Help Available for Tropical Storm Debby Survivors

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – There are a number of ways for Tropical Storm Debby survivors to get help as they recover from Tropical Storm Debby.

Information and assistance is available in the following ways:

  • Anyone who has questions about a letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the agency’s programs for individuals, can call the toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and assistance is available in most languages. Survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing can use the TTY line at 800-462-7585.
  • Survivors and businesses may obtain information on low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration by calling 800-659-2955 or online at www.sba.gov. Survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing can use the TTY line at 800-877-8339.
  • The Florida Volunteer and Donation Hotline can connect survivors with a local volunteer agency: 800-FL-HELP-1 (800-354-3571).
  • Survivors who can’t afford an attorney and run into legal difficulties due to the storm may call the Florida Disaster Legal Services hotline at 866-550-2929 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Assistance is available in Spanish.

Survivors have until Sept. 4 to register for federal disaster assistance by calling FEMA.

Applicants can sign up for Tropical Storm Debby recovery updates via email by going to www.fema.gov/disaster/4068 and clicking the subscription link. It’s a simple process that only requires a valid email address. During signup, subscribers can choose to receive updates immediately, daily or weekly.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or www.floridadisaster.org. On Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/FloridaSERT. To receive Twitter updates: www.twitter.com/FLSERT or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

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.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Help Available for Tropical Storm Debby Survivors

Waiting for an Insurance Settlement? FEMA Can Help

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Even if survivors of Tropical Storm Debby have insurance, temporary disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency may still help.

Disaster assistance may be able to fill insurance gaps or help those who have been waiting more than 30 days on a homeowner’s insurance claim.

To receive assistance residents must write a letter to FEMA explaining their situation and provide insurance documentation that proves they filed their claim. Any help awarded is considered an advance and may need to be repaid promptly to FEMA once an insurance settlement is received.

Assistance may also be available to those who have exhausted their policy’s additional living expenses.

Survivors need to mail their insurance information and their letter requesting help to:

FEMA

National Processing Service Center

P.O. Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD 20782-70155

Or fax it to: 800-827-8112

Survivors must repay their disaster assistance if there is a duplication of benefits after they receive their insurance settlement.

Those who still have questions may call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362).

Assistance is available in most languages and lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.

They may also call the state Insurance Consumer Advocate helpline at 877-693-5236, toll-free in Florida, and 850-413-3089 from out of state.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or www.floridadisaster.org. On Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/FloridaSERT. To receive Twitter updates: www.twitter.com/FLSERT or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

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.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Waiting for an Insurance Settlement? FEMA Can Help

FEMA: Survivors Need to Spend Disaster Aid Wisely

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Tropical Storm Debby survivors should use their government grants only to meet specific disaster-related needs.

Federal assistance received from the state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency must be spent for repairs or replacement of items that were damaged as a direct result of the disaster and that are not covered by insurance.

Housing Assistance grants are intended for basic housing needs, including repairs to a septic system or private well. They may also be used for temporary rent payments or reimbursement of hotel/motel expenses.

Other Needs Assistance grants are intended to help repair or replace essential personal property and meet disaster-related medical, dental and funeral expenses.

FEMA financial assistance is provided by check or deposited electronically, and it is followed by a letter explaining how the money should be spent. Government-issued assistance may be audited. Survivors should keep receipts for three years to document disaster-related expenses.

Survivors who suspect someone is filing a false damage claim may call the FEMA fraud hotline at 800-323-8603.

The first step toward obtaining recovery assistance is to register with FEMA:

  • By phone, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time. Assistance is available in many languages. Those who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have a speech disability may use TTY 800-462-7585.
  • By computer, go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • By smartphone or tablet, use m.fema.gov.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or www.floridadisaster.org. On Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/FloridaSERT. To receive Twitter updates: www.twitter.com/FLSERT or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

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.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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FEMA: Survivors Need to Spend Disaster Aid Wisely

Crawfordville Disaster Recovery Center Transitioning to SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The disaster recovery center in Crawfordville will transition to a disaster loan outreach center operated by the U.S. Small Business Administration at 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 6. The center will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Thursday, Aug. 9.

Homeowners, renters and business owners who visit the center can talk with SBA representatives about low-interest disaster loans, get help filling out loan applications and submit completed applications. Federal Emergency Management Agency staff will also be there to answer questions about FEMA registration and disaster assistance.

A disaster recovery center typically meets the more immediate concerns of storm survivors, while a disaster loan outreach center focuses on funds needed for long-term rebuilding and recovery.

The center will remain at the Wakulla Agricultural Center, 84 Cedar Ave. in Crawfordville.

Completing and submitting SBA disaster loan applications is important because it may pave the way for additional FEMA assistance. There are valid reasons for applying, even if you think you won’t need a loan.

