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Hurricane Helene & Milton - Recovery Assistance Information

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This information page will be continue to be updated as new information becomes available. For all storm-related information, please visit the Hurricane Helene Information Page and Hurricane Milton Information Page.

Recovery Assistance IconUPDATED DECEMBER 18, 2024

FEMA RENTAL ASSISTANCE

FEMA may provide financial assistance to rent alternate temporary housing if you are displaced from your primary residence due to Hurricanes Helene and/or Milton. FEMA Rental Assistance is intended to cover the monthly rent amount, which may include a security deposit, as a place other than your damaged home. Your rental can be near your job, home, school and place of worship. The assistance may include essential utilities such as gas, oil, trash, sewer, electricity, and water, but not cable or internet.

Download the Informational Flyer for more information.

ELEVATE FLORIDA - RESIDENTIAL MITIGATION PROGRAM

The City of Tarpon Springs has been notified by the Florida Division of Emergency Management that they are launching their first statewide Residential Mitigation program, Elevate Florida. The goal of this program is to enhance community resilience by mitigating private residences through elevation, mitigation reconstruction, and acquisition.

Interested parties are encouraged to reach out directly to the Florida Division of Emergency Management at ResidentialMitigation@em.myflorida.com for more information. The City has not received any additional information on funding opportunities at this time. For additional information on Elevate Florida, please go to Residential Mitigation | Florida Disaster or download the informational flyer.

NOTICE OF VOLUNTARY INTEREST FORM

We know that many of our residents were affected by the past several storms. At this time, we are currently waiting for funding to become available, which could take quite some time, possible 1.5 - 2 years. Although we do not have those dates, we continue attending meetings with the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) and FEMA to learn more about funding opportunities. In the interim, we will keep your name as an interested party.

Please complete the Notice of Voluntary Interest Form and email it back to either pharbert@ctsfl.us or maraya@tsfr.us. We will notify you once funding becomes available.

FEMA 2024 APPLICATION DEADLINES EXTENDED

  • Hurricane Helene - January 7, 2025
  • Hurricane Milton - January 7, 2025

HOMEOWNERS / RENTERS RECOVERY ASSISTANCE

Homeowner Recovery Assistance Available

FEMA Assistance: FEMA is offering a wide variety of help to people affected by the recent hurricanes. Every homeowner and renter who suffered damage is encouraged to apply. All individuals who are impacted by a storm should apply for FEMA assistance. Please call 1-800-621-3362, or visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov to apply. Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance click here.

**If you applied to FEMA after Hurricane Debby and have additional damage from Hurricane Helene, you will need to apply separately for Helene and provide the dates of your most recent damage.

Renter Assistance Available

FEMA Assistance: FEMA Individual Assistance is available to renters, including students, as well as homeowners with uninsured losses. FEMA awards may help pay for temporary housing. Renters may also qualify for an award under FEMA's Other Needs Assistance program for uninsured or underinsured essential personal property losses and other disaster-related expenses. These may include:

  • Replacement or repair of necessary personal property, such as furniture, appliances, clothing, textbooks, or school supplies.
  • Repair or replacement of tools and other job-related equipment required by the self-employed.
  • If your vehicle was damaged by the storms and is no longer operable (and the vehicle complies with state registration and insurance requirements) FEMA may be able to help.
  • Uninsured or out-of-pocket funeral, medical, dental, childcare, assistance for miscellaneous items, moving and storage expenses.

Renters are encouraged to apply by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by visiting www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

SBA Assistance: Whether you rent or own your own home, business, or farm located in a declared disaster area, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the Small Business Administration. Please note that the filing deadline for SBA might be different than the FEMA deadline. Make sure you pay attention to the deadlines.

• Apply by phone to SBA: 1-800-659-2955
• Apply online anytime at https://lending.sba.gov/search-disaster/.
• E-mail: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE TAX RELIEF

The Florida Department of Revenue is is offering tax relief in the wake of Hurricane Helene. More information can be found by clicking here to download the document.

DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER

The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the Florida Botanical Gardens (12520 Ulmerton Rd., Largo) will close Friday, Nov. 1st). The facility will open in a new location on Saturday, November 2nd through November 27th. When visiting a DRC, be sure to bring identification, proof of residence, insurance information, and any documentation related to your disaster-related losses to facilitate the application process and ensure you receive the appropriate assistance.

  • Location: Enoch D. Davis Center, 1111 18th Ave. S., St. Petersburg (starting Nov. 2nd)
  • Hours: Monday - Sunday, 7:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M.

