Federal Assistance
State Assistance

Federal Assistance

1. Operation Blue Roof (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) - If the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) identifies your county as part of a Federally designated disaster area, Operation Blue Roof may provide the tarps and the labor necessary to install them free of charge. Call 888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258) or visit a Corp-operated neighborhood response center and sign the required "Right of Entry" document. This document is required to enter your property and assess any damage and complete any approved repairs. The Corps of Engineers will focus on the most heavily damaged areas first.  At no time will you be asked for money or any payment. This service is provided free of charge.

2. Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) Programs - If FEMA identifies your county as part of a Federally designated disaster area, you may be eligible for various grants, loans, and other assistance.

   Typically, damage to secondary homes or vacation homes is not eligible under FEMA’s disaster assistance program. However, FEMA will review your other than housing losses on a case-by-case basis to determine eligibility.

   Also, FEMA will not pay to repair damage already covered by an insurance policy nor will FEMA pay your deductible. If you have homeowner's policy, flood  policy, automobile policy, etc. in force on your property, look to your insurance company for primary assistance. FEMA programs typically defray only uninsured losses you suffer. Also, if your insurance settle is insufficient to cover necessary expenses or serious needs, FEMA may offer assistance.

   1. Call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362 or hearing/speech impaired ONLY call 1-800-462-7585) or visit a neighborhood FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) and fill out FEMA Form 90-69 to register for assistance. To avoid long delays, or even "hang-ups", it is best to call early in the morning (3-4 A.M.). You may register online via FEMA's website.

   2. Register with FEMA as soon as possible after the disaster. It isn't necessary to have settled with your insurance company before registering with FEMA, but if you have not already contacted your insurance agent to file a claim, please do this as soon as possible. Failure to file a claim with your insurance company may affect your eligibility for assistance from FEMA.

   3. Register for each disaster in which you sustain damage. For example, in 2004 an individual who suffered damage from Hurricane Charley and Hurricane Frances would register twice.

   4. If you decide to clean-up or make repairs on your property, take a video or make photographs of all damage before you begin. An inexpensive disposable camera is perfect for this. Also, remember to keep all receipts for any repairs you pay for or any material you purchase.

   5. Within about 10 days, FEMA will send an inspector to visit your property and inspect your damage. If you suffer damage from multiple storms, more than one inspection may be necessary. Your losses will be recorded and submitted to the Individuals and Households Program (IHP). Within about ten more days, you should have a decision about whether you qualify for help from IHP. If your primary residence is damaged and uninhabitable, FEMA may provide temporary living accommodations.

   6. If you are referred for a disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), contact the SBA (see below) and schedule an appointment to review your disaster-related losses.

   7. FEMA provides limited reimbursement for living expenses incurred during evacuations. To be eligible for reimbursement of living expenses incurred during evacuations, the home from where you are displaced must be your primary residence. In addition, the home must be either damaged by the disaster or you are prohibited from returning to the home once the general evacuation order is lifted because of the disaster. You should register and submit your receipts to see if the cost is covered. FEMA reviews these request on a case-by-case basis.

   8. FEMA may pay for a generator and the gasoline to operate it. FEMA reviews requests for reimbursement on a case-by-case basis and determines if the generator was purchased to overcome a disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse condition. You should register and submit your receipts to see if the cost is covered. Remember to keep your receipts for any gasoline you purchase to operate the generator.

   9. FEMA may pay for repairs to your automobile if it was damaged during the storm. Keep your receipts and submit them along with proof of ownership and proof of insurance for review.

   10. FEMA may pay your expenses associated with moving and storage if those expenses are directly related to the the storm. Keep your receipts and submit them for review.

3. Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans - If FEMA identifies your county as part of a Federally designated disaster area, you may be eligible for an SBA loan. Despite its name, the SBA makes loans to individuals as well as small businesses.

   Anyone who lives in a declared disaster area can apply for the loans, which currently have interest rates below 4 percent, but vary depending on your ability to obtain funds elsewhere. If you can obtain credit elsewhere, the rate is based on the cost of money to the U.S. Government, but will not be more than 8 percent. If you cannot get the money elsewhere, the rate is cut in half, and will not be more than 4 percent per year. The maximum loan term for homeowners and renters is for 30 years, but varies depending on your ability to repay.

   The SBA will not loan money to cover losses already covered by an insurance policy. If you have homeowner's policy, flood  policy, automobile policy, etc. in force on your property, look to your insurance company for primary assistance. SBA loans are used to defray only uninsured losses you suffer. If your insurance settlement is insufficient to cover necessary expenses or serious needs, an SBA loan may be of interest. So, for example, if your damages will cost $100,000 to repair and your insurance will pay for $80,000, then the SBA loan would only cover the additional $20,000. Loans in excess of $10,000 must be secured, often via a first or second mortgage on the damaged home.

   If you're having a problem agreeing with your insurance company on a settlement, you can apply for an SBA home and property loan for the entire amount of your damages. Should you come to an agreement with your insurance company at a later time, the settlement from the insurance company could then be applied to the SBA loan.
   
   The maximum amount that homeowners can borrow is $200,000 to make repairs on primary residences only. Vacation properties are not eligible. However, homeowners can apply for as much as $40,000 more to cover the repair or replacement of items inside of the home such as furniture, appliances, clothing and cars - anything not fully covered by insurance that was destroyed or damaged by the storm. Renters are eligible to receive loans of up to $40,000 to cover items damaged and destroyed in the home.

   When dealing with the SBA, FEMA serves as the first point of contact for all homeowner/renter applicants. Typically, after a FEMA inspector visits you'll be given the opportunity to fill out an SBA loan application packet. Small business owners may apply for loan assistance directly from the SBA.

   1. If you are a homeowner or renter, first register with FEMA (see above) for assistance. If you are a small business owner you do not have to register with FEMA.

   2. If you decide to clean-up or make repairs on your property, take a video or make photographs of all damage before you begin. An inexpensive disposable camera is perfect for this. Also, remember to keep all receipts for any repairs you pay for or any material you purchase.

   3. Fill out the SBA loan application packet. You can find forms and instructions on the SBA's website. Return the packet to the SBA regional office. For Florida the address is:
      
      U.S. Small Business Administration
      Disaster Area 2 Office
      One Baltimore Place, Suite 300
      Atlanta, GA 30308
      1-800-359-2227

   4. An SBA representative will contact you to inspect your damage and approve your application.

   5. If your application is approved, the SBA will need 10-20 days to process your application. You should know whether your request will be funded during this period.

State Assistance

The State of Florida offers storm planning, survival, and recovery resources in many forms and through many sources. Below are some of the organizations that offer assistance to Floridians after a hurricane.

1. The Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) is the state governing agency that oversees insurance companies operating in the state of Florida. If you have complaints or difficulties dealing with your insurance company, the DFS may be able to help. Contact DFS via telephone at 1-800-22-STORM (1-800-227-8676) or via the DFS website.