  • SBA can offer temporary loans to help cover immediate expenses until insurance is settled.
  • SBA can offer loans with terms of up to 30 years and interest rates as low as 1.9 percent.
  • SBA disaster loans can be used by a homeowner to repair or replace their primary residence.
  • Homeowners and renters can replace damaged household contents and vehicles with SBA disaster loans.
  • Business owners can apply to SBA for disaster loans for physical damages or economic losses.

Survivors and businesses may apply online at SBA’s secure website https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; or obtain information on SBA disaster loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY) or online at www.sba.gov.

Help is always available by calling FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and assistance is available in most languages. Survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY can call 800-462-7585.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or www.floridadisaster.org. On Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/FloridaSERT. To receive Twitter updates: www.twitter.com/FLSERT or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

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.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Crawfordville Disaster Recovery Center Transitioning to SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center

Disaster Recovery Center in Citrus County Open Through Wednesday

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A disaster recovery center is open in Citrus County to help those whose homes or businesses were affected by Tropical Storm Debby. It will remain open through Wednesday, Aug. 8. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday.

The center is located at:

Citrus County Emergency Operations Center

3549 Saunders Way

Lecanto, FL 34461

Representatives from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U. S. Small Business Administration and other agencies will be at the center to explain disaster assistance programs and help survivors apply for aid.

If possible, before going to a disaster recovery center, people with storm or flooding losses should register with FEMA. There are three ways to apply:

  • By calling 800-621-FEMA (3362). Help is available in most languages, and lines are open7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.
  • Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • By tablet or smartphone using the FEMA app or m.fema.gov.

Anyone who sustained damage in any of the 22 Florida counties designated for federal individual disaster assistance can visit any disaster recovery center.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property loss and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are also available to help with residential and business losses not covered by insurance. Survivors and businesses may apply online at SBA’s secure website https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; or obtain information on SBA disaster loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY) or online at www.sba.gov.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or www.floridadisaster.org. On Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/FloridaSERT. To receive Twitter updates: www.twitter.com/FLSERT or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

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.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Disaster Recovery Center in Citrus County Open Through Wednesday

Tropical Storm Debby Help is Ongoing

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Tropical Storm Debby survivors can continue to get help from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other agencies.

Survivors can still apply for federal disaster assistance by calling FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and assistance is available in most languages. Survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing can use the TTY line at 800-462-7585.

People may also call the helpline or visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov to get updates on the status of their application and to get answers to their recovery questions.

To date, almost 7,600 visitors have stopped by disaster recovery centers. Some centers closed following a decrease in traffic, indicating the information needs of survivors in those areas have mostly been met.

In addition to the helpline, assistance is available from the following agencies:

  • The Florida Volunteer and Donation Hotline can connect survivors with a local volunteer agency: 800-FL-HELP-1 (800-354-3571).
  • Survivors and businesses may obtain information from the U.S. Small Business Administration by calling 800-659-2955. Survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing can use the TTY line at800-877-8339 or online at www.sba.gov.
  • Survivors who can’t afford an attorney who run into legal difficulties due to the storm may call the Florida Disaster Legal Services hotline at 866-550-2929 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Assistance is available in Spanish.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to survivors in participating counties. Claimants should visit www.floridajobs.org/dua or by calling 800-204-2418, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or http://www.floridadisaster.org. On Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/FloridaSERT. To receive Twitter updates: www.twitter.com/FLSERT or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

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.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Tropical Storm Debby Help is Ongoing

Last Chance to Visit Disaster Recovery Centers in Pinellas and Sarasota Counties

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Tropical Storm Debby survivors have until Saturday to visit disaster recovery centers in Pinellas and Sarasota counties. 

Representatives from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U. S. Small Business Administration and other agencies are at the centers to explain disaster assistance programs and help survivors apply for aid.

The state and FEMA closely monitor visitor traffic at all Florida disaster recovery centers. Traffic to the Pinellas Park and Venice centers has decreased, indicating the information needs of survivors in those areas have mostly been met.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until Saturday, Aug. 4 at the following locations:

Pinellas County

Park Station, Pinellas Park Chamber of Commerce

5851 Park Blvd.

Pinellas Park, FL 33781

Sarasota County

Venice City Hall

Community Hall Room 114

401 W. Venice Ave.

Venice, FL 34285

Help is always available by calling FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open from      7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and assistance is available in most languages. Survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY can call 800-462-7585.

Helpline staff can direct survivors to any of the remaining recovery centers if face-to-face guidance is needed. The nearest center can also be found by going to www.FEMA.gov/DRCLocator.

If possible, survivors should register with FEMA before going to a center. Registration is available by calling the helpline; going online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov; or by using the FEMA app or going to m.fema.gov with a smartphone or tablet.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or www.floridadisaster.org. On Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/FloridaSERT. To receive Twitter updates: www.twitter.com/FLSERT or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

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.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Last Chance to Visit Disaster Recovery Centers in Pinellas and Sarasota Counties

Disaster Recovery Center Opening in Steinhatchee to Help Tropical Storm Debby Survivors

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A disaster recovery center will open in Steinhatchee at noon on Thursday, July 26. The center will be open through Saturday, July 28, to help those whose homes or businesses were affected by Tropical Storm Debby. 

