Florida Disaster Recovery Resources

DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to Florida businesses and residents in FEMA disaster-declared counties whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Ian and are not eligible for regular state or Federal Reemployment Assistance benefits. To file a claim, visit www.Floridajobs.org or call 1-800-385- 3920. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30a.m. to 6:30p.m. to assist claimants. For DUA claims information, call 1-833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759) to speak with a representative.  DUA is available for weeks of unemployment beginning September 25 until April 1, 2023, as long as the individual’s unemployment continues to be a direct result of the disaster.  The deadline to submit a claim for DUA benefits is December 30.
 

FLORIDA DISASTER RECOVERY (STATE RESOURCES)

For a listing of state recovery resources, links and information, visit www.floridadisaster.biz

Florida Business Damage Assessment Survey: Businesses that are damaged after a state-designated emergency can fill our the Damage Assessment Survey to provide information about the damage and connect with available resources. The information provided in this survey will be shared among various state and local agencies to expedite implementation of appropriate disaster relief programs for businesses.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Recovery Guide: A collection of resources designed to reopen your business and assist with long-term recovery, including immediate needs, financial assistance, IT disaster recovery, mental health, and community recovery.

IEDC Restore Your Economy: Restore Your Economy is your resource for up-to-date information related to economic recovery from natural disasters and COVID-19. It is managed by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) with generous support from the U.S. Economic Development Administration and IEDC's Economic Development Research Partners program. Rebuild Florida Office of Long-Term Resiliency: Rebuild Florida was created by DEO to help Florida’s long-term recovery efforts from recent hurricanes. DEO oversees Community Development Block Grant- Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding for hurricanes Hermine, Matthew, Irma, and Michael as well as CDBG-Mitigation funding. The state of Florida is committed to helping homeowners, small businesses and communities recover from recent storms and become more resilient to future disasters.

Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund: The Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund, a resiliency loan fund provided through a partnership with the U.S. Economic Development Administration, is assisting businesses that experienced physical damage or economic injury from Hurricane Irma. It provides longer-term loans with higher funding levels at market interest rates. Up to $500,000 in financing can be provided to an eligible business for the following purposes: inventory purchases, construction or renovation, working capital needs, capital start-up loans, machinery and equipment purchases, equipment financing, and more.
 

STATE AND FEDERAL TAX INQUIRIES

IRS Excise Tax – Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief, the IRS may waive tax penalties on disasters on a case-by-case bases. A special tax law provision may help taxpayers and businesses recover financially from the impact of a disaster. Visit www.irs.gov/businesses or for more information call 1-800-829-1040.

Florida Department of Revenue – The Florida Department of Revenue will waive penalties and interest during the period of emergency for impacted taxpayers who are unable to file returns and/or make payment of taxes on time. For assistance call (800) 352-3671 of visit https://ritx-fl-sales.bswa.net

FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS EMERGENCY BRIDGE LOAN

The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a disaster impacts a business and when a business has secured longer term recovery funding such as federally or commercially available loans, insurance claims or other resources. Florida requires loans under this program to be repaid by the approved applicant. Owners may utilize funding from longer term financial resources, such as U.S. Small Business Administration economic injury disaster loans, to repay the Emergency Bridge Loan. For program details and required documents visit www.floridajobs.org/EBL

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced work search reporting, waiting week and Employ Florida registration requirements for Reemployment Assistance claims have been temporarily waived for Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian in FEMA disaster-declared counties. By waiving these requirements, eligible Floridians will be able to quickly apply and receive reemployment assistance and disaster unemployment assistance benefits. Additionally, Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to state businesses and residents in FEMA disaster-declared counties whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Ian and are not eligible for regular state or Federal Reemployment Assistance benefits. To file a claim call 1-800-385-3920 or visit: http://floridajobs.org/Reemployment-Assistance-Service-Center/reemployment- assistance/claimants/disaster-unemployment-assistance

SPECIAL NEEDS REGISTRY

The Florida Department of Health, in coordination with its county health departments and each local emergency management agency in the state, developed a registry for persons with special needs to register with their local emergency management agency to receive assistance during a disaster. The statewide registry provides first responders with valuable information to prepare for disasters or other emergencies. https://www.floridadisaster.org/snr/
 

RENTAL HOUSING OPTIONS

HurricaneHomes.org is a team effort to help those affected by natural disasters. The site was created by real estate industry veterans to help those in their time of need find housing options in one centralized location. The site works together with local Realtor® Associations and MLSs to identify housing inventory that is immediately available to those displaced from their homes. All revenue from the site is donated to 501c3 organizations that get every dollar into the hands of those in need. For example the Florida Disaster Fund and the Florida Realtor® Relief Fund. For more information, please visit the following website for more information www.hurricanehomes.org
 

CRISIS CLEANUP HOTLINE

A Home Cleanup Hotline was opened to support survivors of Hurricane Ian. With the collaboration of over 1,800 volunteer organizations, the Crisis Cleanup Hotline helps homes and businesses get on the path to recovery. Households in need of damage assistance can call: 1-800-451-1954, the hotline will remain open through Friday, October 28, 2022. https://www.floridadisaster.org/info/ Crisis Cleanup may be able to help with: Fallen trees, Drywall, flooring, and appliance removal to curb, Tarping Roofs, Debris removal to curb.