County residents awarded significant FEMA assistance after Hurricane Debby
Press release from Alachua County
ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Alachua County Emergency Management is pleased to report that approximately 3,000 households and businesses have already applied for and been approved for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following Hurricane Debby.
As of Wednesday, over $1.7 million in financial support has been awarded to residents and business owners.
To facilitate recovery efforts, the county’s Disaster Recovery Center remains open at the Millhopper Library (3145 NW 43rd St., Gainesville) until Oct. 9. The center is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Saturday, the center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed Sunday.
The center’s services include:
- Learn about disaster assistance programs
- Apply for disaster assistance
- Check the status of your FEMA application
- Get help understanding FEMA notices or letters
- Get referrals to agencies that offer other assistance
- Assistance in applying for low-interest loans
In addition to FEMA and the Small Business Administration, Alachua County Community Support Services staff will be on-site each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to assist those needing State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) disaster assistance. A FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Team is also actively canvassing the county to help residents apply for assistance.
I got FEMA assistance back in 2008 during Hurricane Frances. Agents were at Home Depot helping people sign up. I was told that I was eligible for homeowners deductible help. So I got $3500, and very grateful, until 2 years later I got a demand letter to pay it back. I was shocked as the agent never told me that it was a temporary loan.
Never again!
You can go to the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center mentioned above and make sure that you thoroughly understand the details before you sign up. If you have a need, we hope you’ll investigate.
Make sure you ask FEMA Hurricane Assistance Employees for a Coupon Payment Booklet and Loan Contract and Paperwork. You are applying for a “LOAN” !! Which FEMA has full intentions of collecting. Even if they have to start Foreclosure Proceeding on your Home!! Good Luck to Ya
The only thing free in Life is the Air you Breathe!! At least for now it’s still free!!