2023
2023
Page last updated: 03/05/2024
Hurricane Idalia struck the coast of Florida on August 27th, 2023, bringing severe wind, rain, flooding and a storm surge in its wake. On August 31, 2023, President Biden declared a major disaster
People in the following counties are eligible to receive federal disaster assistance:
*Columbia, Gilchrist, Hernando, Jefferson, Madison, and Pasco counties were added September 1st, 2023.
**Pinellas county was added September 3rd, 2023.
†Manatee and Sarasota counties were added September 9th, 2023
‡Charlotte and Hillsborough counties were added October 3, 2023
For the complete whitehouse.gov press release, please click here.
FEMA Application Deadline
Extended to Wednesday November 29, 2023
Appeal your FEMA decision letter
Within 60 days of the date on the determination letter.
Early SNAP Benefits
Residents in 49 counties who would receive their SNAP benefits between the 1st and 14th of September, received them on the 30th of August.
The listed counties are: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Osceola, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, and Wakulla.
SNAP Hot Food Waiver
Expires Saturday, September 30, 2023
Residents of Alachua, Baker, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Madison, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, and Wakulla counties may use SNAP money to purchase hot foods at participating retailers.
Receive Automatic SNAP Replacement
As early as September 5, 2023.
Families in Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Pasco, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla counties who received their SNAP benefits between August 15th and 28th, 2023, will automatically have 70% of their SNAP benefits replaced. Families who received their September SNAP benefits early are not eligible.
Apply for Disaster Unemployment
Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Pasco, Suwannee, and Taylor Counties: Tuesday, October 3, 2023.
Pasco County: Thursday, October 5, 2023.
Applications for FEMA Assistance can be submitted by:
Phone: Contact FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY users can call 1-800-462-7585.
Online: Fill out the application at DisasterAssistance.gov
In-Person: You can also fill out the application at a FEMA Disaster Resource Center (DRC).
Mobile Registration Intake Center: MRICs move around regularly. They will be in an area for a short period of time to help survivors who need registration help. Visit FEMA’s Disaster Declaration page to find more information about the Mobile Registration Intake Center locations and hours.
Disaster Recovery Center: To find a Disaster Recovery Center near you, use the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s DRC locator or text “DRC” and your zip code to 43362 (4FEMA) to locate a Disaster Recovery Center in your area.
Please check your local news and local officials for the latest safety and shelter resources.
Access information on Safety and Shelter assistance through the resources below.
A free legal help hotline is now available for Hurricane Idalia survivors in Florida. The hotline is available to connect survivors to free legal services in qualifying counties who cannot afford an attorney. Survivors can call (866) 550-2929 at any time and leave a message.