Hurricane Irma Disaster Relief Sarasota
Sarasota, Fla. – Are you looking for Disaster relief from Hurricane Irma? Many residents of Florida are looking for help from FEMA. You have 60 days to seek assistance and you can find out here how to file for relief. They are offering individual assistance to victims of Hurricane Irma in counties covered by the disaster declaration. The zone for individual assistance has expanded and may continue to expand. Individuals seeking assistance from FEMA have 60 days to register dating back to the date of the disaster declaration.
Link to FEMA’s disaster declaration for Florida: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4337
FEMA is still in the early phases of assessing damage, and has not completed the surveys in some counties that serve as a precursor to determining eligibility for individual assistance.

People can register for help through DisasterAssistance.Gov or through the FEMA App. Most if not all power is restored. You can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
People can register for help through DisasterAssistance.Gov or through the FEMA App. A disaster inspector will schedule a visit to properties in areas covered by the declaration. FEMA urges applicants to note whether the home is safe to enter. A disaster inspector will schedule a visit to properties in areas covered by the declaration.
Link to FEMA updates on the declaration and eligibility for assistance: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4337/updates-blog-and-news
More information on FEMA Disaster Assistance from Hurricane Irma
There is assistance available for those who lost food in their refrigerator and freezer. This may be on a case by case basis but you can apply for that assistance. FEMA helps people who do not have insurance, or helps fill gaps for what insurance does not cover. It offers low-interest disaster loans, grants for home repairs, temporary housing support and other assistance (including medical, dental, child care, funeral and burial, essential household items, storage and vehicle assistance) depending on the extent of damage and circumstances. Much of the damage inflicted by Hurricane Irma will be covered by private homeowner’s insurance or flood insurance.
Here is a list of questions and answers provided by FEMA:
Q: What kinds of FEMA grants are available?
A: Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs, uninsured and underinsured personal property losses and medical, dental and funeral expenses caused by the disaster, along with other serious disaster-related expenses.
Q: What happens after I register?
A: You will receive a phone call from a FEMA inspector to arrange for a survey of the damages. This will come just days after you register. All FEMA inspectors will have official identification. They do not approve or deny claims or requests; those come after the inspection results are submitted. FEMA inspectors do not ask for money and do not recommend contractors to make repairs.
Q. I’ve already cleaned up and made repairs to my property. Am I still eligible to register with FEMA?
A. Yes. You may be eligible for reimbursement of your clean-up and repair expenses. Before and after photos of the damaged property can help expedite your application for assistance.
Q: Does my income need to be under a certain dollar amount to qualify for disaster aid?
A: FEMA’s Housing Assistance program is available, regardless of income, to anyone who suffered damages or losses in disaster-declared counties. However, aid for other losses such as personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses is income-dependent and officials make decisions on a case-by-case basis. To be considered for a grant for these types of losses, the applicant must complete an application for an SBA loan.
Q. I have flood insurance. Should I still register with FEMA?
A. Yes. But please contact your insurance company first.
Q: Does the Small Business Administration (SBA) offer loans to homeowners and renters?
A: Yes. The SBA is the primary source of financial assistance following a disaster and provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and renters.
Q: Do I have to be turned down by my bank before I can apply for a disaster loan?
A: No. The SBA has its own criteria for determining each loan applicant’s eligibility.
Q: If I rent an apartment, can I get help to replace my damaged personal property?
A: Yes. Renters may qualify for a FEMA grant. Renters may also qualify for SBA disaster loans.
Q: Will FEMA pay for all home repairs or contract work?
A: No. FEMA does not pay to return your home to its pre-disaster condition. FEMA provides grants to qualified homeowners to repair damage not covered by insurance, but these grants may not pay for all the damage. However, an SBA disaster loan may return a home to its pre-disaster condition.
Q: Do I have to repay money I receive for disaster relief?
A: No. You do not have to repay grant money, however SBA disaster loans must be repaid.
Q: Do I have to be a legal U.S. resident to receive Individual Assistance?
A: No. If you have a child living at home who is a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien, you may apply for Individual Assistance on that child’s behalf and you may be eligible to receive Individual Assistance. FEMA may provide undocumented, eligible immigrants with short-term, non-cash emergency aid.
SCAMMER ALERT
Disaster Relief for Hurricane Irma
Beware of Scammers pretending to represent Fma and preying on victims looking for Disaster Assistance from Hurricane Irma.
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office has a warning to anyone who’s dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.
According to the department’s Facebook page, callers are claiming to be from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and are demanding a deposit for storm damages.
Florida’s CFO Jeff Atwater’s office is also investigating allegations of fraud. Reports suggest people posing as federal officials demanding cash. In some cases they’re asking storm victims to pay $150 to help residents fill out FEMA claims.