Recovery from Hurricane Milton in Volusia, aided by various resources

There are many resources available to help people recover Hurricane Milton.

Many people think of the Federal Agency for Emergency Management when they think about hurricane relief, but other agencies are also providing assistance, said Volusia County spokesman Clayton Jackson.

“Ultimately, we are just trying to find available resources to help our residents recover because we understand that everyone could have been affected differently,” he said.

One way to make sense of it all is to use the Volusia Helps website or app, which provides up-to-date information on disaster relief and other community services. Go to vcservices.vcgov.org/VolusiaHelps for information. The app is available for Apple And Android devices.

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers open in Volusia

Volusia residents can get help applying for FEMA assistance at a Volusia County Disaster Recovery Center. Representatives from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Red Cross will be on hand to assist.

The first Disaster Recovery Center will be open daily from 9am to 7pm from November 12 through November 19 at the John H. Dickerson Community Center at 308 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in Daytona Beach. The second Disaster Recovery Center will be open daily from 9am to 7pm from November 21 to November 27 at The Center at Deltona at 1640 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd.

People can request help online via disasterrelief.govvia the FEMA mobile app or by calling 800-621-3362.

Small Business Administration disaster loans are available

Homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofits in Volusia County can apply for Small Business Administration disaster loans to help with losses from Hurricane Milton.

“These loans are intended to assist with the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged property, machinery, equipment, inventory and other assets,” the provincial government said. “Businesses and nonprofits of all sizes can qualify for loans up to $2 million.”

Small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, aquaculture operations and most private nonprofits can also apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans to “help cover working capital needs” even without having suffered property damage during the storm.

Applicants must submit their applications for physical property damage by December 10 and economic injury by July 11, 2025.

For more information, visit sba.gov/disastercall the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email [email protected].

Help pay your FHA-insured mortgage

Homeowners in Volusia County who have mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration may qualify for assistance if they are struggling to make payments due to Hurricane Milton.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development encourages people to contact their lenders to talk about what assistance is available, the county said. Possible options include delaying or halting foreclosure actions for up to 90 days and loan deferment plans.

People with any type of mortgage can get free foreclosure prevention advice through HUD. Call 800-569-4287 or use HUD’s online localization tool to find a consultancy firm.

For information, homeowners with an FHA-insured mortgage can call the FHA Resource Center at 800-304-9320.

Hurricane Recovery Grants available for small businesses

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is offering Small Business Hurricane Recovery Grants of $5,000 to businesses in Volusia County that suffered physical damage or economic loss from Hurricane Milton.

The money can be used to pay for things like rent, utilities, payroll, inventory and equipment. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on November 17. For information, visit uskamerfoundation.org and search for Hurricane Recovery Grants for small businesses.

Assistance is available in the event of loss of income

In Volusia County, disaster unemployment assistance is available for self-employed and self-employed people and businesses affected by Hurricane Milton. This is for people who do not qualify for federal or state welfare benefits. To get help, people must meet one of the following criteria:

As a direct result of the storm, they became unemployed.
They were supposed to enter service, but that did not happen as a direct result of the storm.
They cannot reach their work or self-employment location because they have to travel through an affected area and cannot do so as a direct result of the storm.
They became the main breadwinners because the head of the household died as a direct result of the storm.
They are unable to work due to an injury that was a direct result of the storm.

People must submit their claims by December 10. To file a claim, go to floridajobs.orgvisit a local CareerSource Center or call 800-385-3920.

Food assistance available in Volusia

People who are not yet receiving benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program may be eligible for assistance if they are affected by Hurricane Milton. There are financial eligibility limits and other criteria.

Volusia residents can pre-register at myflfamilies.com/dsnap between November 11 and November 15.

The Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is another resource. For information go to feedhopenow.org or call 386-257-4499.

Funding is available to repair private roads and bridges

Volusia residents can get help repairing and replacing private roads or bridges damaged by Hurricane Milton. Funding is available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

For information or to apply, go to disasterrelief.govuse the FEMA mobile app or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

Assistance is available for damage to wells or septic systems due to Hurricane Milton

People whose private well or septic system was damaged during Hurricane Milton could qualify for assistance from FEMA to pay for the repair or replacement of the system. FEMA can also reimburse people for the cost of an estimate from a certified technician to repair or replace the system.

For information, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Residents can apply for FEMA assistance online at disasterrelief.govby using the FEMA mobile app or calling the FEMA helpline.

Do the laundry and take a shower

People who want to do laundry, shower or go to the toilet have a refuge. They can use the 24-hour comfort station at 401 Stone Island Road in Enterprise. Two other comfort stations in Pierson and DeLand are closed due to low demand. Florida state and Volusia County officials launched the comfort stations.