If your home or belongings were damaged by a declared disaster, FEMA may be able to help with temporary housing, basic home repairs, and other essential disaster-related needs that insurance does not cover.
Individual Assistance has been approved for eligible residents affected by Hurricane Isaias in these eight counties:
Bay • Escambia • Gulf • Holmes • Okaloosa • Santa Rosa • Walton • Washington
Approval depends on your individual circumstances and FEMA’s eligibility requirements.
Apply directly through FEMA using any of these options:
Online: DisasterAssistance.gov
Phone: 800-621-3362
Mobile: Use the FEMA app
Button: Apply for FEMA Assistance
Gather as much of the following information as possible:
Address of the damaged home and your current contact information.
Social Security number.
Names of people living in your household.
Description of the damage and disaster-related needs.
Insurance information, if applicable.
Bank information if you want direct deposit.
If you have insurance, file a claim with your insurer as soon as possible. FEMA cannot pay for losses already covered by insurance.
When applying online, follow the prompts to check whether you can apply and create or sign in to your Login.gov account. Keep your FEMA application number and check regularly for updates, document requests, or inspection information.
Eligibility depends on the declared disaster, your location, and your individual circumstances. Application deadlines vary by disaster.
Hurricane Help Florida shares recovery resources to help residents find support. Applications and eligibility decisions are handled directly by FEMA.
Many homeowners are still recovering from the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. While Hurricane Help Florida’s Hope Rising Program can only assist a limited number of families through grant funding, there are additional local, state, and federal programs that may be able to help.
We encourage all homeowners to apply for every program they may qualify for, as funding is often limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Connecting homeowners with trusted recovery programs, funding opportunities, and rebuilding resources.
🏠 Pinellas 🏠 Hillsborough 🏠 Pasco 🏠 Sarasota Counties
Pinellas County
Home Repair Loan Program
Pinellas County Home Repair Loan Program
Hillsborough County
Rebuilding for Tomorrow Program
Hillsborough County Rebuilding for Tomorrow
Pasco County
Better Future Program
Pasco County Better Future Program
Sarasota County
Resilient SRQ Housing Recovery Program
Sarasota County Housing Recovery Program
We’re proud to recognize Dicus Burke & Lewis, PLLC, as our November Partner of the Month! Based in St. Petersburg and serving clients throughout Florida, their experienced attorneys represent clients in property insurance claims involving pipe leaks, water damage, wind, hail, hurricanes, and sinkholes, as well as personal injury and criminal defense matters.
For families recovering from a hurricane, understanding insurance coverage and navigating a claim can add stress to an already difficult situation. Access to knowledgeable legal professionals can help homeowners understand their rights and options as they work toward recovery.
Community partners make Hurricane Help Florida’s work possible. We’re grateful to Dicus Burke & Lewis for supporting our mission to help Florida families prepare, recover, and rebuild. Thank you for standing with HHF and the communities we serve!
We welcome companies that want to make a meaningful difference for hurricane-affected families across Florida.
To explore partnership opportunities, email us at info@hurricanehelpflorida.org.
The Hope Rising Program has received an overwhelming number of applications from homeowners impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
At this time, all new applications are being placed on a waitlist while our team reviews existing requests and available funding.
Submitting an application does not guarantee assistance, but it allows our team to evaluate your situation and connect you with other recovery resources that may be available in your area.
The Hope Rising Recovery Program by Hurricane Help Florida provides critical assistance to homeowners in the Greater Tampa Bay area whose primary residences were damaged by Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton.
The program is designed to help make homes safe and livable again, not to fully rebuild entire homes. Assistance is provided on a case-by-case basis and focuses on urgent, storm-related needs that impact health, safety, and habitability.
Eligible assistance may include roofing repairs, electrical or plumbing work, flooring and drywall repairs, mold remediation when necessary, and limited furniture or household essentials required for safe occupancy.
All work is completed by licensed, insured, and background-checked contractors through our partner platform, MyPro Market. Homeowners will be able to track their repair projects from start to finish within the system, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the process.
Funding is limited, and completing an application does not guarantee assistance. All households must meet eligibility, income, and documentation requirements.
The program will run though October 2026.
REBUILDING HOMES. RESTORING LIVES.
Bringing hope, resources, and recovery support to Florida communities.
We’re grateful to Country Thunder Florida for providing more than $30,000 in in-kind support to Hurricane Help Florida during the 2026 festival in Clearwater.
