Hurricanes Milton, Helene: Resources Available Now

ORLANDO, Fla. – Applications are being accepted for grant funding through the National Association of Realtors®’ (NAR) Realtors Relief Foundation and the Florida Realtors®’ Disaster Relief Fund assistance programs for victims of Hurricanes Milton and Helene.

The Realtors Relief Foundation (RRF) program is open to any Florida resident who sustained damages, while the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) is available to Realtors®, Realtor boards/associations and staff whose primary residential home or real estate office sustain damages due to the storm.

Click here to learn more (add blue button)  https://www.floridarealtors.org/about/charities/disaster-relief-fund

The RRF housing assistance grant is separate from the DRF assistance program but is administered by the Florida Realtors Disaster Relief Fund trustees. Florida Realtors members may apply for assistance from both. 

Realtors Relief Foundation assistance:

Click here to apply

Assistance through the RRF is available to qualified applicants for one of the following options: 

• Monthly mortgage expense for the primary residence that was damaged during Hurricane Helene and/or Hurricane Milton in September/October 2024; or
• Rental cost due to displacement from the primary residence resulting from Hurricane Helene and/or Hurricane Milton in September/October 2024.
• Submit only one application if you were impacted by Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene
• Maximum grant amount per household is $1,000.

RRF applications for Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton close April 2, 2025. Recipients must be full-time Florida residents and U.S. citizens or legally admitted for residence in the United States.

Disaster Relief Fund assistance:

Click here to apply for individual assistance

Click here to apply for business assistance

• Applicants must be a member of the Realtor® family prior to the disaster and whose primary residence or real estate office sustained serious physical and/or structural damage to include but not limited to water intrusion.

• Submit only one application if you were impacted by both Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene.

Applications should include:

• Color photos showing damage (digital preferred) and insurance summary page showing deductible and coverage information; and
• A written assessment from your insurance company and estimate to replace or repair damaged areas; include qualifying repair receipts to date and any additional information which may assist with describing your disaster and subsequent damage.
• Qualifying repair receipts to date and any additional information which may assist with describing your disaster and subsequent damage.

DRF applications for Hurricane Helene and/or Hurricane Milton close April 10, 2025. If you have trouble completing the forms, please contact the Tech Helpline at 407-587-1450, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET. You can also chat online with the Tech Helpline during those hours.

Other immediate needs, assistance for homes and businesses

• Disaster Unemployment Assistance: Florida residents who lost their job, can’t get to work, can’t work due to an injury, were going to start a job but can’t be due to the storm or if they are now the main household supporter because the previous one died may be eligible for DUA assistance. Applicants should be aware they will apply for regular unemployment assistance and then be denied that assistance. That denial will then trigger the application for DUA assistance. DUA is not yet available for Hurricane Milton but should become available in the near future. Click here to apply.
• Help with food, supplies, home repairs and more: Activate Hope connects the private sector, nonprofits and government to help Floridians get back on their feet following a natural disaster. Fill out the form here to get help.
• Muck outs, tree and debris removal and tarps: The Crisis Cleanup program connects residents with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and faith communities. Call (844) 965-1386. The hotline will remain open through Friday, October 25, 2024.
• Red Cross: The 24-hour hotline can connect individuals with free or reduced cost assistance. Call 1-800-Red Cross (1-800-733-2767) or click here.
• Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan: For short-term, zero-interest loans to “bridge the gap” between a disaster and when a business has secured longer term recovery funding. Click here for more information.  Call 833-832-4494 or email EmergencyBridgeLoan@commerce.fl.gov with questions.
• Small Business Association disaster loans: Federal assistance is available for all businesses, homeowners, renters and private nonprofits located in declared disaster areas. SBA disaster loans can be used for personal and business losses not covered by insurance or funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and business operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred. Click here for more information.
• Affordable rentals: Visit www.FloridaHousingSearch.org or call 1-877-428-8844 for information about affordable rental properties. The site is continually updated with accurate listings.
• State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program: Temporary relocation, rental assistance, debris removal and/or home repairs are available through SHIP programs administered through local governments. Click here for more information.
• Free WiFi: Comcast and Spectrum announced free public Wi-Fi access points across Florida. For more information visit Finder.wifi.xfinity.com or Spectrum Out-of-Home WiFi Map.

Insurance claims to date

As of Friday (Oct. 11), the total estimated insured losses in Florida for Hurricane Milton were $586,465,025. Of the 43,897 claims so far, 38,032 are for residential property damage. The number of claims and estimated losses are expected to increase in the coming weeks. For now:

• Claims under private flood insurance policies: 66 (most flood policies are through FEMA’s Flood Insurance Program, not private)
• Claims closed with payments to policyholders: 39
• Claims closed without payments to policyholders: 18
• Commercial property claims: 301
• Percent of claims closed: 1.5%

 As of Friday (Oct. 11), the total estimated insured losses in Florida for Hurricane Helene were $1,197,629,809. Of the 119,489 claims so far, 51,529 are for residential property damage. The number of claims and estimated losses are expected to increase in the coming weeks. For now:

• Claims under private flood insurance policies: 3,534 (most flood policies are through FEMA’s Flood Insurance Program, not private)
• Claims closed with payments to policyholders: 14,981
• Claims closed without payments to policyholders: 12,112
• Commercial property claims: 2,530
• Percent of claims closed: 22.7%

Other disaster relief available

The DRF is also continuing to accept applications for other severe weather events:

• Hurricane Debby on August 5, 2024; applications close February 5, 2025.
• Flash flooding in South Florida on June 11, 2024; applications close December 12, 2024.
• Tornado events in North Florida on May 10, 2024; applications close November 11, 2024.

Those interested in helping disaster victims can donate to the DRF securely online. If you prefer to mail in a tax-deductible donation, make your check payable to “Florida Realtors Disaster Fund, attention Dave Garrison,” and send the check to:

Florida Realtors Disaster Relief Fund

PO Box 725025

Orlando, FL 32872-5025

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