Use FEMA Grants for Intended Purposes

FEMA reminds Florida residents who have received federal disaster assistance in response to the May 10 severe storms and tornadoes to use the money for its intended purpose and to keep receipts for three years.

Disaster assistance is intended to help you pay for basic necessities lost because of the May 10 severe storms and tornadoes. A letter explaining what the payment is to be used for arrives within a day or two of the check or direct deposit payment.

If you spend the grant on anything other than the purpose for which it is intended, you may be denied future disaster assistance. In some cases, FEMA may ask that the money be returned.

Be sure to document how you used your disaster funds and keep all receipts for at least three years. If you receive an insurance settlement to cover the same expenses, you must reimburse FEMA.

Survivors in Leon County with uninsured disaster-caused damages and losses can apply for FEMA disaster assistance by:

• Going online to DisasterAssistance.gov
• Downloading the FEMA App
• Calling the toll-free FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET. If you use a relay service such as VRS, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.

The deadline to apply is Aug. 19, 2024.

For the latest information about Florida's recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4794. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.