The non-profit law firm, FRLS, works to help individuals and families in urban and rural communities recover from the effects of major disasters, at no cost.
Recovering from Hurricane Milton:
AFTER THE STORM, YOU ARE ADVISED TO:
1. File all claims directly with your insurance company.
2. Contact your insurance company before entering into any contract for repairs to confirm any managed repair policy provisions or optional preferred vendors.
3. Make and document emergency repairs that are necessary to prevent further damage. Keep the damaged property, if feasible, keep all receipts, and take photographs or video of damage before and after any repairs to provide to your insurer.
4. Carefully read any contract that requires you to pay out-of-pocket expenses or a fee that is based on a percentage of the insurance proceeds that you will receive for repairing or replacing your property.
5. Confirm that the contractor you choose is licensed to do business in Florida. You can verify a contractor’s license and check to see if there are any complaints against him or her by calling the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. You should also ask the contractor for references from previous work.
6. Require all contractors to provide proof of insurance before beginning repairs.
7. Take precautions if the damage requires you to leave your home, including securing your property and turning off your gas, water, and electricity, and contacting your insurance company and provide a phone number where you can be reached.
Recovering from Impact of Hurricane Helene:
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
1. Disaster survivors can apply to receive assistance through FEMA’s Individual and Household Program. Examples of services/assistance include temporary housing, emergency home repairs, compensation for food, personal property losses, medical, dental, and funeral expenses caused by a disaster.
2. Visit https://www.ready.gov/ for more information.
3. Who can apply to FEMA? U.S. Citizens, permanent residents/green card holders, and other qualified immigrants, such as refugees or asylees.
4. When can you apply? You must apply for FEMA assistance within 60 days of the Presidential Disaster Declaration and approval of assistance for individuals.
5. How do you apply? You can apply online at disasterassistance.gov, by phone at 1-800-621-3362, using FEMA’s mobile app, or in person at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) or Mobile Registration Intake Center (MRIC).
6. What you need to apply? You will need the address of the damaged home, documentation proving ownership of the home at the time of the disaster, descriptions of damages to your home, insurance information (if applicable), social security number, contact information, total household income at the time of the disaster.
7. Once you apply for FEMA disaster relief benefits, you should receive a nine-digit registration number. Note-there is a 60-day deadline to appeal FEMA decisions.
DISASTER RESOURCES TO KEEP IN MIND
Know what aid could be afforded to you after a hurricane in Florida.
DISASTER SNAP BENEFITS
The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) provides food assistance for individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Ian and who are not receiving food assistance benefits through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Benefits will be automatically applied to EBT cards starting this week. There is no need to apply for these benefits. There is no need to come to an on-site DSNAP event, benefits will be automatically applied to EBT cards after applications are processed.
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT (DUA)
Did you lose your job, or was your work or self-employment interrupted because of the hurricane?
If so, you may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance; if you:
are unemployed as a direct result of Hurricane Ian;
were scheduled to start a new job but were unable to as a direct result of Hurricane Ian;
are unable to reach your job or self-employment location because you have to travel through an affected area and Hurricane Ian prevented this;
have become the primary breadwinner because the head of the household died as a direct result Hurricane Ian; or
are unable to work because of an injury that was a direct result of Hurricane Ian.
FEMA INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE
If you live in one of the counties listed above, you may be eligible for FEMA benefits.
Funds for temporary housing while you are unable to live in your home
A temporary housing unit, when you are not able to use rental assistance due to a lack of available housing resources
Funds to support the repair or replacement of owner-occupied homes that serve as the household’s primary residence
Funds for other uninsured or under-insured disaster-caused expenses and serious needs, such as repair or replacement of personal property and vehicles, or funds for moving and storage, medical, dental, child care, funeral
Funds for hazard mitigation assistance to help eligible homeowners repair or rebuild stronger, more durable homes.
Upcoming Disaster Relief Events for Folks in SWFL to Speak Face-to-Face with FRLS
In-Person Outreach Events
Hurricane & Storm Checklist
Disaster Services Funded By:
How Do I Appeal the Final FEMA Decision?
FRLS can help your appeal, please call
1-888-582-3410.
- Applicants can appeal any FEMA decision. Appeals must be made in writing and sent by mail or fax to FEMA within 60 days of receiving the letter. Appeals, pictures and documents can be faxed to 800-827-8112 or uploaded to your FEMA account.
- An appeal is a written request to FEMA to review your file again, and an opportunity to provide new or additional information not previously submitted that may affect the decision.
- Appeal letters and supporting documentation also can be uploaded to your account online at DisasterAssistance.gov, or faxed to 800-827-8112.
