Disaster assistance is available throughout Pinellas County. Please refer to the web links and phone numbers for more information on each.
Individuals
FEMA Assistance Individuals are encouraged to register online for assistance from FEMA at www.DisasterAssistance.gov
or through the FEMA app to avoid long wait times on the phone. If you call, it is recommended you call early or late to avoid waiting. The phone number for register for assistance is 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)while those who use TTY can call 1-800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EDT seven days a week. You may be referred to the Small Business Administration to review your disaster-related losses.
FEMA Critical Needs Assistance provides financial assistance to individuals and households who have immediate or critical needs because they are displaced from their home. This includes water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, diapers, consumable medical supplies, durable medical equipment, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation. To register for FEMA assistance programs, go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or use the FEMA App. If you do not have access to a computer or mobile device, call (800) 621-FEMA (3362)TTY 1-800-462-7585 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.seven days a week until further notice.
FEMA Generator Reimbursement for possible financial assistance to repair or replace a generator that was owned prior to the disaster. To register for FEMA assistance programs, go to http://www.DisasterAssistance.
A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is open in Hillsborough County to help Florida storm survivors. The DRC will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice at
Hillsborough Community College – The Regent, 6437 Watson Road, Riverview, FL 33578. Regular hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. As more centers open, survivors may locate one near them at
https://www.fema.gov/
Disaster Distress Helpline The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990) remains open 24/7 for free help coping with the stress of the storm. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after a disaster.
Disaster Assistance Legal Clinics offered by Gulfcoast Legal Services Tuesday, Sept. 19, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at High Point Neighborhood Family Center, 5812 150th Ave. N., Clearwater; and Thursday, Sept. 21, 9 – 11 a.m. at the Sunshine Center, 330 Fifth St. N., St. Petersburg. Se Habla Español. Services include FEMA assistance, landlord/tenant issues, public benefits, consumer protection/scams and domestic violence. For more information or to register, call (727) 821-0726.
Food
Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) is managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and gives food assistance to low-income households with food loss or damage caused by a natural disaster. Current SNAP cards will be loaded with additional disaster benefits. Click here for more information.
Food Packages are being made available through the Disaster Household distribution (DHD) program administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) in collaboration with Feeding Florida and Farm Share and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Packages with 10 to 20 food items can be taken home and prepared as needed. This is a short-term measure to address the need for food until the SNAP becomes available. For information on distribution locations and hours, text IRMA to 893-211. Distribution locations and hours will vary. For more information, click here.
Feeding Tampa Bay, part of the national Feeding America network, has made immediate assistance available. In Pinellas County: Distribution sites on Thursday, Sept. 21, at Daystar Life Center, 226 Sixth St. S., St. Petersburg 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Heritage, 10200 122nd Ave., Largo 10-11:30 a.m.; Beacon Street Ministries, 3470 Adrian Ave., Largo 5-6 p.m. Distribution sites on Friday, Sept. 22. Friday, Sept. 2s, at Daystar Life Center, 226 Sixth St. S., St. Petersburg 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; St. Timothy’s, 812 E. Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs 10 a.m.-noon. Distribution sites on Saturday, Sept. 23: St. Jerome, 10895 Hamlin Blvd., Largo, 9:30-11 a.m. For a full listing of sites in the Tampa Bay region, go to http://feedingtampabay.org/
Housing
Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) is a FEMA form of assistance for eligible disaster survivors that are unable to return to their homes for an extended period of time and who have a continuing need for shelter. This initiative is intended to provide short-term lodging for eligible disaster survivors whose residence is uninhabitable or inaccessible due to a declared disaster. TSA covers room and taxes. To register for FEMA assistance programs, go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or use the FEMA App. If you do not have access to a computer or mobile device, call (800) 621-FEMA (3362)TTY 1-800-462-7585 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.seven days a week until further notice.
Blue Roof Program is aFEMA program managed bythe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the programprovides homeowners in disaster areas with blue tarps, installed to provide temporary repairs and make the home livable until permanent repairs can be made. Homeowners need to go in person to the Right of Entry center at Indian Rocks Baptist Church, 12629 Ulmerton Road, Largo, Suite A. It will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week while demand lasts. Residents are encouraged to visit the center as soon as possible, as it will be closed when demand becomes low. Toll free 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258) for a recorded message. To hear the information in Spanish call (800) 403-0573.
FEMA Individuals and Households Program Provides financial and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster who have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs.To register for FEMA assistance programs, go to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or use the FEMA App. If you do not have access to a computer or mobile device, call (800) 621-FEMA (3362)TTY 1-800-462-7585 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.seven days a week until further notice.
Immediate Foreclosure Relief from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures and forbearance on foreclosures of Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured home mortgages. HUD is also offering longer-term recovery assistance to survivors and impacted communities. For more information, visit HUD’s website.
Florida Housing Portal offers an extensive listing of available rental housing across Florida. You can search at http://www.
Businesses, Individuals and Non-Profits
Business Recovery Center The Pinellas County Economic Development department has partnered with the Small Business Administration to open a Business Recovery Center at its location (13805 58th St. N. #1, Largo). Business owners who experienced storm damage to their business can stop by for loan assistance information. Interested applicants may also call (727) 453-7200 for more information. The Business Recovery Center will be open this week from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Extended IRS Deadlines Hurricane Irma victims in Florida have until Jan. 31, 2018, to file certain individual and business tax returns and make certain tax payments. The tax relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred starting on Sept. 4, 2017 in Florida. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/
Businesses
Short-Term Florida Disaster Business Bridge Loan provides short-term funding until an SBA Loan or insurance reimbursement arrives. The purpose of the Emergency Bridge Loan Program is to provide a source of expedient cash flow to Florida small businesses impacted by a disaster. Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program: http://www.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance Program Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Program offers assistance to businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to Irma.Formore information or to file for DUA http://www.floridajobs.org/ or call 1-800-385-3920