “By expanding Home Repair Assistance so all residents, including those from low-income and underserved communities, can better access this critical resource, FEMA is putting people first and reducing the likelihood of additional damage to affected homes.”
As a result of this initiative, more than $17 million in mold remediation assistance has gone to survivors of Hurricane Ian and more than $3.5 million to survivors of Hurricane Fiona.
Nov. 22, 2022 FEMA News Desk Press Release
Deadline Approaching for Some Florida Flood Insurance Policyholders Affected by Hurricane Ian to Jumpstart Recovery
WASHINGTON -- The deadline is approaching for some National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholders in Florida areas impacted by Hurricane Ian to renew their policies without the consequence of a lapse in coverage.
Previously, NFIP announced that certain Florida policyholders impacted by Hurricane Ian have a 90-day grace period, instead of the standard 30-day grace period, to renew their policies. This means once the policy is renewed, if the policyholder suffered flood damage from Hurricane Ian or another flood, they may file a claim.
The extended grace period applies to policyholders whose flood insurance policy expiration dates began on Aug. 25, 2022, through and including Oct. 23, 2022. This means for policyholders whose renewal date was originally Aug. 25, the deadline for renewing their policy is now Wednesday, Nov. 23.
FEMA has identified over 11,000 policyholders in Florida who may still be able to renew their policy due to the grace period extension. FEMA estimates there are 220 policyholders who have until Nov. 23 to take advantage of the grace period extension.
The grace period extension will help thousands of Florida policyholders renew their flood insurance policies with no lapse in coverage. To maximize awareness, FEMA has taken the extraordinary step of going door-to-door to notify policyholders of this opportunity, while flood insurance companies and insurance agents have also been instructed to contact them.
There are 26 Florida counties designated for FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program where policyholders can take advantage of the grace period. FEMA encourages all affected policyholders residing in these counties to jumpstart their recovery by using the grace period to renew their policies as soon as possible.
As of Nov. 21, more than 45,000 policyholders have submitted claims for damage from Hurricane Ian. The majority of these claims are in Florida. The National Flood Insurance Program has paid more than $706 million in total claims payouts to insured policyholders.
Hurricane Fiona
Policyholders in Puerto Rico also received a 90-day extension. The renewal extension applies to policyholders whose flood insurance policy expiration dates began on Aug. 17, 2022, through and including Oct. 15, 2022. As of Nov. 14, there are over 79 policyholders who can still renew their flood insurance policy due to the grace period extension. As of Nov. 16, more than 121 claims have been submitted following Hurricane Fiona. The National Flood Insurance Program has paid over $880,000 in total claims payouts to insured policyholders in Puerto Rico.
Contact Your Insurance Agent or Company to Renew an Expired Policy
Policyholders who wish to take advantage of the grace period for either hurricane Fiona or Ian should contact their agent or insurance company today. Policyholders who don't have their insurance agent or company's contact information should call 877-336-2627 for assistance. To learn more about how to file a flood insurance claim visit floodsmart.gov.
FEMA Advances Accessibility: Policy Change Provides Over $117 Million to Disaster Survivors for Cleaning and Sanitizing Homes
WASHINGTON -- This week, FEMA announced over $117 million was provided to survivors in additional assistance due to a policy update which expanded cleaning and sanitizing assistance following a disaster. Because of the policy update, more than 391,000 additional applicants have been able to get financial help.
Under the Clean and Sanitize Assistance (CSA) program, if a survivor received minor damage to their home, but was able to live in the home, FEMA may be able to provide up to $300 to help prevent additional losses and to protect the health and safety of the survivor’s home. This assistance is for eligible homeowners and renters and can be used to pay for supplies or a service to clean up.
In August 2021, under the leadership of FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, the agency implemented these policy changes to help simplify the disaster assistance process and provide greater equity to all disaster survivors.
“The Clean and Sanitize Assistance program is yet another critical resource FEMA provides to help protect the health and safety of people recovering from disasters,” said Administrator Criswell. “FEMA is using every tool at our disposal to ensure that all people affected by disaster, including those from low-income and underserved communities, are better able to access the resources they need to stay safe and protect their home.”
As a result of this initiative, over $31 million in additional cleaning and sanitizing assistance has gone to Hurricane Ian survivors, and over $59 million in additional assistance has been distributed to survivors of Hurricane Fiona.
