Learn More About the FEMA Resources Available to You - Republican Men's Club of Collier County

Sen. Rick Scott & His Team Share Information on FEMA Resources Following Hurricane Idalia

Dear Fellow Floridian,

As Florida begins our recovery from Hurricane Idalia, my team and I are committed to making sure Floridians have access to the tools and federal resources necessary to rebuild.

Our nine offices around the state are here to help Floridians every step of the way as we work to recover from Idalia. If you or someone you know needs help with a federal issue or agency, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

My team has been hosting Mobile Office Hours throughout the community, and will continue to do so, to help Floridians with federal resources. To learn more about the assistance resources FEMA is offering to communities, how to apply and how to appeal a decision please see below.

To see more about the resources available to you and your family click HERE.

Sincerely,

Rick Scott

FEMA

Federal agencies are working hard to address the needs of residents affected by the hurricane. More information is available on the Idalia webpage at USA.gov.

In addition to federal efforts, affected states have been sharing local information and resources to help residents stay safe and find immediate assistance.

Major Disaster Declaration

Individual Assistance (IA): Assistance to individuals and households

IA-Designated Counties: Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee and Taylor Counties.

Public Assistance (PA): Assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities

PA-Designated Counties: Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Pasco, Pinellas, Suwannee and Taylor Counties for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct federal assistance. For a period of 30 days of the state’s choosing within the first 120 days from the start of the incident period, FEMA is authorized to provide federal funding for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct federal assistance, at 100 percent of the total eligible costs. Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Union, Volusia, and Wakulla Counties for emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program. Citrus, Dixie, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor Counties for permanent work [Categories C-G](already designated for assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures [Categories A and B], including direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program). Franklin, Gadsden, Leon, and Wakulla Counties for debris removal [Category A] and permanent work [Categories C-G](already designated for emergency protective measures [Category B], including direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program).

Hazard Mitigation (HM): Assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards

HM-Designated Areas: All areas in the State of Florida are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

OTHER: Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the State and warranted by the results of further assessments.

Individuals in Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee and Taylor Counties can apply with FEMA the following ways:

Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
Constituents may call the application phone number at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585).

The deadline to apply with FEMA is Oct. 30, 2023.

For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance – YouTube.

For the latest information on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Idalia, visit floridadisaster.org/updates/and fema.gov/disaster/4734.

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Flood Insurance Claims

Florida homeowners with insurance policies covered by the National Flood Insurance Program
are urged to file claims as soon as possible. Advance payments may be available for some policyholders.

Policy holders should call their insurance agent or provider and initiate the claim even if they do not have all necessary documentation because they had to leave the property after the storm.

Homeowners with damage from both wind and flood will need to file two separate claims: a homeowner’s insurance claim and a flood insurance claim. They should let adjusters for each policy know of the claim filed with the other policy.

If filing a flood claim, ask about advance payments. You may be eligible for an advance payment of up to $5,000 prior to a visit from an adjuster. Your insurer will need to confirm covered flood damage to your property and may request additional documentation to support the amount of the advance.

Policy holders may also be eligible for an advance payment of up to $20,000 if they have photos and/or videos depicting damage and receipts validating out-of-pocket expenses related to the flood loss, or a contractor’s itemized estimate.

If the flood insurance policy recently expired, ask your agent if you are still within a renewal grace period. You may be able to pay in full to renew and be covered for a loss during that time.

The Standard Flood Insurance Policy does not cover expenses for code compliance unless the loss qualifies for Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage. Speak to your adjuster or insurer for more information.

The NFIP has additional information on floodsmart.gov/how-do-i-start-my-flood-claim for documenting your damage, re-entering safely, and rebuilding stronger, and where to go if you need additional assistance.