Find out how to apply for FEMA assistance, receive help for your business and more

Brenno Carillo, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
·6 min read

DAYTONA BEACH – In the wake of Hurricane Ian, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has  included Volusia County in its Individual Assistance program, which means there may be help on the way to those affected by the storm.

Kayaks and canoes for the most part obeyed the speed limit in this Port Orange neighborhood.
Kayaks and canoes for the most part obeyed the speed limit in this Port Orange neighborhood.

But how much help? And how do you apply for it?

Live updates: Sunday updates on Ian: So far, 5 Volusia deaths attributed to storm

More Ian coverage: Ian's aftermath: Storms keep shortening Daytona Beach Shores' iconic Sunglow Pier

Assistance includes grants to pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs, uninsured and underinsured personal property losses, and medical, dental and funeral expenses caused by the disaster among other things.

How to apply

To submit applications, Volusia residents can go to www.disasterassistance.gov, download the FEMA app, or call 800-621-3362. Representatives will be available to take calls through this number from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The county will serve as a resource to assist residents in applying for FEMA assistance. The Volusia County Public Library system has six branches in operation with internet access. Staff is ready to help residents submit applications at these branches:

  • DeBary Public Library: 200 N. Charles R. Beall Blvd., DeBary

  • Deltona Regional Library: 2150 Eustace Ave., Deltona

  • Edgewater Public Library: 103 W. Indian River Blvd., Edgewater

  • Hope Place Public Library: 1310 Wright St., Daytona Beach

  • New Smyrna Beach Regional Library: 1001 S. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach

  • Ormond Beach Regional Library: 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach

What to expect after you apply for FEMA assistance

FEMA may be able to help with temporary housing expenses, basic home repairs or other essential disaster-related needs that are not covered by insurance.

If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.

FEMA will ask for:

  • A current phone number where you can be contacted.

  • Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.

  • Your Social Security number.

  • A general list of damage and losses.

  • Banking information if you choose direct deposit.

  • If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.

If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your damage expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

Home inspections

If you report that you cannot, or may not be able to, safely live in your home, FEMA may need to perform an inspection of the damaged dwelling. The inspection may be conducted at the site of the damaged dwelling or remotely. FEMA will contact you to let you know how the inspection will take place.

For remote inspections, FEMA inspectors will contact applicants to answer questions about the type and extent of damage sustained. Survivors with minimal damage who can live in their homes will not automatically be scheduled for a home inspection. However, they may request an inspection if they later find significant disaster-caused damage.

Remote inspections have no impact on the types of Other Needs Assistance available that do not require an inspection. This includes childcare, transportation, medical and dental, funeral expenses, moving and storage, and Group Flood Insurance Policy Assistance.

For an accessible video on FEMA home inspections, go to youtube.com/watch?v=kXMaDkY3Q2o.

Help is available from other sources as well.

Help for small businesses

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has included Volusia County on its list of counties where businesses may apply for assistance.

The SBA offers disaster assistance in the form of low-interest loans to businesses, nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters located in regions affected by declared disasters.

SBA disaster loans are the primary source of federal long-term disaster recovery funds for disaster damages not fully covered by insurance or other compensation. They do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

To apply, visit www.disasterloanassistance.sba.gov or call 1-800-659-2955 for more information.

Buyer beware

Meanwhile, as residents are cleaning up, repairing and rebuilding their homes and businesses, Volusia County officials are urging them to be extra careful when hiring help.

Don't trust “door-to-door solicitors” promising a speeded-up permit process and asking for large advance payments.

“Look first to licensed local contractors who have performed well in the past,” officials recommended.

To find out if a person is locally licensed or state certified, call Volusia County’s Contractor Licensing Office at 386-736-5957, option 2, or visit the county’s Connect Live site at www.connectlivepermits.org and choose the contractor tab.

You can also search for state-certified or registered contractors by clicking on the “Verify a license tab” at www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr.

Shelters

Volusia County has closed its shelters at Galaxy Middle School, DeLand High School, Mainland High School and Atlantic High School.

All residents who have been in those shelters have been transferred to the Ocean Center at 101 N. Atlantic Ave. in Daytona Beach, which is being used as the primary shelter for Volusia County at the moment.

The shelter is pet friendly. Residents must bring necessary pet items and supplies.

It will provide temporary transitional housing for residents who are unable to return home because of storm damage. Local government entities and community organizations will collaborate to find longer-term housing for affected residents.

Residents with special medical needs and veterans

In a news release on Sunday, FEMA instructed “medically dependent residents of Florida who need electricity to operate medical equipment, transport services to evacuated due to a medical condition or need help getting medication during a disaster can register for assistance at FloridaDisaster.org/SNR.”

Floridians who use Veterans Affairs medical centers and clinics and need urgent care services should call 877-741-3400. Find a list of open VA centers at www.va.gov/find-locations.

Additionally, the Heritage Health Emergency Pharmaceutical Refill Program is activated in Florida, call at 866-265-0124, option 1 with questions. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, and weekends from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET. Veterans needing emergency refill locations can visit va.hhspharmacy.com/locations/index.html.

County residents may receive tax relief

In a Sunday news release, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced tax relief for individuals and households affected by Ian that reside or have a business anywhere in the state of Florida.

Volusia County residents have until Feb. 15, 2023, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.

More information

Volusia County’ Citizens Information Center is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. to answer questions and provide information related to Ian. Residents can call 866-345-0345 or visit www.volusia.org/services/public-protection/emergency-management/pin.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: FEMA’s assistance program: here is how Volusia residents can apply