Representatives from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U. S. Small Business Administration and other agencies will be at the center to explain disaster assistance programs and help survivors apply for aid.

The center will be open noon to 6 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the following location:

Steinhatchee Elementary School

1209 1st Ave. SE

Steinhatchee, FL 32359

If possible, before going to a disaster recovery center, people with storm or flooding losses should register with FEMA. There are three ways to apply:

  • By calling 800-621-FEMA (3362). Help is available in most languages, and lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.
  • Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • By tablet or smartphone using the FEMA app or m.fema.gov.

Anyone who sustained damage in any of the Florida counties designated for federal individual disaster assistance can visit any disaster recovery center.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property loss and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are also available to help with residential and business losses not covered by insurance. Survivors and businesses may apply online at SBA’s secure website https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; or obtain information on SBA disaster loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing) or online at www.sba.gov.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit  www.fema.gov or www.floridadisaster.org. On Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/FloridaSERT. To receive Twitter updates: www.twitter.com/FLSERT or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

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.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Disaster Recovery Center Opening in Steinhatchee to Help Tropical Storm Debby Survivors

Last Chance to Visit Disaster Recovery Centers in Baker and Nassau Counties

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Tropical Storm Debby survivors have until Saturday to visit disaster recovery centers in Baker and Nassau counties.

Representatives from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U. S. Small Business Administration and other agencies are at the center to explain disaster assistance programs and help survivors apply for aid.

The state and FEMA closely monitor visitor traffic at all Florida disaster recovery centers. Traffic to the Baker and Nassau county centers has decreased, indicating the information needs of survivors in those areas have mostly been met.

Survivors who need face-to-face help should visit the centers by Saturday, July 28. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at the following locations:

Baker County

Apt. No. 1

(across the street from Christian Fellowship Temple)

337 N. 7th St.

Macclenny, FL 32063

 

Nassau County

Nassau County Emergency Operations Center

(across the street from the Nassau County Courthouse)

77150 Citizens Circle

Yulee, FL 32097

Help is always available by calling FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and assistance is available in most languages. Survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY can call 800-462-7585.

Helpline staff can direct survivors to any of the remaining recovery centers if face-to-face guidance is needed. The nearest center can also be found by going to www.FEMA.gov/DRCLocator.

If possible, survivors should register with FEMA before going to a center. Registration is available by calling the helpline; going online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov; or by using the FEMA app or going to m.fema.gov with a smartphone or tablet.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or www.floridadisaster.org. On Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/FloridaSERT. To receive Twitter updates: www.twitter.com/FLSERT or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

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.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

 

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Last Chance to Visit Disaster Recovery Centers in Baker and Nassau Counties

Tropical Storm Debby Survivor Information

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Tropical Storm Debby survivors in Citrus, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Polk and Sarasota counties in Florida can now apply for federal disaster assistance.

What the disaster designation means:

For survivors and business owners who sustained damages or losses in those counties, money for temporary housing, essential home repairs and other disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance may be available. Renters, homeowners and business owners can register for help through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Survivors can register with FEMA by one of the following methods:

  • Call 800-621-FEMA (3362). Assistance is available in most languages and lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. If you are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585.
  • Go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • By smartphone or tablet, use the FEMA app or go to m.fema.gov.

FEMA will ask for the following information:

  • The telephone number where you can be reached;
  • The address where you lived at the time of the disaster and the address where you are staying;
  • Your Social Security number;
  • A general description of damage to your property and other losses;
  • The name of your insurance company and policy number or agent if you have property insurance; and
  • Your bank account routing information if you want FEMA to use direct deposit.

Beware of fraud

Suspicions of fraud or attempts to scam survivors should be reported to local law enforcement immediately. People who suspect anyone of committing contractor fraud should contact the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation by calling 866-532-1440 or by emailing ULA@dbpr.state.fl.us. 

Community relations teams canvassing disaster areas

Community relations teams are in designated counties going door to door with disaster assistance information to help survivors recover from Tropical Storm Debby.

Anyone representing the SERT or FEMA, including FEMA-contracted home and property damage inspectors, carries a photo ID ensuring they are easily identifiable. FEMA and SERT teams wear agency shirts.

SBA low-interest disaster loans:

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are also available to help with residential and business losses not covered by insurance.

  • Survivors and businesses may obtain information on SBA disaster loan applications by calling 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY) or online at www.sba.gov.
  • They may also apply for disaster loans at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or http://www.floridadisaster.org. On Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/FloridaSERT. To receive Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/FLSERT or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

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.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

 

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Tropical Storm Debby Survivor Information

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