The DRCs serve as centralized locations where people can access various services and information related to disaster recovery including:

  • Information and Guidance
  • Application Assistance
  • Translation and Accessibility Services
  • Status Updates
  • Access to Disaster-Related Resources
  • Access to Computers and Phone (Computers are also available for use at the Tarpon Springs Library [138 E. Lemon Street])

In addition to FEMA, the following agencies will provide assistance at the DRC:

  • Florida Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Florida Department of Commerce
  • Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
  • Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
  • Florida Department of Elder Affairs
  • Florida Department of Insurance Regulation
  • Florida Department of Children and Families with Hope Florida Navigators

More information, click here. Clickable link to FEMA registration site.

HOUSING OPTIONS FOR STORM DISPLACED RESIDENTS

If you have been displaced due to Hurricane Helene, a list of resources to help you search for short-and-long term housing options is available here: https://pinellas.gov/hurricanehousing

FEMA Displacement Assistance may also be available to displaced residents after receiving an inspection. The funds can be used to stay in a hotel, with family and friends or for other options while you look for temporary housing. Click here for more information.

BUSINESS RECOVERY ASSISTANCE

Business Recovery Assistance AvailableInfographic with business recovery resources
Businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene can now access disaster recovery assistance and emergency loan programs. (Download Informational Flyer Here)

  1. Complete the Florida Business Disaster Assessment Survey at https://floridadisaster.biz/Respond/BusinessDamageAssessmentsSurvey.
  2. Apply to the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan at https://floridacommerce.my.site.com/RebuildFloridaBusinessLoanFund/s/. Loans provide short-term, zero-interest working capital loans to "bridge the gap" between the time the disaster impacts a business and when a business has secured longer term funding.
  3. Apply to SBA Disaster Assistance at https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/hurricane-helene. Physical Disaster Loans for repair/replacement of business property, and Economic Injury Loans for working capital are available.
  4. Other Resources:

Businesses can meet with consultants from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Pinellas County by calling 727-453-7200 or emailing businesshelp@pinellas.gov.

UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is now available!

FloridaCommerce announced that Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Helene and are not eligible for regular state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits. Eligible Floridians whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Helene are encouraged to submit a claim at FloridaJobs.org.

Are you Self-Employed or Work from Home?

FEMA can help replace tools and equipment required for self-employment, or not provided by an employer by required for employment. Eligible items may include:

  • Computers
  • Uniforms
  • Occupational Tools (Essential tools and equipment not provided or supplied by an employer and required by an employer as a condition of employment.)

Visit DisasterAssistance.gov for more information or download the informational flyer.

CLEANUP ASSISTANCE

This information page will be continue to be updated as new information becomes available. For all storm-related information, please visit the Hurricane Helene Information Page and Hurricane Milton Information Page.

Recovery Assistance IconUPDATED DECEMBER 18, 2024

FEMA RENTAL ASSISTANCE

FEMA may provide financial assistance to rent alternate temporary housing if you are displaced from your primary residence due to Hurricanes Helene and/or Milton. FEMA Rental Assistance is intended to cover the monthly rent amount, which may include a security deposit, as a place other than your damaged home. Your rental can be near your job, home, school and place of worship. The assistance may include essential utilities such as gas, oil, trash, sewer, electricity, and water, but not cable or internet.

Download the Informational Flyer for more information.

ELEVATE FLORIDA - RESIDENTIAL MITIGATION PROGRAM

The City of Tarpon Springs has been notified by the Florida Division of Emergency Management that they are launching their first statewide Residential Mitigation program, Elevate Florida. The goal of this program is to enhance community resilience by mitigating private residences through elevation, mitigation reconstruction, and acquisition.

Interested parties are encouraged to reach out directly to the Florida Division of Emergency Management at ResidentialMitigation@em.myflorida.com for more information. The City has not received any additional information on funding opportunities at this time. For additional information on Elevate Florida, please go to Residential Mitigation | Florida Disaster or download the informational flyer.

NOTICE OF VOLUNTARY INTEREST FORM

We know that many of our residents were affected by the past several storms. At this time, we are currently waiting for funding to become available, which could take quite some time, possible 1.5 - 2 years. Although we do not have those dates, we continue attending meetings with the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) and FEMA to learn more about funding opportunities. In the interim, we will keep your name as an interested party.

Please complete the Notice of Voluntary Interest Form and email it back to either pharbert@ctsfl.us or maraya@tsfr.us. We will notify you once funding becomes available.

FEMA 2024 APPLICATION DEADLINES EXTENDED

  • Hurricane Helene - January 7, 2025
  • Hurricane Milton - January 7, 2025

HOMEOWNERS / RENTERS RECOVERY ASSISTANCE

Homeowner Recovery Assistance Available

FEMA Assistance: FEMA is offering a wide variety of help to people affected by the recent hurricanes. Every homeowner and renter who suffered damage is encouraged to apply. All individuals who are impacted by a storm should apply for FEMA assistance. Please call 1-800-621-3362, or visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov to apply. Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance click here.

