News Flash

Stay in Touch with FEMA

• Contact FEMA if you have any updates or changes to your application for disaster assistance, including access to your primary home, utility service and current location. Visit www.disasterassistance.gov/ or call 800-621-3362 to update your application.

Florida Launches Disaster Related Job Portal

• Florida launched a disaster recovery job portal where businesses can post, and individuals can find disaster related job openings. Visit http://disasterrecovery.employflorida.com.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

• Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to Florida residents in declared disaster areas whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a result of Hurricane Michael. Unemployment must fall between the dates of Oct. 14, 2018 and April 13, 2019. Applications are due Nov. 14, 2018. Find more information about application criteria at http://www.floridajobs.org

Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) Available for 12 Counties

• The Department of Children and Families, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has initiated the federal D-SNAP in 12 counties to assist disaster survivors in communities impacted by Hurricane Michael. Impacted families are strongly encouraged to pre-register. Visit the D-SNAP website for more information on pre-registration windows, site locations and hours of operation.

Disaster Fraud Hotline

• If you have been defrauded or suspect fraud, waste, abuse or mismanagement of disaster relief operations, call the Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. Your call is anonymous and confidential.

IRS Extends Tax Deadline for Residents of 16 Florida Counties

• The Internal Revenue Service extended certain deadlines for taxpayers who reside, or have a business in Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, Wakulla and Washington counties. Residents in these counties also may qualify for certain types of tax relief, including deducting personal property losses that are not covered by insurance or other reimbursements. Visit Tax Relief for Victims of Hurricane Michael in Florida for more information.

State, Local and Federal Health and Wellness Support

• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Disaster Distress Helpline is available to assist survivors coping with stress. To connect with a trained crisis counselor, call 800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 (for Spanish text Hablanos to 66746).
• The Department of Health and Human Services launched the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) for Hurricane Michael survivors who do not have health insurance in the State of Florida. EPAP covers prescription drugs, vaccines and other medical supplies damaged in the hurricane.
  • A list of more than 72,000 participating pharmacies where claims can be filled is available at the HHS website.
  • Survivors must bring one of the following to obtain a prescription: a new, written prescription from a licensed health care practitioner; a current prescription bottle; a prescription phoned in or electronically transmitted by a licensed health care practitioner; or proof of an existing prescription.
• All counties in the affected area have at least one open pharmacy. Two mobile pharmacies are available in Panama City. They can be found at the following locations:

• Heart to Heart International Disaster Response Medical Groups are providing free tetanus shots in Bay County. Visit: www.HearttoHeart.org/disasters-response.
• Florida County Health Departments provides free essential health services to Hurricane Michael survivors. Search for services provided in your area at FL County Health Departments.

State, Local, Voluntary and Other Resources

• DHSMV’s Florida Licensing on Wheels will be in Bay, Gulf, Jackson and Liberty counties this week to offer driver license and motor vehicle services. Check the schedule on the department’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
• Hurricane Michael survivors who cannot afford an attorney may call the Florida Bar Disaster Hotline at (866) 550-2929. Additional resources are online at https://www.floridabar.org/public/consumer/hurricaneinfo/.
• Airbnb is supporting the lodging needs of Hurricane Michael disaster survivors. Visit www.Airbnb.com/welcome/evacuees 
• Visit www.Floridadisaster.org/info/#pods to find where you can get food, water, find an open shelter and get other supplies. Other critical needs can be met by calling 2-1-1.
• Use the code MICHAELSHELTER to receive free UberX and UberXL trips to and from any official Red Cross Shelter in Florida until Oct. 31. Residents can travel for up to $25 per trip or up to five trips per user.
• Crisis Cleanup is an online database that helps people by coordinating free cleanups for disaster survivors. For information or assistance call 800-451-1954.