Tampa Bay FEMA Application Tips and How to Support Helene Victims Locally

The Tampa Bay area is stepping up in a big way. Every time you scroll through social media, it’s filled with businesses offering free meals, donation sites, and volunteer opportunities to help Hurricane Helene victims.

Before we highlight a few of the latest Good Samaritans in our community, let’s start with some essential advice for FEMA applicants:

Advice for FEMA Applicants

If your home was damaged, you can apply for FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. This is how the federal government provides direct financial aid to disaster victims.

FEMA also partners with the US Small Business Administration (SBA) to offer low-interest loans to businesses. Pro tip: The SBA also offers help for non-business owners who sustained property damage.

When applying for financial assistance, you’ll need certain documentation, including proof of citizenship, residency, and evidence of damage (think: photos and videos). You can submit this documentation online or at a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. In Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, the only center is in Riverview’s Hillsborough Community College at the Regent (6437 Watson Rd.).

Another pro tip: You don’t have to be a homeowner to apply for FEMA assistance. Eligible renters could receive reimbursements for damaged property, paid temporary living arrangements, and grants for bills and utilities.

For more help with your application, you can call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

Additional Community Resources

We’ve already shared numerous ways to help your neighbors impacted by Hurricane Helene, but the support from our community continues to pour in. Here are some more ways you can make a difference:

• Gulfport’s Let It Be Ice Cream is raising funds after being “destroyed and completely flooded out.” The parlor’s GoFundMe description reads, “we lost everything inside.”
• Tampa Bay-based nonprofit Daystar Life Center is seeking donations and volunteers at various St. Pete locations. High-priority items include bug spray, meals, hygiene products, and plastic totes.
• Pinellas County has opened donation sites, looking for essentials like diapers (for babies and adults), baby formula, work gloves, hand tools, flashlights, batteries, and cleaning supplies.
• Several sites are accepting kids’ clothing donations across TBAY, including South Tampa’s Butter Bug Boutique and Clothes to Kids in Clearwater.
• Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful is facilitating volunteer opportunities. If you want to help, you can sign up with their form. If you need a volunteer, the same form works. KTBB is prioritizing support for the elderly and vulnerable as the cleanup continues.
• The Hurricane Helene Cleanup Hotline is open and ready for your calls. Dial 844-965-1386 to connect with local volunteers.
• 3 Daughters Brewing has opened its doors for donations, as well as for those seeking comfort, supplies, relief, or support from the community.
• 1828 Goods in Tampa Bay is selling special edition hats, t-shirts, and water bottles, with all profits going toward Helene victims.
• Indian Rocks Beach Trash Tribe, a nonprofit conservation group, has an Amazon wishlist with items to support the ongoing relief efforts along the Pinellas barrier islands.
• In South Tampa, the boutique Procure is collecting donations at 2832 S. MacDill Ave. through the end of October. Bring in items like paper towels, wipes, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, trash bags, and hygiene products.
• Nearby, Laurel and Jack (4129 S. MacDill Ave.) is also a donation and pickup site for household items, clothing, and small furniture. Sorting and delivery volunteers are in demand.

If you know of additional resources, businesses, or GoFundMe fundraisers in the community, please send them to us.

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