Question 1

2-1-1

Accepted Answer

Call 2-1-1 for essential services

Question 2

Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program

Accepted Answer

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has launched the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program offering low-interest or interest-free loans to agricultural and aquaculture producers who have experienced damage or loss from Hurricane Helene.

The deadline to apply has closed
Website: Check your application at the FDACS loan program page
Phone: (850) 617-7200

Question 3

Disaster Legal Hotline

Accepted Answer

Disaster Legal Hotline: 833-514-2940

Question 4

Fannie Mae

Accepted Answer

Fannie Mae offers free disaster recovery counseling services for homeowners and renters impacted by Hurricane Milton. The counselors are approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and can help residents navigate the recovery process weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST. Conversations are confidential and provided through nonprofit counseling partners in multiple languages. Services may include:

Recovery assessment and action plan
Assistance with online recovery forms and educational resources
Help with claims and denials (i.e. Insurance, FEMA, Small Business Administration)

Website: FannieMae.com/HERE2HELP

Phone: (855) HERE2HELP or (855) 437-3243

Question 5

Florida Division of Emergency Management Official Updates

Accepted Answer

<ul><li><a href="https://floridadisaster.org/disaster-updates/storm-updates/" target="_blank">FloridaDisaster.org - Hurricane Helene</a></li><li><a href="https://www.floridadisaster.org/disaster-updates/Hurricanemilton/" target="_blank">FloridaDisaster.org - Hurricane Milton</a></li><li>Residential Mitigation Grants<ul><li><a href="https://www.floridadisaster.org/dem/mitigation/hazard-mitigation-grant-program/" target="_blank">Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (Federal)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.floridadisaster.org/dem/mitigation/swift-current/" target="_blank">Swift Current Program (Federal)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.floridadisaster.org/dem/mitigation/residential-mitigation/" target="_blank">Elevate - Residential Mitigation (State)</a></li></ul></li></ul>

Question 6

Florida Price Gouging Hotline

Accepted Answer

Florida law prohibits excessive increases in the price of essential commodities during a storm-related declared state of emergency. This includes equipment, food, gasoline, hotel rooms, ice, lumber and water needed as a direct result of the event. Report suspected price gouging to the Florida Attorney General's Office by visiting the website or calling the phone number below

Website: MyFloridaLegal.com
Phone: (866) 966-7226 -Toll free

Question 7

Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County

Accepted Answer

Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County disaster recovery specialists are available to provide confidential, no-cost consulting to help affected businesses prepare disaster loan applications and with other post-disaster challenges. Florida SBDC disaster specialists work alongside SBA business loan specialists to provide information about available resources and assist businesses in completing state and federal disaster loan applications. The Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County can be reached weekdays from 8 AM to 5 PM.

Website: Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County
Phone: (813) 277-1393

Question 8

Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

Accepted Answer

The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program provides short-term, zero-interest working capital loans intended to “bridge the gap” between the time disaster strikes and when a business has secured longer-term recovery funding, such as loans, insurance claims, or other resources .

Short-term, personal loans are offered using State of Florida funds – they are not grants and must be repaid
Loans are available for up to $50,000 per eligible applicant
Website: Apply at Florida Commerce
Phone: (833) 832-4494 -Toll free
Email: EmergencyBridgeLoan@commerce.fl.gov

Question 9

Hope Florida

Accepted Answer

Hope Florida connects the private sector, nonprofits, and government entities to help Floridians after a disaster. The Activate Hope initiative connects Floridians with outside resources that provide food, household goods, home repairs, and more.

Question 10

Rebuild Florida

Accepted Answer

Hillsborough County homeowners whose homes sustained damage during Hurricane Ian in 2022 and whose homes were also impacted this year by Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton may be eligible for assistance under the Hurricane Ian Housing Repair and Replacement Program. The program is a partnership between Florida Commerce and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Website: Apply at Ian.RebuildFlorida.gov
More information: Contact RebuildFlorida
Phone: (800) 915-6803, 8 AM to 5 PM weekdays and 8 AM to 1 PM on Saturdays

Question 11

Rumor Control

Accepted Answer

Stay Informed and Help Stop Rumors in Florida

FEMA has created a Rumor Control page for Hurricane Helene and Mliton to help keep survivors safe and aware of rumors and scams. Please help us in amplifying official information from trusted sources and discouraging others from sharing information from unverified sources.