**If you applied to FEMA after Hurricane Debby and have additional damage from Hurricane Helene, you will need to apply separately for Helene and provide the dates of your most recent damage.

Renter Assistance Available

FEMA Assistance: FEMA Individual Assistance is available to renters, including students, as well as homeowners with uninsured losses. FEMA awards may help pay for temporary housing. Renters may also qualify for an award under FEMA's Other Needs Assistance program for uninsured or underinsured essential personal property losses and other disaster-related expenses. These may include:

  • Replacement or repair of necessary personal property, such as furniture, appliances, clothing, textbooks, or school supplies.
  • Repair or replacement of tools and other job-related equipment required by the self-employed.
  • If your vehicle was damaged by the storms and is no longer operable (and the vehicle complies with state registration and insurance requirements) FEMA may be able to help.
  • Uninsured or out-of-pocket funeral, medical, dental, childcare, assistance for miscellaneous items, moving and storage expenses.

Renters are encouraged to apply by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by visiting www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

SBA Assistance: Whether you rent or own your own home, business, or farm located in a declared disaster area, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the Small Business Administration. Please note that the filing deadline for SBA might be different than the FEMA deadline. Make sure you pay attention to the deadlines.

• Apply by phone to SBA: 1-800-659-2955
• Apply online anytime at https://lending.sba.gov/search-disaster/.
• E-mail: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE TAX RELIEF

The Florida Department of Revenue is is offering tax relief in the wake of Hurricane Helene. More information can be found by clicking here to download the document.

DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER

The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the Florida Botanical Gardens (12520 Ulmerton Rd., Largo) will close Friday, Nov. 1st). The facility will open in a new location on Saturday, November 2nd through November 27th. When visiting a DRC, be sure to bring identification, proof of residence, insurance information, and any documentation related to your disaster-related losses to facilitate the application process and ensure you receive the appropriate assistance.

  • Location: Enoch D. Davis Center, 1111 18th Ave. S., St. Petersburg (starting Nov. 2nd)
  • Hours: Monday - Sunday, 7:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M.

The DRCs serve as centralized locations where people can access various services and information related to disaster recovery including:

  • Information and Guidance
  • Application Assistance
  • Translation and Accessibility Services
  • Status Updates
  • Access to Disaster-Related Resources
  • Access to Computers and Phone (Computers are also available for use at the Tarpon Springs Library [138 E. Lemon Street])

In addition to FEMA, the following agencies will provide assistance at the DRC:

  • Florida Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Florida Department of Commerce
  • Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
  • Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
  • Florida Department of Elder Affairs
  • Florida Department of Insurance Regulation
  • Florida Department of Children and Families with Hope Florida Navigators

More information, click here. Clickable link to FEMA registration site.

HOUSING OPTIONS FOR STORM DISPLACED RESIDENTS

If you have been displaced due to Hurricane Helene, a list of resources to help you search for short-and-long term housing options is available here: https://pinellas.gov/hurricanehousing

FEMA Displacement Assistance may also be available to displaced residents after receiving an inspection. The funds can be used to stay in a hotel, with family and friends or for other options while you look for temporary housing. Click here for more information.

BUSINESS RECOVERY ASSISTANCE

Business Recovery Assistance AvailableInfographic with business recovery resources
Businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene can now access disaster recovery assistance and emergency loan programs. (Download Informational Flyer Here)

  1. Complete the Florida Business Disaster Assessment Survey at https://floridadisaster.biz/Respond/BusinessDamageAssessmentsSurvey.
  2. Apply to the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan at https://floridacommerce.my.site.com/RebuildFloridaBusinessLoanFund/s/. Loans provide short-term, zero-interest working capital loans to "bridge the gap" between the time the disaster impacts a business and when a business has secured longer term funding.
  3. Apply to SBA Disaster Assistance at https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/hurricane-helene. Physical Disaster Loans for repair/replacement of business property, and Economic Injury Loans for working capital are available.
  4. Other Resources:

Businesses can meet with consultants from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Pinellas County by calling 727-453-7200 or emailing businesshelp@pinellas.gov.

UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is now available!

FloridaCommerce announced that Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Helene and are not eligible for regular state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits. Eligible Floridians whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Helene are encouraged to submit a claim at FloridaJobs.org.

Are you Self-Employed or Work from Home?

FEMA can help replace tools and equipment required for self-employment, or not provided by an employer by required for employment. Eligible items may include:

  • Computers
  • Uniforms
  • Occupational Tools (Essential tools and equipment not provided or supplied by an employer and required by an employer as a condition of employment.)

Visit DisasterAssistance.gov for more information or download the informational flyer.

CLEANUP ASSISTANCE

Page last updated: 18 Dec 2024, 05:35 AM