More than 900,000 households have applied for federal disaster assistance, but there are only three weeks left to apply for damages related to Hurricane Ian. Survivors whose primary residence is in one of the 26 counties designated for federal disaster assistance for Hurricane Ian are encouraged to apply.

Homeowners, renters, and business owners need to submit their application by Jan. 12 to be considered for disaster assistance under the Individuals and Households Program. Survivors should apply to FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA may provide assistance to eligible survivors who have uninsured disaster-related damage or loss.

Those affected by Hurricane Ian and have insurance are encouraged to first file a claim with their insurance for disaster-related damages to their homes, cars, and businesses before they apply for FEMA assistance. Survivors can apply with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov/ or by calling 800-621-3362. The toll-free number with multilingual operators is accepting calls daily, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET. Survivors can also register at any Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) throughout Florida’s disaster-damaged counties. 

The Jan. 12 deadline also applies to applications for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and covers the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property.

FEMA's Housing Assistance and Other Needs Assistance grants for medical, dental, and funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants referred to SBA must complete and submit an SBA loan application to be considered for additional forms of disaster assistance. Applicants who do not qualify for an SBA loan may be referred back to FEMA to be considered for Other Needs Assistance. The SBA Disaster Customer Service Center’s number is 800-659-2955. Help is also available by sending an email to: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or by visiting www.sba.gov. Survivors may apply online at SBA's secure website: disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

Fifty-one additional Florida counties affected by Hurricane Nicole are now eligible for emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program.

The counties are Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Broward, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Miami-Dade, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Wakulla and Washington; and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Brevard, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Martin, Nassau, Palm Beach, St. Johns, St. Lucie and Volusia Counties were authorized for Public Assistance in the initial disaster declaration issued on Dec. 13.