Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance is now available to Pinellas County residents who experienced damages/losses due to Hurricane Helene. Disaster assistance may include financial help for temporary lodging, basic home repairs and other disaster-caused expenses. Eligible residents can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, using the FEMA app or by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
The Disaster Legal Services Advice Hotline is a FEMA-funded free legal aid hotline for disaster-related problems for disaster survivors who cannot afford an attorney. The hotline number will be announced when the hotline is activated. Normally, callers will be instructed to say that they are seeking storm-related legal assistance, indicate the county in which they are located, and state their legal problem(s). Among the many legal issues that callers may be able to get help with are FEMA benefits, home repairs contracts, insurance claims, wills, scams, landlord/tenant problems, and access to disaster assistance.
Provides an extensive library of insurance resources to help consumers navigate the disaster process at https://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/consumers/understanding-insurance/guides.
The Florida Housing Finance Corporation provides families with information on housing resources and assistance.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) provides unemployment assistance to people in FEMA disaster-declared counties whose employment or self-employment has been impacted as a direct result of a disaster if they are not eligible for regular Unemployment Insurance (UI).
Normally, eligible workers include but are not limited to people who are self-employed and gig and part-time workers as well as workers who have already exhausted their regular Reemployment Assistance (RA). Generally, citizens and immigrants who have work authorization can collect DUA. More detailed eligibility criteria is here.
Applicants must file for state Reemployment Assistance benefits first, before filing for DUA. During the application, claimants should note whether their work has been impacted by the disaster. If applicants are determined ineligible for Reemployment Assistance, DEO will automatically prompt them to file a DUA application if they said that their job was impacted by the disaster.
Local CareerSource Centers should have additional information about DUA, including eligibility criteria and the link to apply.
SAMHSA is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.
The Disaster Distress Helpline is a national hotline dedicated to providing year-round immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
The US Small Business Administration is offering low interest Physical Damage and Economic Injury Loans. Residents and businesses can visit https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance to apply, and can contact disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or call 1-800-659-2955 for assistance.
A Family Resource Center is now open by the FL Department of Children and Families at Bridgepoint Church (6690 Crosswinds Dr. N. St. Petersburg). Food, water, diapers, wipes, and some cleaning supplies as well as resource information for Activate Hope.
HOPE Florida is assisting residents with unmet needs. The HOPE Line can be reached at 1-833-GET-HOPE (1-833-438-4673) or at hopeflorida.com.
FloridaCommerce activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $15 million available for businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. Pinellas County business owners in need of assistance are encouraged to visit the link to apply for the the program. The program provides short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to Hurricane Helene. Visit FloridaJobs.org/EBL.
The MyFloridaCFO website posts public service announcements, advisories and consumer resources. It also operates Florida’s Insurance Helpline, 1-77-MY-FL-CFO, or online at Get Insurance Help.
An online advice clinic to match low-income Floridians with licensed attorneys who can answer basic legal questions. There is a “Helene” category that has been set up.
Funding Florida Legal Aid (FFLA) provides a Hurricane Civil Legal Aid Resources webpage.
If you feel you have been unfairly treated by a lawyer, contact The Florida Bar’s Attorney Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP) at 866-352-0707. The Florida Bar is responsible for prosecuting unethical lawyers for sanctions to be imposed by the Supreme Court of Florida.
State law prohibits extreme increases in the price of essential commodities, such as food, water, hotels, ice, gasoline, lumber and equipment, needed as a direct result of an officially declared emergency. Anyone who suspects price gouging during this declared state of emergency should report it to the Attorney General’s Office by calling 866-9-NO-SCAM. Here is a page with frequently asked questions about price gouging.
Florida citizens should use caution and good judgment in any emergency, particularly when dealing with representatives of insurance companies or direct contact from lawyers. Any contact by a lawyer or a lawyer’s representative in person or by telephone asking to handle a specific case is a direct violation of The Florida Bar’s disciplinary rules, unless the injured party has requested contact from the lawyer. Florida Bar rules also prohibit lawyers from writing or emailing within 30 days of an accident or disaster unless they have been specifically asked to provide information. To report an unlawful contact, call The Florida Bar at 866-352-0707.
Only a lawyer can give legal advice and provide legal services. If you believe that an individual or business has engaged in the unlicensed practice of law, call The Florida Bar at 850-561-5840.
https://pinellas.gov/emergency-information
https://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/ica/storm
https://pinellas.gov/ready-pinellas
https://pinellas.gov/after-the-storm/
https://pinellas.gov/news/cooling-stations-open-around-county/
Homes: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/3549976c61cf4f73a8910a9273107270
Businesses: https://floridadisaster.biz/Respond/BusinessDamageAssessmentsSurvey
Clean sand can be returned to the beach above the high tide line (mean high water line). The sand must not have stains, odors or include debris, and you must not place it over dune plants, turtle nests, storm debris or construction debris. If the sand does not meet the criteria, you must request permission from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (840-245-2094 or email CCCL@FloridaDEP.gov). Once you have permission, the same placement restrictions apply. Failure to follow these rules may result in civil penalties. If you are using heavy equipment, be cautious of buried water lines and other infrastructure.
Important restrictions:
Whenever using a contractor, make sure they are licensed. Unlicensed or fraudulent contractors often target desperate home and business owners in the aftermath of hurricanes. Learn more at Pinellas.gov/choosing-a-contractor. Verify that contractors are licensed at https://contractorsearch.pcclb.com/.
The Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7 toll-free, multilingual disaster crisis counseling for anyone experiencing emotional distress related to disasters. Call or text 1-800-985-5990.
View more information.
https://www.stpete.org/residents/public_safety/hurricane_helene_recovery_assistance.php
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