Hernando County Residents Eligible For FEMA Federal Individual Assistance
Homeowners and renters in Hernando County who were affected by Hurricane Helene are encouraged to apply for federal disaster assistance to help jump start their recovery. It’s as easy as a 20-minute phone call or a click online. If affected by both Hurricane Debby and Hurricane Helene, when registering for assistance and asked the question about the date of when the damages occurred, homeowners should provide the date of their most recently sustained damages.
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. made the federal assistance available Saturday, September 28, 2024 when he approved a Major Disaster Declaration request from the state of Florida to help with costs associated with impacts from Hurricane Helene.
How to Apply with FEMA
- Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
- Call FEMA directly at 800-621-3362 (FEMA)
- FEMA works with each household on a case-by-case basis.
- Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service. For an accessible video on three ways to apply for FEMA assistance, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU7wzRjByhI
Types of FEMA Assistance Available
FEMA is offering a wide variety of help to people affected by the recent hurricanes. Every homeowner and renter who suffered damage is encouraged to apply.
Money provided by FEMA does not have to be repaid and may include:
- Serious Needs Assistance: Money for lifesaving and life-sustaining items, including water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, breastfeeding supplies, diapers, consumable medical supplies, durable medical equipment, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation.
- Displacement Assistance: Money to help with housing needs if you cannot return to your home because of the disaster. The money can be used to stay in a hotel, with family and friends or other options while you look for a rental unit.
- Home Repair or Replacement: Money to help you repair or replace your home damaged by the disaster. The money can also help with pre-existing damage to parts of your home where the disaster caused further damage.
- Rental Assistance: Money you can use to rent housing if you are displaced from your home because of the disaster.
- Personal Property: Money to help you repair or replace appliances, room furnishings, and a personal or family computer damaged by the disaster. This can also include money for books, uniforms, tools, medical equipment, and other items required for school or work, including self-employment.
- Childcare: Money to help you pay for increased or childcare expenses caused by the disaster.
- Transportation: Money to help you repair or replace a vehicle damaged by the disaster when you don’t have another vehicle you can use.
- Moving and Storage Expenses: Money to help you move and store personal property from your home to prevent additional damage.
