Bilirakis Office Numbers
727-232-2921 (Pasco)
352-654-1004 (Citrus)
352-691-1231 (Hernando)
202-225-5755 (Washington, D.C.)
website.                                   Hurricane Relief Resource Guide.

FEMA DISASTER ASSISTANCE

FEMA is the primary federal agency tasked with helping individuals, businesses, and public entities recover after a disaster.  Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties have been designated as a Major Disaster area and approved for Individual Assistance.   All individuals who are impacted by a storm should apply for FEMA assistance. Please call 1-800-621-3362, pr visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov  to apply.

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.
Child Care: Money to help you pay for increased or child care 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.

Please have the following information available when you apply:

• A phone number and a reliable alternate in case FEMA needs to call you back;
• Address of the damaged property;
• Social Security number;
• Bank account information (or direct deposit information);
• Insurance information (if you have insurance);
• Brief description of damages;
• Current mailing address; and
• Pen and paper to write down your registration number.

NOTE: Government disaster assistance only covers basic needs and usually will not compensate you for your entire loss. If you have insurance, the government may help pay for basic needs not covered under your insurance policy.  FEMA will not pay for your insurance deductible. 

FEMA ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLDS: FEMA also may determine that you qualify for the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) and the Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program. The IHP and ONA programs provide financial help or direct services to those who have necessary expenses and serious needs if they are unable to meet the needs through other means such as insurance or loans. With respect to any single emergency or major disaster, the maximum grant amount is $42,500 for housing assistance and $42,500 for other needs assistance (the amount is adjusted each year on October 1st). Please Note: Though the maximum available grant in each category is up to $42,500, it would only be available if insurance and loan options were first exhausted. Few applicants qualify for the full amount.

Household Composition: People living together in one residence before the disaster are expected to continue to live together after the disaster. Generally, assistance is provided to the pre-disaster household as a unit. If the assistance provided to the household is not shared with you, or if the new residence is too small or causes you undue hardship, you may request assistance to separate from your pre-disaster household.

Type of Assistance: Generally, no more than one type of IHP assistance may be provided to the household. Only FEMA - in conjunction with the State of Florida - has the authority to determine which type of assistance is most appropriate for the household and the period of assistance to be covered.

Proper Use of Assistance: All financial assistance provided by FEMA should be used as specified in writing: to rent another place to live, to make the home repairs identified by FEMA, to prevent eviction or foreclosure, or to replace or repair personal property. Failure to use the money as specified may make you ineligible for additional assistance. All money provided by FEMA is taxfree.

Documentation: It is your responsibility to provide all documentation necessary for FEMA to evaluate your eligibility. You may need to provide proof of occupancy, ownership, income loss, and/or information concerning your housing situation prior to the disaster. You should keep all receipts and records for any housing expenses incurred as a result of the disaster. This includes receipts for repair supplies, labor, and rent payments. Insurance: If you have insurance, any assistance provided by FEMA should be considered an advance and must be repaid to FEMA when you receive your insurance settlement payment. If your settlement is less than FEMA's estimated cost to make your home habitable, you may qualify for funds to supplement your insurance settlement, but only for repairs relating to the home's habitability. FEMA does not provide replacement or assistance with non-essential items.

FAQs REGARDING FEMA ASSISTANCE

Do I have to register with FEMA to get help? Yes, with very few exceptions, if you want federal assistance, you must register with FEMA.
What is the difference between FEMA and the SBA? FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters. The Small Business Administration (SBA), on the other hand, is the federal government's primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster/damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses, and non-profit organizations repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, inventory, and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY 1- 800-877-8339).
What happens after I register? You will receive a call from a FEMA housing inspector. On­ site inspections are an important early step in helping to speed aid to homeowners and renters suffering flood damage. All inspectors carry photo identification and will have the FEMA registration number assigned to the person whose home is being inspected. Only an official FEMA inspector will have the number that was provided during registration. The FEMA inspection is free so beware of individuals attempting to charge for inspections or remodeling contractors claiming to be FEMA approved. FEMA does not endorse construction firms. When a FEMA inspector calls for an appointment, registrants should provide a clear, accurate description of the damaged property and current contact information. You do not have to wait for the inspector to arrive before beginning repairs. Photos, contractor estimates, and receipts can be provided to FEMA inspectors to document the extent of the damage. The inspection generally takes 30 - 40 minutes. The inspector enters damage-related information into a handheld computer and sends data electronically to FEMA. The inspector does not determine whether a registrant is eligible for assistance or the amount of assistance an individual may receive. You may also receive a call from a representative of the SBA. An SBA loan application is included in the FEMA registration materials and is a key part of the registration process, but you are not required to take out an SBA loan. However, if you think you may need a loan, it is important to apply because it may open other opportunities for federal assistance. No appointment is necessary to meet with an SBA Customer Service Representative at a Disaster Recovery Center or Business Recovery Center. There is no cost to apply for an SBA disaster loan and you are not obligated to accept a loan that SBA approves. FEMA may also direct you to other federal organizations, such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development, on a case­ by-case basis.
Appeal Rights: If you disagree with FEMA's determination of eligibility or the form of assistance provided, you have the right to appeal within 60 days of the date of your notification letter. Call 1-800-621-3362 immediately to alert FEMA of your appeal. Send your appeal letter to: Appeals Officer, FEMA Individuals & Households Program, National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782 7055.

Important Information for Businesses
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DISASTER LOANS
Whether you rent or own your own home, business, or farm located in a declared disaster area, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the Small Business Administration. Please note that the filing deadline for SBA might be different than the FEMA deadline. Make sure you pay attention to the deadlines.

• Apply by phone to SBA: 1-800-659-2955 
• Apply online anytime at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela
• E-mail: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

FAQs About SBA Disaster Loans 
What Types of Disaster Loans are Available?

• Home Disaster Loans: Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate or personal property owned by the victim. Renters are eligible for their personal property losses, including automobiles
• Business Physical Disaster Loans: Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery, and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible as are non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, and private universities. 
• Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Loans for working capital to assist small businesses and small agricultural cooperatives through the disaster recovery period. EIDL assistance is only available to applicants and their owners who cannot provide for their own recovery from nongovernment sources. Farmers, ranchers, nurseries, religious and non-profit organizations are not eligible for an EIDL.

Debris Collection:
Pasco County, click here.
Hernando County, click here.
Citrus County, click here.<