Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and other assistance resources
A. Federal Emergency Management Agency
Residents impacted by Hurricane Milton can now apply for aid through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Programs available are:
- Individual Assistance - Assistance to individuals and households (Deadline to apply is Jan. 7, 2025)
- Public Assistance - Assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities (Categories A&B)
- Hazard Mitigation Grant Program - Assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards
The programs provide financial and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by Hurricane Milton. The assistance is intended to meet basic needs, supplement disaster recovery efforts, emergency work assistance, replacement of disaster-damaged facilities, and mitigation assistance. Residents who need long-term housing are encouraged to apply for individual assistance with FEMA as soon as possible.
Hillsborough County residents who were impacted by Hurricane Milton can apply for FEMA assistance if they have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs, according to FEMA. However, FEMA assistance is not a substitute for insurance and cannot compensate for all losses caused by a disaster.
To apply for FEMA assistance:
- Visit Disasterassistance.gov. From this page you can review the application process, apply for Individual Assistance, and check the status of your application.
- Disaster Survivor Checklist:
For application help:
- Call the FEMA Helpline, (800) 621-3362, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
- For technical support or site errors, call the Internet Help Desk, (800) 745-0243, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
Application process:
Once FEMA has reviewed your application, the results of the inspection and/or documentation submitted, you will get a letter explaining:
- Whether you are approved for assistance
- How much assistance you will receive
- How the assistance must be used
- How to appeal FEMA’s decision if you do not agree with it
Read the FEMA resources fact sheet
Read the FEMA Disaster Assistance Fact Sheet
Read the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) Fact Sheet
B. FEMA - Rental and Displacement Assistance
FEMA Displacement Assistance may help homeowners and renters who can’t return to their home because it was damaged by any of the recent hurricanes: Hurricane Milton, Hurricane Helene, or Hurricane Debby. After receiving an inspection, an applicant may receive Displacement Assistance, and may be eligible to receive Rental Assistance.
Displacement Assistance
Displacement Assistance is money to help with immediate housing needs if you cannot live in your home after the hurricane. This money can be used to stay in a hotel, with family and friends or for other options while you look for temporary housing.
Displacement Assistance is a one-time payment. If you have used your Displacement Assistance and you still have housing needs, you can ask for Rental Assistance from FEMA by calling FEMA at 800-621-3362 or visiting a Disaster Recovery Center.
Rental Assistance
FEMA Rental Assistance is intended to cover the monthly rent amount, which may include a security deposit, at a place other than your damaged home. Your rental can be near your job, home, school and place of worship. The assistance may include essential utilities such as gas, oil, trash, sewer, electricity, and water, but not cable or Internet.
The approved rental amount will be based on fair market rates for your area as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The initial award for Rental Assistance may cover up to two months of rent.
To continue to be eligible for Rental Assistance, you must prove an ongoing need, which may be that suitable housing is not available or that your permanent housing plan has not been completed through no fault of your own. If you intend to seek continued assistance, you’ll need receipts to show you used the assistance for rent. Survivors should keep receipts for three years.
You may qualify for continued assistance if you:
- Demonstrate your disaster-related financial need; and
- Show you are developing a permanent housing plan or demonstrate progress toward one. A contractor’s estimate of repairs can point to progress.
A permanent housing plan is one that would put you back into a permanent, safe, sanitary, and functional housing within a reasonable time frame. You must continue to work toward obtaining permanent housing to remain eligible for continued Rental Assistance.
If your housing situation or circumstances change, it’s important to stay in contact with FEMA, as this could impact your eligibility.
If you were initially approved for Rental Assistance, an application for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance may be mailed to you 15 days after the grant is approved. If you do not receive one, please contact FEMA by calling 800-621-3362 or visiting a Disaster Recovery Center.
How to apply
- Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
- Download the FEMA App
- Visit a Disaster Recovery Center
- Call the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362 , 7 AM to 10 PM, seven days a week
C. FEMA - Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA)
FEMA has activated their Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program for Hillsborough County residents displaced by Hurricanes Helene or Milton. Residents who have already applied for FEMA disaster assistance may be eligible to stay temporarily in a hotel or motel paid for by FEMA.
If approved, FEMA will notify you through an automated phone call, text message, and/or email, depending upon the method you selected at the time you applied for FEMA disaster assistance.
TSA Eligibility and Facts
Hillsborough residents may be eligible for the TSA program in the event of the following:
- Already applied for FEMA disaster assistance
- Are unable to return to their disaster-damaged home
- Housing needs cannot be met by insurance, shelters, or rental assistance provided by FEMA or another agency
Continued eligibility is determined on an individual basis. When eligibility ends, survivors will be given a seven-day notice by FEMA.
If approved, TSA pays for:
- Cost of the room and taxes
- Non-refundable pet fees paid directly to participating hotels or motels*
*Pet fees will only be paid up to the approved limit of assistance for individual rooms
Survivors are responsible for the following expenses:
- Laundry
- Restaurant/room service
- Parking
- Telephone
- Movie rental
To find out more about the TSA program or to locate a participating TSA hotel:
- Call the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362, 7 AM to 10 PM, seven days a week
- Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
- Visit FEMAEmergencyHotels.com
- FEMA registration number is required. This number is obtained after applying for FEMA assistance.
- Use the FEMA Mobile App
- Transitional Sheltering Assistance Fact Sheet
- Transitional Sheltering Assistance Fact Sheet Spanish
D. Clean and Sanitize Assistance
If your home was damaged but you can live in it safely after Hurricane Milton, FEMA may be able to provide up to $300 in one-time financial assistance to help with cleanup. This assistance is for eligible homeowners and renters whose primary residence has verified damage and is located in a county designated for Individual Assistance.
The damage must not be covered by your insurance. If you have already cleaned up, save your receipts from any supplies, materials or paid help.
How to apply
- Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
- Download the FEMA Mobile App
- Call the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362, 7 AM to 10 PM, seven days a week
E. FEMA Assistance for Wells and Septic Systems Damaged by Hurricanes
Hillsborough residents whose private drinking water wells and septic systems were damaged during Hurricanes Helene or Milton may be eligible for federal assistance.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may reimburse residents for the cost of a professional, licensed technician who inspects the systems and prepares an estimate for necessary repairs or replacement. In addition, the agency may pay for the repairs and replacement, the costs of which are typically not covered by property insurance.
It must be determined that wells or septic systems were damaged by the hurricanes in order for residents to be eligible for financial help.
To apply:
- Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
- Download the FEMA Mobile App
- Call the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362, 7 AM to 10 PM, seven days a week