Dear Floridians, 

Hurricane Irma was one of the most powerful storms ever recorded, prompting one of the largest evacuations in U.S. history. 

This massive storm affected every part of our state. And as we now begin the process of cleaning up and rebuilding, I encourage every Floridian affected by this storm to apply for assistance with FEMA as soon as possible. You may be eligible for financial help or even direct assistance for things such as: clean-up, temporary housing, medical, moving expenses and more. 

If you’re eligible, it’s important that you get your FEMA claim in as soon as possible, without delay

To apply for FEMA assistance visit: www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) TTY: 1-800-462-7585. 

Please take a few minutes to review the information provided below. You may be eligible for other temporary assistance and benefits. 

As I travel around our state, I am heartened by the stories I am hearing over and over again of Floridians helping Floridians. And I encourage you to share this information with your friends and neighbors as we work together to rebuild our state. 

If you need any additional help, please don’t hesitate to contact our office by e-mail at: IrmaAssistance@billnelson.senate.gov, by phone toll free in Florida at 1-888-671-4091, or by stopping by one of our regional offices listed below. 

 
Sincerely, 
 


EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
If you need emergency help call 9-1-1. 

HELP FOR SENIORS
If you know of a senior who needs assistance call 9-1-1 and contact the Florida Department of Elder Affairs hotline at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337). To report elder abuse, call 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873). 

BASIC SUPPLIES
If you need supplies, such as food, water, or ice, please contact your county emergency management at: http://www.floridadisaster.org/fl_county_em.asp or by phone at (850) 815-4001 for the location of the nearest distribution center. Your county emergency management can provide up–to-date information about shelters and local distribution centers for food and supplies. 

FEMA ASSISTANCE
Floridians affected by Hurricane Irma should apply for assistance with FEMA as soon as their county is granted Individual Assistance. Financial help and direct services may be available from FEMA for clean-up, temporary housing, medical, moving expenses, and more.

To apply visit: www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) TTY: 1-800-462-7585. For a list of counties approved for Individual Assistance visit: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4337#

HELP FOR VETERANS
Veterans needing assistance or medication can contact the Veteran Disaster Hotline at 1-800-507-4571 or go to any VA medical facility for assistance. 

DIALYSIS
To find a dialysis center in your area visit: http://www.dialysisunits.com/. Patients of DaVita Dialysis may contact 1-800-400-8331 to find the nearest Dialysis Center. 

MENTAL HEALTH
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress please call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained counselor. You may also visit: http://bit.ly/2vH2Huc for more information about managing stress after a disaster and talking with children about traumatic events. 

TAX RELIEF
Floridians in counties granted Individual Assistance may be eligible for tax relief from the IRS. To learn more about IRS assistance for victims of Hurricane Irma visit: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/help-for-victims-of-hurricane-irma

DISASTER RECOVERY LOANS
The U.S. Small Business Administration is providing various disaster loans to qualifying Floridians in several counties. For more information about SBA disaster loans visit: https://www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/hurricane-irma

The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides loans and assistance to qualifying individuals, businesses, and communities after disasters. For more information visit: https://www.usda.gov/topics/disaster/storms, or contact the USDA office in Florida at: (352) 338-3400. 

DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
Floridians who are unemployed as a result of the disaster are encouraged to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) through the U.S. Department of Labor. For additional information about DUA visit: https://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/disaster.asp or contact the U.S. Department of Labor by phone at 1-866-487-2365. 

MORTGAGE RELIEF
To find out if you qualify for temporary mortgage relief such as a suspension of mortgage payments for up to 12 months, or suspension of late fees, visit the Freddie Mac website at: http://www.freddiemac.com/about/hurricane-relief.html. For additional information visit the Fannie Mae website at: http://www.fanniemae.com/portal/about-fm/hurricane-relief.html or by phone at 1-800-2FANNIE (800-232-6643). 

HURRICANE RESPONSE HIRING
The U.S. Small Business Administration is hiring a variety of temporary positions located throughout Florida now through December 31, 2017. For more information visit: https://www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/hurricane-response-jobs-sba#section-header-4 

ADDITION ASSISTANCE
For in-person assistance with storm related questions, or to apply for benefits you may visit your local FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. For a list of Centers in your area visit: http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm 

BILL NELSON OFFICES IN FLORIDA 

Broward 
3416 South University Drive 
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328 
Phone: 954-693-4851

Ft. Myers 
2000 Main Street 
Suite 801 
Fort Myers, FL 33901 
Phone: 239-334-7760 

Jacksonville 
1301 Riverplace Blvd. 
Suite 2010 
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone: 904-346-4500 

Miami-Dade 
2555 Ponce De Leon Boulevard 
Suite 610 
Coral Gables, FL 33134 
Phone: 305-536-5999 

Orlando 
225 East Robinson Street 
Suite 410 
Orlando, FL 32801 
Phone: 407-872-7161 

Tallahassee 
111 North Adams Street 
Tallahassee, FL 32301 
Phone: 850-942-8415 

Tampa 
801 N. Florida Ave. 
4th Floor 
Tampa, FL 33602 
Phone: 813-225-7040 

West Palm Beach 
413 Clematis Street 
Suite 210 
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: 561-514-0189
 
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