To qualify for the CSA Program, one must meet the following criteria:
- An occupancy verified by FEMA
- A pre-disaster primary home located in a designated county, parish or municipality for Individual Assistance
- The inspection noted that clean-up actions are needed or have been taken (for renters)
- Damage that is not covered by one's insurance
- The primary residence had disaster damage but is still safe to occupy
Dec. 6, 2022 FEMA News Desk Press Release
FEMA Advances Equity: Policy Change Provides Over $169 Million to Disaster Survivors for Mold Remediation
WASHINGTON -- This week, FEMA announced over $169 million in additional assistance has been provided to survivors because of a policy update which expanded home repair assistance to specifically address applicants with remediating disaster-caused mold growth. Because of the policy update, more than 111,000 additional applicants have been able to get assistance.
In August 2021, under the leadership of FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, the agency implemented these policy changes to help simplify the disaster assistance process and increase equity and accessibility for all disaster survivors.
Prior to the policy change, eligible applicants were able to receive assistance to clean and sanitize water-damaged property to prevent mold growth, but those funds weren’t provided for mold remediation from the disaster.
“Flooding can lead to dangerous mold growth, creating challenges for residents to remain in their homes after a disaster and putting their health and safety at risk,” said Administrator Criswell. “By expanding Home Repair Assistance so all residents, including those from low-income and underserved communities, can better access this critical resource, FEMA is putting people first and reducing the likelihood of additional damage to affected homes.”
As a result of this initiative, more than $17 million in mold remediation assistance has gone to survivors of Hurricane Ian and more than $3.5 million to survivors of Hurricane Fiona.
- Remedies for mold and flooded items: Make sure you disinfect anything that’s touched floodwater. Any structure that’s been flooded may have mold.
- Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water and dry completely.
Nov. 22, 2022 FEMA News Desk Press Release
Deadline Approaching for Some Florida Flood Insurance Policyholders Affected by Hurricane Ian to Jumpstart Recovery
WASHINGTON -- The deadline is approaching for some National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholders in Florida areas impacted by Hurricane Ian to renew their policies without the consequence of a lapse in coverage.
Previously, NFIP announced that certain Florida policyholders impacted by Hurricane Ian have a 90-day grace period, instead of the standard 30-day grace period, to renew their policies. This means once the policy is renewed, if the policyholder suffered flood damage from Hurricane Ian or another flood, they may file a claim.
The extended grace period applies to policyholders whose flood insurance policy expiration dates began on Aug. 25, 2022, through and including Oct. 23, 2022. This means for policyholders whose renewal date was originally Aug. 25, the deadline for renewing their policy is now Wednesday, Nov. 23.
FEMA has identified over 11,000 policyholders in Florida who may still be able to renew their policy due to the grace period extension. FEMA estimates there are 220 policyholders who have until Nov. 23 to take advantage of the grace period extension.
The grace period extension will help thousands of Florida policyholders renew their flood insurance policies with no lapse in coverage. To maximize awareness, FEMA has taken the extraordinary step of going door-to-door to notify policyholders of this opportunity, while flood insurance companies and insurance agents have also been instructed to contact them.
There are 26 Florida counties designated for FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program where policyholders can take advantage of the grace period. FEMA encourages all affected policyholders residing in these counties to jumpstart their recovery by using the grace period to renew their policies as soon as possible.
As of Nov. 21, more than 45,000 policyholders have submitted claims for damage from Hurricane Ian. The majority of these claims are in Florida. The National Flood Insurance Program has paid more than $706 million in total claims payouts to insured policyholders.
Hurricane Fiona
Policyholders in Puerto Rico also received a 90-day extension. The renewal extension applies to policyholders whose flood insurance policy expiration dates began on Aug. 17, 2022, through and including Oct. 15, 2022. As of Nov. 14, there are over 79 policyholders who can still renew their flood insurance policy due to the grace period extension. As of Nov. 16, more than 121 claims have been submitted following Hurricane Fiona. The National Flood Insurance Program has paid over $880,000 in total claims payouts to insured policyholders in Puerto Rico.
Contact Your Insurance Agent or Company to Renew an Expired Policy
Policyholders who wish to take advantage of the grace period for either hurricane Fiona or Ian should contact their agent or insurance company today. Policyholders who don't have their insurance agent or company's contact information should call 877-336-2627 for assistance. To learn more about how to file a flood insurance claim visit floodsmart.gov.
