Hillsborough County Government Online - Emergency

After a Presidential Disaster Declaration has been declared, the 1st step for individuals or businesses that require assistance is to call:

Specially trained operators at Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Tele-registration Center will process the application. Further assistance may be coordinated through the Disaster Recovery Center which will be established in Hillsborough County or a surrounding County if it is a regional disaster declaration. Representatives of federal, state, local and volunteer organizations will be available to help disaster victims who are applying for assistance.

Once implemented, the SBA program can offer low interest loans to individuals and businesses for refinancing, repair, rehabilitation, or replacement of damaged property (real and personal). Loans may be available to businesses, which have suffered an economic impact as a result of the disaster. A SBA declaration can be made independently or in concert with a Presidential Disaster Declaration. There must be a minimum of twenty-five homes or businesses with 40 percent or more uninsured losses and/or five businesses with substantial economic or physical losses.

In the event of a Presidential declared disaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency managed Temporary Housing Program may be authorized in order to meet the housing needs of victims. The program has several components including:

Mortgage and Rental Assistance Program
Applicable for individuals or families who have received written notice of eviction or foreclosure due to financial hardship caused by a disaster.
Rental Assistance
Provided to homeowners or renters whose dwelling is determined unlivable as a direct result of a disaster.
Minimal Repair Program
Provides money for owner occupied, primary residences, which may have sustained minor damage, and are unlivable as a direct result of a disaster.
Mobile Homes or Other Readily Fabricated Dwellings
When all other avenues are exhausted, Federal Emergency Management Agency may initiate the mobile home program. Such homes are moved to or near, the disaster site and set up.

The Individual and Family Grant Program provides grants to help families meet serious needs and necessary expenses that are not covered by other government assistance programs, insurance, or other conventional forms of assistance. At present, grant amounts can be made up to $13,900 (adjusted annually in accordance with the consumer price index). Financial aid can be provided under the following categories:

Individuals unemployed as a result of a major disaster, and not covered by regular state or private unemployment insurance programs, may be eligible for unemployment benefits. The weekly compensation received will not exceed the maximum amount of payment under Florida's Unemployment Compensation Program and may be provided until an individual is re-employed or up to twenty-six weeks after the major disaster is declared (whichever is shorter).

Low interest disaster loans are made available to farmers, ranchers and agricultural operators for physical or production losses. Loans of up to 80 percent of actual production loss or 100 percent of the actual physical loss with a maximum indebtedness of $500,00 may be made to either the tenant or owner of the agricultural business.

The Internal Revenue Service helps residents identify ways in which the disaster affects their federal income tax. Casualty loss credits, early tax refunds and information on lost documentation are some services available to residents.

Emergency food coupons may be made available to residents. This program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the federal level and the Florida Department of Children and Families at the state level. Length of eligibility for receiving food coupons will be determined by the President.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, Florida Department of Community Affairs and Hillsborough County will conduct "outreach" activities in an effort to inform disaster victims concerning what programs are available, where the Disaster Recovery Centers are located and hours of operation. This outreach will be accomplished by utilizing all media resources and by assembling and deploying outreach teams throughout the County.

Professional services will be provided to help relieve disaster-related stress and prevent the development of more serious physical and mental health problems.

Assistance and information about resolving insurance claims will be provided by telephone and/or the Disaster Recovery Centers.

Free legal advice to low income individuals who require assistance because of the disaster will be provided by telephone and/or at the Disaster Recovery Centers.