Website: Hurricane Rumor Response | FEMA.gov

Question 12

State Assistance Information Line (SAIL)

Accepted Answer

SAIL is a toll-free hotline activated during an emergency to provide an additional resource for those in Florida to receive accurate and up-to-date information. Information provided by SAIL hotline operators includes how to prepare before, during, and after a hurricane

Website: The State Assistance Information Line (SAIL)
Phone: (800) 342-3557 - Toll free

Question 13

Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) - FEMA

Accepted Answer

Temporary lodging for hurricane survivors

Website: FEMA - Transitional Sheltering Assistance Information

Question 14

Unemployment Assistance

Accepted Answer

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricanes Helene or Milton and are not eligible for regular state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits.

Website: FloridaJobs.org

Question 15

American Red Cross

Accepted Answer

After a disaster, the American Red Cross works with community partners to meet the urgent needs of people impacted. They focus on providing safe shelter, food, and emergency relief supplies like water, clean-up kits, tarps, shovels, and rakes. To find aid, visit the website, download the free Red Cross Emergency app to search for shelters, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

Website: American Red Cross
Phone: (800) 733-2767 - Toll free

Question 16

Bay Area Legal Services

Accepted Answer

This nonprofit legal aid organization provides services to residents in the Tampa Bay area. Services provided include free civil legal aid programs to disaster survivors with related issues. The hotline is available 24 hours a day.

Website: Bay Area Legal Services
Phone: (833) 514-2940 - Toll free

Question 17

Crisis Center of Tampa Bay

Accepted Answer

The Crisis Center offers many services to individuals and families. Residents can call 211, the 24/7 hotline number, or search 211atyourfingertips.org to generate a zip code search for resources.

Website: Crisis Center of Tampa Bay
Phone: (813) 964-1964 or call 211

Question 18

Crisis Cleanup

Accepted Answer

Crisis Cleanup: 844-965-1386

Question 19

Feeding Tampa Bay

Accepted Answer

For nutritional support and to find a food pantry in your area, select “Find Food” on the top of the Feeding Tampa Bay page.

Question 20

Metropolitan Ministries

Accepted Answer

Metropolitan Ministries has resources available for households that have been impacted by storms. Resident situations will be individually assessed, and the organization will offer services available to match the need. Offerings may include food, clothing, toiletries, furniture, and emergency housing as available.

Website: Metropolitan Ministries
Phone: (813) 209-1000

Question 21

Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay (RTTB)

Accepted Answer

RTTB's mission is to revitalize communities by repairing critically damaged homes and helping neighbors rebuild their lives. RTTB repairs homes damaged in disaster and provides affordable housing for residents. RTTB's priority is to provide those in need with safe, healthy, and affordable homes.

Website: Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay (RTTB)
Phone: (813) 878-9000

Question 22

Tampa Electric (TECO)

Accepted Answer

Bill relief programs.

Website: TECO
Phone: 1-877-588-1010

Question 23

Boricuas de Corazo

Accepted Answer

Disaster relief supplies (food, water, hygiene products, etc.)

Website: Boricuas de Corazon
Phone: (954) 496-1463

Question 24

Disaster Distress Helpline

Accepted Answer

24/7 emotional support for those affected by hurricanes

Website: CDC - Disaster Distress Helpline
Phone: (800) 985-5990

Question 25

Sun City Center Emergency Squad

Accepted Answer

Emergency medical transport and assistance

Website: Sun City Center Emergency Squad
Phone: (813) 634-3800

Question 26

Samaritan’s Purse – Hurricane Relief

Accepted Answer

Samaritan’s Purse is helping homeowners in Hillsborough County that were affected by the recent disaster. Volunteers may be able to assist you with the items listed below:

Removal of personal property and furniture
Flood cleanup
Sanitizing with shockwave treatment
Chainsaw work
Temporary roof tarping

This is a free service provided to those who have little or no insurance. Requests are handled depending on need and volunteer availability.

Website: Samaritan’s Purse
Phone: (833) 747-1234

Partner Resources - Hurricane Milton Recovery

Storm recovery resources from federal, state, local and other providers

Additional Partner Resources

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