Through booth space, promotional opportunities, social media exposure, and on-site visibility, Country Thunder helped us share our mission, StormResQ, and Hope Rising with thousands of attendees. Their support, along with recognition from PEOPLE Magazine, helped bring greater awareness to disaster preparedness, recovery, and rebuilding efforts across Florida.
Together, we’re helping Florida families recover, rebuild, and rise stronger.
Hurricane Help Florida provides free resources, guidance, and recovery support to help Florida residents and communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from hurricanes and other disasters. From preparedness education and contractor verification to recovery navigation, rebuilding assistance, and essential donations of materials, furniture, and appliances, we support families every step of the way, prioritizing those with limited resources and unmet needs.
Our companion app, StormResQ, connects residents requesting non-emergency storm assistance with verified nonprofit responder organizations. It complements emergency services and is not a substitute for 911.
Together with our volunteers and community partners, we help Floridians stay informed, rebuild safe and habitable homes, and strengthen their resilience for the future.
Help Rebuild in Greater Tampa Bay!
Join Hurricane Help Florida’s Hope Rising Program and be part of rebuilding safe, livable homes for families impacted by recent storms. From skilled trades to general support, your time and expertise directly help restore stability, dignity, and hope for those who need it most.
Whether you’re experienced in construction or simply ready to lend a hand, there’s a place for you on our team.
Register as a volunteer via the link below.
To verify adjusters, agents, public adjusters, and insurance-related companies:
Check to see if someone is active, inactive, or properly appointed.
Visit the Licensee Search page.
The Division of Consumer Services is here to assist insurance consumers in the aftermath of a disaster. Our insurance experts can answer the many insurance-related questions which arise following a storm.
Citizens Insurance Corporation Policyholders, please click here to file a claim.
Due to limited staffing, we encourage you to file a complaint online by visiting our Get Insurance Help homepage. You may also call their toll-free insurance consumer helpline at: 1-877-693-5236, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
For alerts, special needs disaster assistance, & emergency shelters.
Legal Aid Helpline
When disaster strikes, navigating recovery can be overwhelming, especially when legal issues arise.
The Florida Disaster Legal Aid Helpline, operated by Bay Area Legal Services’ Disaster Relief Team, provides free legal assistance to individuals and families affected by disasters across Florida.
The helpline offers guidance and support for a wide range of disaster-related legal issues, including:
Apply for FEDERAL Assistance here:
https://www.fema.gov/disaster/current
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The fastest way to apply is through DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply through the FEMA mobile app or by calling the FEMA Helpline.
The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is opening Family Resource Support Centers across the impact area and will serve as a central location for access to community resources and support.
Department staff will be on-site, including Hope Navigators, behavior health partners who specialize in disaster recovery response, and public benefit eligibility specialists to help individuals and families who need assistance due to Hurricane.
Visit https://www.myflfamilies.com/hopeflorida to view location details and hours, or call now to speak to a Hope Navigator.
Hope Florida – A Pathway to Purpose, to support older Floridians in need of help & to equip seniors and their caregivers with assistance Call 850-300-HOPE or email us at information@elderaffairs.org.
The Red Cross is here for you. Please call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) – 24 hours a day – or find an open shelter.
The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to provide financial assistance to our communities as they respond to and recover from times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with public, private, and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities.
To contribute, visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222.
Florida Housing Search is a free, state resource for renters and property managers in Florida. Help renters find housing that fits a variety of needs and income. The Florida Housing Finance Corporation is verifying that all listings are up to date. Visit our:
The Florida Attorney General’s Office has activated the Florida price gouging hotline to accept reports of extreme price increases on essential commodities.
If you suspect price gouging, you can report it by calling the hotline at 1-866-9-NO-SCAM or by visiting the Florida Attorney General’s website myfloridalegal.com.
Operation Blue Roof
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in coordination with FEMA, may be able to assist eligible homeowners with temporary roof repairs. Operation Blue Roof is a free service to homeowners.
Homeowners can sign up online at blueroof.us or call 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258) for more information.
Tax records are not a first priority for those affected by natural disasters nor should they be. However, these records may be necessary to get federal assistance or insurance reimbursement.
Emergency Loans & Information from Governor DeSantis
Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. Florida small business owners in need of assistance are encouraged to visit www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL to apply for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to Florida businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted
Check out these great videos from Herman & Wells Law firm. Hurricane Insurance Questions Answered.
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