Disaster relief programs are available for Pinellas County citizens and businesses affected by Hurricanes Jeanne, Frances and Charley.  The President has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Florida and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by Hurricane Jeanne, including Pinellas County. Assistance may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.  Affected individuals and business owners who sustained losses can begin applying for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).  More information regarding the application process can be found at www.fema.gov/about/process/.

Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans are available to qualified business owners who suffered losses due to the hurricane disasters.  All storm victims can receive emergency aid, but long-term help is based on the SBA application.  Applicants may call the SBA Helpline at
1-800-359-2227 or visit the website at www.sba.gov/disaster_recov/hurricane.html for more information.

Individuals who have lost jobs or businesses as a result of Hurricane Frances or Jeanne may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Applications for DUA compensation may be filed at www.fluidnow.com or by calling 1-800-204-2418. Please indicate that this is a disaster related unemployment claim.  For more information visit www.floridajobs.org/resources/emergency/UC_info.htm. 

Additional information and fact sheets regarding financial assistance for disaster recovery can be found at http://www.floridajobs.org/awi_emergency2.htm. 

For the latest updates on storm recovery from Pinellas County, please visit www.pinellascounty.org/bulletin/.  

Phone Numbers for Information and Assistance

Pinellas Business Development Center........ (727) 453-7200

FEMA ....................................................(800) 621-FEMA

Florida Disaster Emergency Hotline ........... (800) 342-3557

Hurricane Donations ................................. (800) 825-3786

Progress Energy’s Outage Reporting .......... (800) 228-8485

Red Cross ............................................... (407) 894-4141

Report Insurance Fraud ..............................(800) 342-2762

Report Price Gouging ..............................(800) HELP-FLA

Small Business Administration Helpline....... (800) 359-2227

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