City of Hollywood, FL
05/31/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/31/2023 13:21
Federal Funds Available for Flood Victims in Broward County
Posted on: May 31, 2023
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. Federal funding is also available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding in Broward County. Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide. Mr. Brett H. Howard has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
Federal Funds Available for Flood Victims in Broward County
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Florida and ordered Federal aid to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding from April 12 to April 14, 2023. The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Broward County.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. Federal funding is also available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding in Broward County. Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide. Mr. Brett H. Howard has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
How To Apply
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service.
What Kind of Assistance Can FEMA Provide to Broward County Flood Survivors?
Floridians who were impacted by the April 12 - 14 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Broward County may be eligible for FEMA assistance for temporary lodging, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other eligible expenses.
Lodging Expense Reimbursement
Under FEMA's Individuals and Households program, lodging expenses may be eligible for reimbursement if an applicant:
- Verifies occupancy in a primary residence within Broward County.
- Verifies that the primary residence is uninhabitable or inaccessible due to the storm.
Rental Assistance for Temporary Housing
FEMA may be able to provide rent, including a security deposit, if the storm made your primary residence uninhabitable. The assistance may include essential utilities such as electricity and water.
Major Repairs and Out-of-Pocket Expenses
FEMA's Individuals and Household Program assistance is intended to meet the basic needs of your household, not to restore your home and all your personal property items to a pre-storm condition.
- "Housing Assistance" covers repairs to structural parts of your home. This includes windows, doors, floors, walls, ceilings, cabinets, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system, utilities (electrical, plumbing and gas systems), and entrance ways. FEMA may also reimburse for repair or replacement of your furnace, well and septic system.
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"Other Needs Assistance" may provide reimbursement to homeowners and renters for such uninsured or underinsured, storm-related expenses as:
- Medical and dental expenses; funeral and burial costs; repair, cleaning, or replacement of clothing; household furniture and appliances; specialized tools used in your occupation; educational materials and moving, storage and other necessary expenses related to the storm and flooding.
- Your personally owned, disaster-damaged cars and trucks may also be eligible for repair or replacement by FEMA.
- FEMA may be able to reimburse applicants who rented or purchased generators for their primary residence during a power disruption caused by the severe storms and flooding.
Apply to FEMA
- To be eligible for FEMA's Individual and Households Program, you must apply to FEMA. There are three ways to apply: 1) DisasterAssistance.gov, 2) download the FEMA App for mobile devices, 3) call the FEMA Helpline toll-free 800-621-3362. The helpline is available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
- For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance, go to, FEMA Accessible: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance.
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Citizenship and FEMA Eligibility
Visit the FEMA website for a fact sheet about Citizenship and FEME Eligibility at www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/program/citizenship-immigration-status
Transportation Assistance
Floridians who were impacted by the April 12-14 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Broward County may be eligible for FEMA assistance to repair or replace a vehicle.
Other Needs Assistance (ONA) for Vehicles
FEMA's Other Needs Assistance (ONA) provides financial help after a disaster to cover necessary expenses and serious needs not paid by insurance or other sources. This may include repair or replacement of a vehicle. You must first apply to FEMA (800-621-3362, DisasterAssistance.gov, or FEMA mobile app), then submit an application for a disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). If you are denied a loan, or if the loan does not cover all the expense, you may be referred to FEMA for ONA consideration.
For assistance to repair or replace a vehicle, the damage must have been caused by the disaster and the vehicle must no longer be operable or safe to drive. Cosmetic repairs will not be covered. Other conditions include:
- The vehicle must have been damaged by the April 12-14 disaster and must have been located in Broward County at the time.
- Assistance is usually limited to one vehicle. If there is a second functional vehicle in the household, the applicant must certify in writing that the damaged vehicle is essential for the household's daily use.
- The vehicle must be in compliance with state registration and insurance requirements.
- The vehicle must be owned or leased (not a rental) by the applicant, co-applicant, or household member.
- The damaged vehicle must be an approved vehicle type, such as a car, truck, SUV or van.
- The amount provided for repair or replacement is based on the degree of damage and the amount the state has determined for the maximum repair and replacement value.
Documentation
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Documentation required for consideration, includes, but is not limited to:
- Proof of insurance policy showing the type of coverage or proof of vehicle meets the state's requirement
- Insurance provider settlement or statement that insurance coverage does not exists, for vehicle repair
- A verifiable estimate, bill, or receipt confirming the damage was caused by the disaster, with labor and parts/replacement costs. For vehicle replacement, additional documentation is necessary from state or local government confirming the vehicle was salvaged due to the disaster.