Federal funding has come through for Florida residents following two of the most recent natural disasters that affected the state, Hurricane Hermine and Hurricane Matthew.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the State of Florida and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that they have given more than $7.3 million in disaster grants and loans to those affected by Hurricane Hermine.
FEMA distributed $4.8 million in grants for those in need of immediate assistance and the SBA distributed nearly $2.5 million in disaster loans for those in need of long-term rebuilding.
Those in need of assistance can apply online through FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone.
Gov. Scott’s office also announced Wednesday that Floridians who lost work because of Hurricane Matthew may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
The federal government approved Gov. Scott’s request for a major disaster declaration for Flagler, St. John’s, Volusia and Putnam counties. Gov. Scott is still trying to get this declaration for the remaining counties that were impacted by the storm.
This benefits individuals that may have lost their job, not been able to access their job, or those who were injured or had a death in the family that stopped them from working because of the hurricane.
Applicants must file a request for disaster benefits by Nov. 18, 2016. Applicants must be legal U.S. residents and must have been working in or residing in Flagler, St. John, Volusia and Putnam counties.
“I have spoken firsthand with many families and business owners who were impacted by Hurricane Matthew. We are committed to helping these communities fully recover from this devastating storm, and helping Floridians get back to work is one of the most important ways to do so,” Gov. Scott wrote in a press release.