Osceola County still offering help — see story to find out how to access it
The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) is reminding Hurricane Ian survivors that the deadline to apply for FEMA Assistance is today, Jan. 12.
Additionally, Osceola County is still offering disaster assistance to residents who were impacted by Ian. That assistance is available for payment of insurance deductibles and emergency repairs. Temporary housing/utility assistance is also available. Income restrictions apply. Go to housing.osceola.org for more information.
“Every eligible Floridian that was impacted by Hurricane Ian should apply for assistance,” said FDEM Director Kevin Guthrie. “There are many programs that survivors may be eligible for but aren’t aware of because they either haven’t applied or their applications are incomplete. Now is the time to get all the necessary documents together and apply for assistance.”
Homeowners and renters in Osceola and 26 other counties are eligible to apply for assistance by the deadline next week if they suffered loss and damage from Hurricane Ian.
If eligible, disaster assistance may include: Financial assistance for temporary housing for survivors who are unable to live in their primary homes, such as rental assistance or reimbursement for hotel costs; Funds to homeowners to help repair or replace disaster-caused damage or loss to their primary residence, including privatelyowned access routes, such as driveways, roads or bridges; and Funds for disastercaused expenses and serious needs, such as repair or replacement of personal property and vehicles, funds for moving and storage, medical, dental, childcare and other pre-approved miscellaneous items.
Hurricane Ian survivors can apply for FEMA assistance and continuously update their applications by visiting DisasterAssistance. gov, calling (800) 621-3362, using the FEMA app or visiting one of more than 20 open Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs).
Survivors in need of temporary housing solutions and temporary or permanent repairs to their homes may also apply for the State of Florida’s Temporary Housing and Sheltering Program by visiting the Unite Florida Hurricane Ian Recovery Portal at IanRecovery.fl.gov/ Unite or calling (800) 8920948. Applicants for the state’s temporary sheltering initiatives must first apply for FEMA Assistance to avoid a duplication of benefits by the state.
