JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After two back-to-back Hurricanes in Florida, FEMA is helping disaster survivors with a variety of assistance programs.
To access the funding you must submit an application and live in a declared disaster area.
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As of Friday morning, only FEMA aid for Hurricane Helene victims was available. People impacted by Hurricane Milton should wait to apply until the official federal disaster declaration is made – which is expected to happen later Friday.
FEMA teams are still helping victims of Hurricane Helene across six states. Now, the agency is simultaneously focused on the immediate response needed for Hurricane Milton in Florida.
Flooding and storm surges from Milton left a path of destruction locally in St. Johns, Flagler, and Putnam Counties.
FEMA can assist if your home or property was damaged, even if you’re renting. They can also help with funding for immediate needs like temporary housing, gas, food, and water.
“To apply, they only need to come to talk to us,” Erendira Strittar said, a FEMA Public Affairs Specialist. “We just need a phone number where we can contact them. We also need the address where the disaster happened, and the address, in case they’re staying in another place, their social security number. And we also asked them to make a list the inventory of the damages they received.”
You can apply for FEMA assistance in four ways:
- Visit disasterassistance.gov
- Call 1-800-621-3362
- Use the FEMA App
- Check local Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs)
Two disaster recovery centers are open locally in Glen Saint Mary’s and Lake City. FEMA expects to open more centers locally next week, in the counties most impacted by Hurricane Milton.
FEMA officials are stressing that there is enough money right now for immediate response and recovery needs.
“We have heard a lot of rumors at this moment about FEMA. Sadly, that’s why the best way to get the correct information is calling 1-800-621-3362, FEMA, or just going online where you can talk to someone and read the correct information,” Strittar said.
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If you were affected by Milton or Helene, you’re encouraged to apply for disaster assistance.
You can get help with temporary housing, money to repair damages not covered by homeowners’ insurance, and money for immediate needs that does not have to be paid back.