Excerpt from Oct. 22, 2022 Governor's Office Press Release
The following are possible resources for families affected by Hurricane Ian:
For more information about Florida Housing Finance Corporation and disaster relief resources, please visit Disaster Relief Resources and Information (floridahousing.org)
FEMA News Release: Oct. 16, 2022
FEMA Provides $420 million to Floridians to Jumpstart Hurricane Ian Recovery
WASHINGTON -- FEMA is providing rental assistance, hotel stays, repair assistance, reimbursement for temporary lodging and other forms of support for Floridians affected by Hurricane Ian who can’t live in their homes. As of today, FEMA has provided $420 million in assistance to help survivors jumpstart their recovery.
How FEMA is helping Floridians:
The following are possible resources for families affected by Hurricane Ian:
- Individuals that have been displaced from their homes are encouraged to visit: www.FloridaHousingSearch.org. This free, statewide search platform is constantly being updated to ensure all listings are accurate and can help quickly locate an affordable rental property. If you do not have Internet access, you may also call the following toll-free number for assistance in conducting a search: 1-877-428-8844.
- If your home sustained damage as a result of the storm, your local State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program office may have recovery assistance available to help with temporary relocation, rental assistance, debris removal and/or home repairs. Please contact your local SHIP office directly for more information: Local Government Information (floridahousing.org)
- Florida residents can apply for federal assistance to help with disaster-related expenses, including temporary lodging. For more information please visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or use the FEMA App
- Residents who used Florida Housing’s Homeownership Loan Program (HLP) may be eligible for Disaster Relief Assistance through US Bank. Please visit their website for more information: Disaster relief assistance | Here for you | U.S. Bank (usbank.com)
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and Federal Housing Administration loans (FHA) back the majority of U.S. mortgages – and each has some kind of program to help homeowners struggling to pay their monthly mortgage payment after a disaster. Disaster relief options are offered to homeowners in declared major disaster areas. However, even homeowners outside those areas may have options if their home incurred a disaster-related loss that impacts their ability to make a mortgage payment. Foreclosure and other legal proceedings are also suspended while homeowners are on a forbearance plan. Click here to learn more<https://t.e2ma.net/click/0tituj/o0jx3xc/gikflcb>.
- Operation Blue Roof<https://t.e2ma.net/click/0tituj/o0jx3xc/walflcb>: Operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Operation Blue Roof provides homeowners and permanently occupied rental properties in disaster areas with fiber-reinforced sheeting to cover their damaged roofs until arrangements can be made for permanent repairs.
- If you own a private business that has been impacted, please visit www.FloridaDisaster.biz.
For more information about Florida Housing Finance Corporation and disaster relief resources, please visit Disaster Relief Resources and Information (floridahousing.org)
FEMA News Release: Oct. 16, 2022
FEMA Provides $420 million to Floridians to Jumpstart Hurricane Ian Recovery
WASHINGTON -- FEMA is providing rental assistance, hotel stays, repair assistance, reimbursement for temporary lodging and other forms of support for Floridians affected by Hurricane Ian who can’t live in their homes. As of today, FEMA has provided $420 million in assistance to help survivors jumpstart their recovery.
How FEMA is helping Floridians:
- FEMA has made individual assistance available to 26 counties in Florida. Residents 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 are eligible to apply for Individual Assistance.
- FEMA is meeting survivors where they are to help jumpstart their recoveries. Disaster Survivor Assistance specialists are going door-to-door in Florida neighborhoods to help individuals register for assistance. These teams have interacted with 26,500 individuals. Survivors can visit one of 14 Disaster Recovery Centers operating in Charlotte, Collier, Hardee, Highlands, Lake, Lee (2 locations), Orange, Osceola, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia counties. More centers are planned to open in the coming days. Interpretation services and translated materials are available at these centers to help survivors communicate in the language with which they feel most comfortable. Disaster Recovery Center locations are chosen for their accessibility, with the goal of reaching as many people as possible. As centers are added, real-time locations will be updated at FloridaDisaster.org.
- FEMA will pay hotel and motel costs for eligible survivors. FEMA and the state of Florida activated the Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program, which allows FEMA to make payments directly to participating hotels and motels in Alabama, Florida and Georgia that provide emergency shelter to survivors. As of today, the program is providing housing for 1,256 households with 3,233 members.
