Resources Available Following Hurricane Milton

Posted On: October 28, 2024

In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, Volusia County continues to mobilize recovery efforts to assist residents and businesses impacted by the storm. As the community begins the process of rebuilding, we are sharing information about resources available through the local, state, and federal governments.

FEMA Individual Assistance

Volusia County residents who were impacted by Hurricane Milton can apply for federal assistance, as FEMA has officially declared the county a disaster area. This declaration unlocks individual and public assistance, as well as hazard mitigation, to help in recovery. Residents can submit their applications online at www.disasterassistance.gov, through the FEMA mobile app, or by calling 800-621-3362.

Crisis Cleanup

Senior and disabled residents, along with others who are unable to complete necessary repairs can call Crisis Cleanup at 844-965-1386 to submit a request for help from volunteers.

Operation Blue Roof

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has opened Operation Blue Roof through Tuesday, Nov. 14. The program is available for impacted residents in multiple counties, including Volusia County. This program is a free service for homeowners and permanently occupied rental properties, providing fiber-reinforced, industrial-strength sheeting to protect storm-damaged roofs until homeowners can make permanent repairs. Residents impacted by Hurricane Milton can sign up for this no-cost service by visiting blueroof.gov, calling 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258).

Debris Hotline

Volusia County has opened a hotline for residents to help answer debris removal questions and receive information regarding storm debris collection in unincorporated areas. Residents can call 833-843-2985 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

Disaster Food Assistance

Second Harvest Food Bank

The Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida remains a critical resource for people who need food assistance. This nonprofit agency is dedicated to supporting our community and can provide food options to those in need. To find a location near you or to learn more, visit Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)

Volusia County residents affected by Hurricane Milton can also preregister for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits through the Florida Department of Children and Families starting Monday, Nov. 11. This program offers food assistance to individuals and families impacted by the hurricane who are not already receiving benefits through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Residents can preregister online at www.myflfamilies.com/dsnap from Nov. 11-15. To qualify for D-SNAP, applicants must:

• Not currently receive regular food assistance through SNAP
• Have been living in Volusia County at the time of Hurricane Milton
• Have experienced a disaster-related loss, such as:
  • Damage to their home or self-employment property
  • Loss of food
  • Reduction or loss of income
  • Other disaster-related expenses
• Meet DCF’s established financial eligibility guidelines
• Provide documentation as required by DCF

Approved applicants will receive an electronic benefit transfer card by mail. This card can be used to purchase food at authorized retailers. 

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Volusia County residents and businesses whose employment or self-employment was interrupted or lost due to Hurricane Milton can apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) through FloridaCommerce. DUA assists individuals who are ineligible for federal or state Reemployment Assistance benefits, provided they meet one of the following criteria:

• Is unemployed as a direct result of the major disaster
• Was scheduled to start employment but was unable to as a direct result of the major disaster
• Is unable to reach their job or self-employment location because the individual has to travel through an affected area and is prevented from doing so as a direct result of the major disaster
• Has become the primary breadwinner because the head of the household died as a direct result of the major disaster
• Is unable to work because of an injury that was a direct result of the major disaster

DUA covers weeks of unemployment from Oct. 6, 2024, through April 12, 2025, as long as the individual's unemployment continues to result from the disaster in designated disaster areas, including Volusia County. Applicants must submit their claims by Dec. 10.

To file a claim, individuals should visit www.floridajobs.org and click "File a Claim," go to a local CareerSource Center, or call a customer service representative at 800-385-3920. Customer service representatives are available to assist from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Volusia Helps App

Volusia County residents affected by Hurricane Milton can use the Volusia Helps app to quickly access vital resources. This free app provides up-to-date information on services for those in need with disaster relief and more. Users can search for specific services or browse through 13 categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities. The app offers detailed information on over 50 agencies, including application processes, fees, hours, locations, and contact details. Available for download on Apple and Android devices, Volusia Helps can also be accessed online at Volusia Helps.

Small Business Administration Loans 

Volusia County businesses, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters impacted by Hurricane Milton can apply for U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans for their uncompensated losses. These loans are designed to assist with repairs or replacements of disaster-damaged real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory, and other business assets. Businesses and nonprofits of all sizes may qualify for loans up to $2 million.

Additionally, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to support small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, aquaculture businesses, and most private nonprofit organizations. These loans help cover working capital needs resulting from the disaster and are available even if the business did not suffer physical property damage.

Homeowners can secure disaster loans up to $500,000 for real estate repairs or replacements, while homeowners and renters may obtain up to $100,000 to address personal property losses, including vehicles that were damaged by the disaster. Disaster loans can also be used to cover insurance deductibles.

The loans feature interest rates as low as 4% for businesses, 3.25% for nonprofit organizations, and 2.813% for homeowners and renters. Terms can extend up to 30 years. Importantly, interest accrual and repayments start 12 months from the first disbursement. The SBA determines loan amounts and terms based on each applicant's financial condition.

The SBA advises applicants to also pursue FEMA grants to ensure comprehensive recovery. While FEMA grants aim to cover essential expenses and urgent needs not met by other sources, SBA disaster loans focus on long-term recovery to restore pre-disaster conditions.

Applicants must submit their applications for physical property damage by Dec. 10 and economic injury by July 11, 2025. For more details or to apply, visit www.sba.gov/disaster, call the SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Small Business Hurricane Recovery Grants

Small businesses in Volusia County that sustained physical damages or economic losses from Hurricane Milton may apply for a Small Business Hurricane Recovery Grant through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The foundation will award selected grantees $5,000 to assist with disaster recovery. These funds can be used for various needs such as rent, utilities, payroll, inventory, and equipment.

