ORLANDO, Fla. – Homeowners and renters in 34 Florida counties impacted by Hurricane Milton can now apply for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for Florida in the wake of the hurricane, opening the door to federal disaster assistance including costs associated with displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair, property loss and other storm-related needs.
To apply, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call FEMA’s helpline at 800-621-3362.
Assistance is available for affected homeowners and renters in the following counties:
Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter and Volusia and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.
Those who applied for FEMA assistance after hurricanes Debby and Helene must apply separately for Hurricane Milton assistance. Each disaster may require a separate home inspection.
Business bridge loans available
State officials are also reminding business owners that the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is available to businesses with fewer than 100 employees, including sole proprietors. The loans are intended to bridge the gap while small businesses wait on other funding, such as insurance.
For Hurricane Milton, businesses in the following counties are eligible: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Suwanee, Taylor, Union and Volusia counties.
To date, the program, administered through FloridaCommerce, has approved more than $10 million to more than 242 Florida small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene.
For Hurricane Helene, eligible businesses must be located in the following counties:
Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington counties.
Business owners who need further program information may call 833-832-4494, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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