Nov. 21, 2022 

DR-4673-FL NR-060 

State News Desk: media@em.myflorida.com 

FEMA News Desk: 813-381-3241 |FEMA-DR-4673-FL-NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov 

News Release 

FEMA Extends Deadline to Apply for Hurricane Ian Federal Disaster Assistance to Jan. 12 

BRANDON, Fla. –  At the request of the State of Florida, Hurricane Ian survivors who suffered damage to their property have additional time to apply for federal disaster assistance. 

FEMA has extended the application deadline to Jan. 12, 2023, for survivors in Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia counties. 

There are multiple Disaster Recovery Centers operating throughout the impacted area. To find a center close to you, go online to: DRC Locator or floridadisaster.org, or text DRC along with your Zip Code to 43362. 

It is not necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply. Survivors can go online to disasterassistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call 800-621-3362. The line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube. 

If you have insurance, you are encouraged to file a claim for damage to your home, personal property and vehicles before you apply for FEMA assistance. FEMA cannot duplicate other sources of assistance you may have received. 

For the latest information on Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Ian, visit floridadisaster.org/info and 

fema.gov/disaster/4673. Follow FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) / Twitter and at facebook.com/fema. 

Unite Florida Portal and cleanup assistance launched for Lee County residents who may be in need of resources post hurricane.

• Gov. DeSanits announced on Monday the “Unite Florida Portal” for state sheltering and housing assistance. People must be registered with FEMA for individual assistance at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/. The deadline was just extended to January 12 but this new portal is a way to connect residents with additional resources. The portal is at: https://ianrecovery.fl.gov/ and the news release about the portal can be found here: https://www.flgov.com/2022/11/21/governor-ron-desantis-announces-unite-florida-portal-for-state-sheltering-and-housing-assistance/
• The state launched while ago https://iandebriscleanup.com/ to help with property cleanup, be it a vessel or mobile home, or commercial or private property. The state has added resources to this landing page, including a fact sheet that clarifies how residents can use this site to connect with resources. View the new fact sheet here: https://iandebriscleanup.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/FDEM_Info-Sheet_11.15.22.pdf

The state is looking to increase local participation in both of these programs.