There are big changes coming to FEMA disaster recovery centers in Central Florida.
The FEMA disaster recovery center in Seminole County at Seminole State College will close on December 7.
Then, the Volusia County disaster recovery center will relocate to a new site that same day. The new location for the Volusia County site will be announced later this week.
Along with disaster recovery centers in 26 counties, FEMA has also rolled out one-day farm recovery centers in 8 counties to help farmers and ranchers apply for aid.
Several agencies including the USDA, Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rural Development, U.S. Small Business Administration, and Florida Department of Commerce will be on hand to assist.
In Central Florida, a farm recovery center will open in Bartow in Polk County at the W.H. Stuart Center on December 9, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Watch this video, in English and ASL, to learn more about applying for assistance:
In total, Floridians have received more than $1 billion in aid from the government agency after Hurricanes Milton, Helene and Debby.
Residents have until January 7 to apply for Hurricanes Helene and Milton assistance.
To find the disaster recovery center closest to you, go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a zip code to 43362.
Staff at these centers can help you apply for housing assistance and other short- and long-term needs if you incurred damages during one or both storms.
Floridians can also apply for assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA app for mobile devices, or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362.
Here’s a list of other helpful resources FEMA has collated for Floridians recovering from the storms:
- Activate Hope: Displaced survivors can apply for State Non-Congregate Sheltering by visiting the Activate Hope website at hopeflorida.com and filling out the Assistance Request Form or by calling the Hope Florida support line at 833-GET-HOPE (833-438-4673).
- FDEM Statewide Debris Dashboard: Debris Survey Results (Milton).
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA): If you lost your job or had a break in employment, self-employment, or business as a direct result of the recent hurricanes, visit Disaster Unemployment Assistance - FloridaJobs.org to learn about benefit money from Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
- Clean & Sanitize: FEMA may be able to provide up to $300 in one-time financial assistance to help with cleanup. Clean and Sanitize Assistance | FEMA.gov.
- Multi-Agency Resource Centers: Florida Division of Emergency Management and local communities are operating these centers to assist residents with storm recovery. FEMA specialists are available at most centers.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture/Farm Services Agency: emergency_disaster_designation_declaration_process- factsheet.pdf
- FEMA & Citizenship: You or a member of your household must be a U.S. citizen, non-U.S. citizen national or qualified non-citizen to apply for FEMA assistance.
- Be Alert to Fraud: Con artists and criminals may try to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud or identity theft after disasters. Be Alert to Fraud After Florida Hurricanes | FEMA.gov
- FEMA Rumor Response: Know what’s true and what isn’t. Hurricane Rumor Response | FEMA.gov
- National Flood Insurance Program: Installment Plan FAQs | FEMA.gov
- Small Business Hurricane Recovery Grant Program FAQs | U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
- Mental health resources for Floridians
- For help with cleanup: Call 833-GET HOPE
- Tips for Mold Cleanup
- Florida Division of Emergency Management Updates: floridadisaster.org/disaster-updates/storm-updates/
- Disaster Legal Hotline: 833-514-2940