- Hundreds of FEMA inspectors have performed over 73,000 home inspections for survivors who applied for federal disaster assistance.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $65.4 million in low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and business owners. Business Recovery Centers are located in Collier, DeSoto, Hillsborough, Lee and Seminole counties.
- As of Oct. 16, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has received more than 39,000 flood insurance claims and paid more than $77 million to policyholders, including $56 million in advance payments.
- NFIP policyholders may receive up to $1,000 to reimburse the purchase of supplies like sandbags, plastic sheeting and lumber. They may also receive up to $1,000 in storage expenses if they moved insured property. Policyholders should file a claim for flood loss avoidance reimbursement, regardless of whether it was successful in preventing flood damage.
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to eligible survivors. Floridians can file a claim for loss of income caused by Hurricane Ian by going to Disaster Unemployment Assistance - FloridaJobs.org and selecting “Apply for Hurricane Ian DUA,” visiting a local CareerSource Career Center, or calling 800-385-3920. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET.
- Low-income Florida residents recovering from Hurricane Ian may be eligible for assistance from the Department of Agriculture’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). Survivors can find more information on Florida’s D-SNAP program by visiting the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Hurricane Ian Response & Recovery website.
- Operation Blue Roof has installed 1,521 roofs. This is a free service provided to homeowners and is currently operating in Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Lee and Sarasota counties. Residents impacted by Hurricane Ian can sign up at BlueRoof.us or call toll-free at 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258) for more information. The call center will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
- National Flood Insurance Program Florida policyholders who had flood damage from the hurricane have a 90-day window to renew their policies. The extension applies to policies with renewal dates beginning Aug. 25, through Oct. 23. Policyholders whose renewal date is in this range should contact their agent or insurance company. FEMA also extended the proof of loss requirement for flood insurance policyholders in Florida who experienced flood damage from Hurricane Ian from 60 to 365 days. For more information on how to file a flood insurance claim, visit How to Start Your Flood Insurance Claim.
- FEMA approved Critical Needs Assistance for disaster survivors with immediate or critical needs because they are displaced from their primary dwelling. Immediate or critical needs are life-saving and life-sustaining items. This assistance is a one-time payment of $700 per household.
- If you or a member of your household uses adaptive or accessibility items that were damaged by Hurricane Ian, you may be eligible for FEMA assistance for those items. For homeowners, items can include an exterior ramp, grab bars and a paved pathway to the home’s entrance from a vehicle. Awards do not count toward your Housing Assistance or Personal Property maximum awards. For more information for homeowners and renters, visit Update to FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide.
Florida residents can call the Florida State Assistance Information Line at 800-342-3557 to receive up-to-date information regarding Hurricane Ian.
- Visit Hurricane Ian | FEMA.gov for information and resources available for Florida residents affected by the storm. The page will be available in Creole, Simplified Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish and Vietnamese.
- Medically dependent residents of Florida who need electricity to operate medical equipment, transport services to evacuated due to a medical condition or need help getting medication during a disaster can register for assistance at FloridaDisaster.org/SNR.
- Florida residents who did not evacuate but now need to leave their home can visit www.floridadisaster.org/shelter-status for open general and special needs shelters in Florida. If you do leave your home, do not leave pets or animals behind. You can also register other members of your household and your pets on Shelter in Place Survey (arcgis.com) to help local first responders locate you.
- Impacted people who live in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Seminole counties can apply for federal assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or by using the FEMA App. Survivors using a relay service, such as a video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, can give the FEMA operator the number for that service. You can apply for assistance online at https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20220929/how-apply-fema-assistance-after-hurricane-ian
- Homeowners with flood insurance who experienced damage or loss should report the lose loss immediately to their insurance agent or carrier. Be sure to ask them about advance payments. Need help finding your insurance agent or carrier? Call 877-336-2627. To learn more about how to start your flood insurance claim, visit Floodsmart.gov.
- Small Business Administration disaster loans are available to businesses, homeowners, renters and nonprofit organizations in Florida counties approved for individual assistance. Applicants may apply at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov under declaration #17644. For help, call 800-659-2955 or send an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
- Mental health resources are available. Survivors experiencing emotional distress can call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. The national hotline provides free 24/7, crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL callers can use a videophone or ASL Now.
- The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has free reunification assistance for children and families impacted by disasters. If you or someone you know is missing a child related to a disaster or any other incident, please immediately call 911 and then 800-THE-LOST for assistance.
