Important Deadlines Approaching for Hurricane Michael Survivors WKGC-FM Public Radio

There are several critical deadlines looming for Hurricane Michael survivors.

Application deadlines for the following programs are fast approaching:

Disaster Unemployment Assistance: Survivors in Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Taylor, Wakulla and Washington Counties have until December 7th.
The purpose of disaster unemployment assistance is to help workers whose primary incomes are lost or interrupted by Hurricane Michael.
It differs from regular state unemployment insurance because it provides benefits to people who are self-employed, farmers, loggers and employees who work on commission.

Even if you have insurance, you can apply for disaster assistance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but you may receive help after your claims have been settled. The deadline to apply for disaster assistance is Monday, Dec. 10.

Applying for disaster assistance is a two-step process. First, register for assistance, then submit your SBA disaster loan application. There is no charge to apply for the loan, and if approved, there is no obligation to accept it. The deadline to apply for SBA is Monday, Dec. 10.

Federal disaster aid does not affect other government benefits, such as Social Security and Medicaid, and the aid is not considered taxable income. Survivors must use the name that appears on their Social Security card and have insurance and disaster-damage information available at registration.

Help is available in most languages, and information on the registration process is available in ASL at https://www.fema.gov/resources-people-disabilities-access-functional-needs

You can register for assistance by any of these ways:

Log onto DisasterAssistance.gov
Call 800-621-3362. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTYmay call 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or VRS or require accommodations while visiting a center, call 800-621-3362. Toll-free numbers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visit a Disaster Recovery Center. To find the nearest center in Florida, visit egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator
For more information on Florida recovery, visit Florida State Disaster website floridadisaster.org