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Bureau of Recovery & Mitigation - Recovery Section

Human Services - Individual Assistance Program

After the president signs a disaster declaration, it is important to inform affected individuals and businesses through press releases and outreach efforts that programs are available to them and to assist them in obtaining any entitled aid.

The first step for individuals and businesses needing assistance should be through the toll-free Tele-registration hot line, which is available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency at 1-800-462-9029 (TTY: 1-800-462-7585). Specially trained operators at Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Tele-registration Center will process the application. Once this is accomplished, further assistance may be coordinated through a Disaster Recovery Center, which may be established in each of the declared counties or regionally. Representatives of federal, state, local, and volunteer organizations are made available to help disaster victims who are applying for assistance.

There are a wide range of individual disaster assistance programs including:

• Small Business Administration (SBA)
  Once implemented, the SBA program can offer low interest loans to individuals and businesses for refinancing, repair, rehabilitation, or replacement of damaged property (real and personal). Loans may be available to businesses which have suffered an economic impact as a result of the disaster. A SBA declaration can be made independently or in concert with a Presidential Disaster Declaration. There must be a minimum of twenty-five homes or businesses with 40 percent or more uninsured losses and/or five businesses with substantial economic or physical losses.
  
  
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance
  Individuals unemployed as a result of a major disaster, and not covered by regular state or private unemployment insurance programs, will be eligible for unemployment benefits. The weekly compensation received will not exceed the maximum amount of payment under Florida's Unemployment Compensation Program, and may be provided until an individual is re-employed or up to twenty-six weeks after the major disaster is declared (whichever is shorter).
  
  
• Farm Service Agency (FSA)
  Low interest disaster loans are made available to farmers, ranchers and agricultural operators for physical or production losses. Loans of up to 80 percent of actual production loss or 100 percent of the actual physical loss, with a maximum indebtedness of $500,000, may be made to either the tenant or owner of the agricultural business.
  
  
• Temporary Housing
  In the event of a Presidentially declared disaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency managed Temporary Housing Program may be authorized in order to meet the housing needs of victims. The program has several components including:
  • Mortgage and Rental Assistance Program
    Applicable for individuals or families who have received written notice of eviction or foreclosure due to financial hardship caused by a disaster.
  • Rental Assistance
    Provided to homeowners or renters whose dwelling is determined unlivable as a direct result of a disaster.
  • Minimal Repair Program
    Provides money for owner occupied, primary residences which may have sustained minor damage, and are unlivable as a direct result of a disaster.
  • Mobile Homes or Other Readily Fabricated Dwellings
    When all other avenues are exhausted, Federal Emergency Management Agency may initiate the mobile home program. Such homes are moved to, or near, the disaster site and set up.
    
    
• Other Needs Assistance (ONA) Program
  The ONA Grant Program provides grants to help families meet serious needs and necessary expenses that are not covered by other government assistance programs, insurance, or other conventional forms of assistance. At present, grant amounts can be made up to $13,600 (adjusted annually in accordance with the consumer price index). Financial aid can be provided under the following categories:
  
  • Medical expenses
  • Transportation costs
  • Home repairs
  • Replacement of essential property
  • Protective measures
  • Funeral expenses

  Seventy five percent of the costs are funded by Federal Emergency Management Agency and 25 percent by the state and/or local government.

• Community Relations
  The Federal Emergency Management Agency and state officials will conduct "outreach" activities in an effort to inform disaster victims concerning what programs are available, where the Disaster Recovery Centers are located and hours of operation. This outreach will be accomplished by utilizing all media resources and by assembling and deploying outreach teams to remote areas to inform residents of assistance efforts.
  
  
• Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs)
  The Disaster Recovery Centers are established in close proximity to affected communities. DRCs are operated jointly between the State and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These centers provide disaster assistance information and aids disaster victims through the application process.
  
  
• Unmet Needs Assistance
  This program assists individuals that have been the victim of a disaster through partnerships with the volunteer community. Volunteer organizations include non-profit organizations, faith based groups and the private sector.
  
  
• Florida Department of Insurance
  Assistance and information about resolving insurance claims are provided.
  
  
• Crisis Counseling
  Professional services are provided to help relieve disaster related stress and prevent the development of more serious physical and mental health problems. This service is provided through a number of non-profit and faith based organizations.
  
  
• Cora Brown Fund
  Can provide assistance to victims that are in serious need of assistance. These individuals that are not eligible for assistance from other sources may become eligible for this fund under special circumstances. These awards are based on a review by FEMA.
  
  
• Food Coupons
  Emergency food coupons may be made available to disaster victims. This program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the federal level and the Florida Department of Children and Families at the state level. Length of eligibility for receiving food coupons will be determined by the President.
  
  
• Legal Assistance
  Free Legal advise, couseling and representation to low income individuals is provided in non-fee generating cases is provided by the Young Lawyers Association of America. This service may not be used as a means to sue the government.
  
  
• Income Tax Service
  The Internal Revenue Service helps victims identify ways in which the disaster affects their federal income tax. Casualty loss credits, early tax refunds and information on lost documentation are some services available to disaster victims.