FEMA Update 11/14

Disaster assistance grants are not subject to income tax, self-employment tax, or employment taxes such as Social Security, Medicare and federal unemployment taxes. The grant will not impact survivor’s receipt of Medicare, Social Security or other income-dependent programs. However, disaster unemployment payments are considered income under tax rules.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has extended the application deadline for Disaster Unemployment Assistance to Friday, Dec. 7. DUA is available to Florida residents and businesses in Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, Taylor, Wakulla and Washington counties. DUA is available for unemployment beginning October 14, 2018 until April 13, 2019, as long as the individual’s unemployment continues to be a result of the disaster. Find more information about application criteria at  www.floridajobs.org.

Stay in Touch with FEMA

• Contact FEMA if you have any updates or changes to your application for disaster assistance, including access to your primary home, utility service, and current location.
• Visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA Helpline 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) to update your application.

Don’t wait to clean up and make repairs to your flood-damaged home

• Take photos or videos of all damage before you start cleaning or repairing your property and save your receipts for any clean up or repairs. An inspector will contact you to arrange an inspection. Inspections are free.

Temporary Housing

• The state-led Florida Housing Task Force surveyed available rental resources in the hurricane-impacted counties and found rental housing resources were insufficient to meet the high demand for housing in Bay, Calhoun, Gadsden, Gulf and Jackson counties.

On Oct. 28, FEMA authorized the Direct Temporary Housing Assistance Program for these counties.

• Direct Temporary Housing Assistance is available to eligible applicants whose primary residence is uninhabitable if FEMA determines that eligible applicants cannot use financial Rental Assistance due to a lack of available housing resources in the area.
• When registering for disaster assistance, survivors provide information about damage to their dwelling. The FEMA inspection determines if the home is safe, habitable and functional.
• Additional phone interviews are being conducted to determine applicants who are identified and qualified for direct housing assistance.
• Direct housing assistance is only available in areas where rental resources and housing options are scarce

Disaster Fraud Hotline

• If you have been defrauded or suspect fraud, waste, abuse or mismanagement of disaster relief operations, call the Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 (TTY 1-844-889-4357).

Your call is anonymous and confidential

FEMA Rumor Page

• https://www.fema.gov/hurricane-michael-rumor-control

 FEMA Individuals and Assistance Programs

Eligible Counties

• Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, Taylor, Wakulla and Washington

Individuals & Households

• More than 95,504 families and individuals have contacted FEMA for help and information.

• More than $103.3 million in FEMA grants approved, including more than $85 million in housing assistance, and nearly $18.3 million of Other Needs Assistance.
• 61,345 Housing inspections have been completed

Rental Assistance

• 17,435  homeowners and renters approved for rental assistance.
• FEMA is working closely with the state to provide other forms of temporary housing.

Transitional Sheltering Assistance

• TSA is approved for Bay, Gulf and Jackson counties
• Find a list of TSA-approved hotels on DisasterAssistance.gov or contacting the FEMA Helpline 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). or visit a Disaster Recovery Center. Contact the hotel directly to secure a room.
• 939 survivor households currently checked into hotels 
  635 households have checked out
• As of November 8^th TSA expenditures are $1.9 million

National Flood Insurance Program

• More than 3,980 claims received; paid more than $55.1 million: More than 2,070 claims closed.

Federal Partners

Small Business Administration (SBA)

• SBA has approved $190.9 million in disaster loans
• To apply for an SBA loan call:  800-659-2955   or online at:  disasterassistance.gov

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

• The deadline to register for the Blue Roof Program is Nov. 16th.
• More than 5,000 Blue Roofs have been installed.
• Applicants can submit ROE forms through one of two methods:
  • Online at www.usace.army.mil/blueroof.
  • At a Blue Roof ROE collection center; a list of open centers can be obtained by calling 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258)

FEMA/STATE Disaster Recovery Centers

• To find a DRC near you visit: FEMA.gov/DRC.

Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers

• Two Mobile Recovery Centers are open today.

Mobile Registration Intake Centers

• There are three Mobile Registration Intake Centers.

• For locations, visit www.floridadisaster.org/info/#mrics.