‘Rebuild their lives’: Funding available for people whose homes, businesses were affected by Ian

The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) has announced multiple recovery programs available to homes and businesses affected by Hurricane Ian.

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Individual assistance is accessible to people in need of financial and direct services who have uninsured or underinsured expenses or needs.

“We have been working closely with our federal, state and local partners to ensure that families and businesses have the resources they need to start their recovery from this devastating storm,” said FDEM Director Kevin Guthrie. “The people of Florida are resilient, and each state agency stands with them every step of the way as they begin to rebuild their lives.”

Those affected by the hurricane with insurance or outside of declared counties are still encouraged to apply.

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Federal Emergency Management Agency

Individual Assistance is available to people and households in need of financial and direct services who have uninsured or underinsured expenses.

People with insurance and residents outside of declared counties are still encouraged to apply.

Individual Assistance is available in the following counties:

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Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia counties.

Individuals can apply for disaster assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA mobile app, call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. or visit Mobile Registration Intake Centers announced by local officials.

Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

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The program, established by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), provides zero-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic hardship or physical damage due to the hurricane in the following counties:

Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia counties.

Officials said that small businesses in the most impacted counties will be prioritized as they are received.

Interested applicants can apply now on FloridaJobs.org/EBL through Dec. 2.

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You can also call 833-832-4494, Monday - Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for more information on the program.

Crisis Cleanup Hotline

A Home Cleanup Hotline opened to support survivors of the hurricane. With the collaboration of over 1,800 volunteer organizations, the Crisis Cleanup Hotline helps homes and businesses get on the path to recovery.

The crisis cleanup may be able to help with fallen trees, drywall, flooring and appliance removal to curb, tarping roofs and debris removal to curbs.

Read: Seminole County businesses deal with flooding, flickering power in Hurricane Ian aftermath

Households in need of damage assistance can call 1-800-451-1954.

The hotline will remain open through Friday, Oct. 28.

Operation Blue Roof Program

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started the Operation Blue Roof program on Monday.

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The goal is to provide a temporary blue covering with fiber-reinforced sheeting to help reduce further damage to properties until permanent repairs can be made.

Operation Blue Roof is a free service to homeowners and is currently operating in Charlotte, Collier, Lee and Sarasota counties.

The sign-up period is set for 21 days and will end on Sunday, Oct. 23.

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Residents impacted by Hurricane Ian can sign up at BlueRoof.us or call toll-free at 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258) for more information.

The call center will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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