To qualify for a grant, businesses must meet the following baseline eligibility criteria:

• Operate as a business or a chamber of commerce with 1 to 25 employees
• Possess an employer identification number issued by the Internal Revenue Service 
• Not have received a grant from the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s Small Business Readiness for Resiliency Program in 2024
• Maintain a business bank account capable of accepting automated clearing house payments

Nonprofit organizations, except for chambers of commerce, are ineligible for the grant.

Interested businesses must complete and submit an online application for the grant program by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17. Applicants should prepare the following documents for upload before starting their application:

• An IRS W-9 form that includes the business’s name, full mailing address, employer identification number, signature, and date
• An unsigned, voided blank business check or a signed bank letter verifying the business’s account information

All applicants will be notified of their application status by Friday, Dec. 13. For additional information about the grant, full eligibility criteria, and to start an application, visit the USCCF grant website.

FHA Resource Center

Volusia County homeowners with Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insured mortgages struggling to make payments due to Hurricane Milton's impact may qualify for relief assistance. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) encourages such homeowners to contact their lenders to explore available support options.

To aid those affected, lenders may provide relief by postponing or halting foreclosure actions for up to 90 days for borrowers with delinquent FHA loans. In addition, lenders may evaluate homeowners for loan forbearance plans or other loss mitigation options that could help residents retain their homes. Homeowners are urged to contact their mortgage servicer directly to learn more about specific options.

HUD also offers free foreclosure prevention counseling through its housing counseling agencies, available to any homeowner regardless of mortgage type. Residents can connect with a certified housing counselor by calling 800-569-4287 or using HUD's online locator to find local assistance.

For further guidance, homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages can contact the FHA Resource Center at 800-304-9320. HUD also recommends that homeowners with conventional mortgages contact their lenders as they may offer disaster relief programs that could provide assistance.

Disaster Recovery Program – Insurance and Repairs

This program may provide grant funds related to repairs or repayment of insurance deductibles to eligible residents who were impacted by Hurricane Milton or Ian. Call Volusia County Community Assistance at 386-736-5955 to schedule a pre-screening appointment.

Disaster Recovery Program – Relocation Assistance

This program may provide funds to residents who were displaced as a direct result of Hurricane Milton or Ian. Applications are available at www.volusia.org/disaster-recovery.   

SHIP Funds

Volusia County’s Community Assistance Division has State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funding available to assist residents who need home repairs, insurance deductible payments, and/or need relocation due to displacement as a direct result of Hurricane Milton. Residents must have already filed a claim with their homeowners insurance and applied for FEMA assistance.

Residents interested in applying for assistance must request a phone interview by contacting the Community Assistance Division at 386-736-5955 or communityassistance@volusia.org. Applicants will need to provide their name, phone number, and time of availability. Phone interviews will be reviewed to determine if the applicant and home meet the initial criteria. If necessary, applicants may be placed on a wait list.

Applicants must own and occupy their home and live in Volusia County, but not within the city limits of Deltona or Daytona Beach. Residents applying for assistance for manufactured homes are eligible only if the home was constructed after June 1994 and they own the land where the home is located.

Households making 1 to 80% of the area median income may not make more than these amounts:

• One-person household: $46,400
• Two-person household: $53,000
• Three-person household: $59,650
• Four-person household: $66,250
• Five-person household: $71,550
• Six-person household: $76,850

Limited funding is available for households making 81 to 120% of the area median income. These households may not make more than the following amounts:

• One-person household: $69,600
• Two-person household: $79,560
• Three-person household: $89,520
• Four-person household: $99,360
• Five-person household: $107,400
• Six-person household: $115,320
• Applicants’ household income may not exceed 120% of the area median income.

Completed applications may be dropped off or mailed to Volusia County Community Assistance, 121 W. Rich Ave., DeLand, FL 32720. For more information or to request accommodations, contact communityassistance@volusia.org or 386-736-5955.

FEMA Aid for Hurricane-Damaged Wells and Septic Systems 

Volusia County residents whose private wells or septic systems were damaged due to Hurricane Milton could be eligible for FEMA assistance. FEMA can reimburse eligible residents for costs incurred from a licensed technician's estimate detailing necessary repairs or replacements to the disaster-damaged systems.

Moreover, FEMA may cover the costs of repairing or replacing wells or septic systems, which are often not covered under standard homeowners insurance policies.

Homeowners who have already applied for FEMA assistance but did not include damages to their well or septic systems should call the FEMA helpline at 621-3362 for information on amending their applications. Residents can apply for FEMA assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov, through the FEMA mobile app, or by calling the FEMA helpline.

Financial Assistance Available for Repairing Privately Owned Bridges and Roads 

Volusia County residents whose privately owned roads or bridges were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Milton may be eligible for financial assistance for repair or replacement through FEMA or the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). To qualify, a resident must own and use the home as their primary residence.

A FEMA inspection will determine if repairs are necessary to allow vehicle access to the primary residence. Applicants must also meet the following conditions:

• The applicant is responsible for maintaining the privately owned access route to their primary residence or shares responsibility with other homeowners.
• The privately owned access route is the sole access to the applicant's primary residence, and repair or replacement is necessary for the safety of the occupants, allowing access for emergency vehicles or equipment.

If multiple households share a damaged privately owned access route, the assistance will be divided among the applicants. This arrangement requires additional coordination between FEMA and the applicants. Residents can apply for FEMA assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov, through the FEMA mobile app, or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362.

Additionally, the SBA offers disaster loans for residents' uncompensated losses due to Hurricane Milton. Homeowners may secure disaster loans up to $500,000 for real estate repairs or replacements with an interest rate as low as 2.813%; loan terms may extend up to 30 years.

For more information on securing or applying for a disaster loan for damage to a privately owned road or bridge, visit www.sba.gov/disaster, call the SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.