Hurricane Assistance
For those of you who may need assistance or help of any kind after the hurricane here are resource: FEMA Public Assistance Program The FEMA Public Assistance Program is now accepting Requests for Public Assistance via the FEMA Grants Portal for eligible governments and certain private nonprofits. Applications must be submitted no later than Oct. 29, 2022 for potential eligible applicants within Sarasota County. The FEMA Public Assistance Program provides reimbursement funding for debris removal and emergency protective measures for all qualifying applicants. Governments and certain critical service private nonprofits and noncritical private nonprofits performing essential social services, repairs and replacement for buildings, equipment, and other permanent-related work efforts may also be eligible. Funding for eligible debris removal and emergency protective measures are reimbursed at 100% federal cost share for 60 days for activities performed from Sept. 23, 2022 to Nov. 23, 2022. Qualifying essential service private nonprofits may have a 25 percent cost share for permanent work-related efforts. Interested eligible applicants are encouraged to submit their application materials preceding the deadline, while concurrently working through any insurance coverages and Small Business Assistance loans for covered disaster costs. For more information, visit floridapa.org or call 850-815-4002.
Operation Blue Roof on sitat Disaster Recovery Center The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Operation Blue Roof team has joined the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to provide community members with the option to sign up for the program in person. The center is located at Shannon Staub Library, 4675 Career Lane in North Port, and is open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. DRCs provide information from Florida state agencies, FEMA, U.S. Small Business Administration, and other available resources for individuals, families and business owners. It is not necessary to visit a center to apply for assistance, visit disasterassistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call 800-621-3362.
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program There is $50 million available through the Emergency Bridge Loan program for businesses impacted by Hurricane Ian. $10 million is dedicated to small businesses that are agricultural producers. Small businesses in the most impacted counties — Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee, and Sarasota — will be escalated and prioritized as they are received. The program, administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), provides short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to Hurricane Ian. Interested applicants can apply now through Dec. 2, 2022, or until all available funds are expended. Loans approved through the Emergency Bridge Loan Program are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a disaster impacts a business and when a business has secured longer-term recovery funding such as federally or commercially available loans, insurance claims, or other resources. Eligible small businesses may apply for loans of up to $50,000 through the program. Loans made under this program are short-term, zero-interest, personal loans using State of Florida funds. They are not grants and loans must be repaid by the approved applicant. DEO administers the Emergency Bridge Loan Program alongside its fiscal administrator, Florida First Capital Finance Corporation. Visit www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL to learn more about the program, as well as to view the lending guidelines and required documentation and to complete an application by the Dec. 2, 2022, deadline. Business owners who need further program information may call 833-832-4494 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Crisis Cleanup Hot line 1-800-451-1954 Free assistance is available for cutting fallen trees, tarping roofs, mold mitigation, drywall, flooring and appliance removal. Visit crisiscleanup.org or call 1-800-451-1954.
Fraud Alert Disaster survivors should be aware that con artists and criminals may try to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud or identity theft after disaster.
FEMA personnel carry photo IDs and never ask for money for services.
In some cases, thieves try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses and Social Security numbers they have stolen from survivors.
If a FEMA Inspector comes to your home and you did not submit a FEMA application, please inform the inspector that you did not apply for FEMA assistance so they can submit a request to stop further processing of the application.