Disaster Assistance Program Hurricane Ian - DESOTO, FL

Overview

The State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Disaster Assistance program provides assistance for low-income households following a disaster. 

In response to Hurricane Ian, the DeSoto County Disaster Assistance Program is NOW ACCEPTING applications.  The process will close after disaster funds are encumbered.  SHIP disaster funds can be used to meet needs not covered by insurance and/or FEMA such as insurance deductibles for rehabilitation of homes covered under homeowners' insurance; temporary relocation assistance; interim emergency repairs to prevent further damage when no charitable organizations are available to perform the work for free; disaster loss of employment rent/mortgage payment assistance.

Program restrictions

  • Proof of US citizenship (or legal alien status) and full-time, permanent DeSoto County residency required
  • The subject property must be a primary permanent residence
  • Income eligibility restrictions apply; Gross household income < 120% of Area Median Income (AMI) adjusted for household size
  • Proof of insurance claim (renters or homeowners) and FEMA registration required; Insurance/FEMA benefit award letters required for payment
  • Maximum grant award up to $20,000.
  • No direct payments/reimbursement to the applicant; eligible payments direct to the insurance provider or qualified vendors only
  • Full application with proper identification and verification of income of all household members will be processed. 
  • A minimum of 1 in-person appointment may be necessary for the execution of documents, including notarization
  • Other restrictions may apply

 

SHIP INCOME LIMITS FOR DESOTO COUNTY

Application Process & Packet

At this time, online applications are not available.  The Disaster Assistance Application and associated documents can be printed from the links below or are available for pick-up during regular business hours at 201 East Oak Street, Suite #202, Arcadia, FL 34266

DeSoto Disaster Assistance Application
Duplication of Disaster Benefits Affidavit (*do not sign until your appointment and/or in the presence of a notary public)
Disaster Self-Certification of Income (*do not sign until your appointment and/or in the presence of a notary public)
Identity and Income Verification Documents Required:

  • Valid ID for all adults in the household 
  • Social Security cards for all household members
  • Proof of full-time primary residence (eg: homestead exemption; 12-month valid lease; etc.)
  • Proof of all household income: wage stubs; benefits letters; child support orders, retirement, pension; etc.

ATTENTION!
Email your completed application packet to disasterassistance@desotobocc.com 
(include "LAST NAME, FIRST INITIAL Disaster Assistance" in the subject line)

 

or

 

submit it in person at 201 East Oak Street, Suite #202, Arcadia, FL 34266 during regular business hours. 
Staff will DATE/TIME stamp upon receipt. 

 

Completed applications will be assigned to a Social Service Specialist to review the file, request any additional documents or information needed to process the file, and schedule an in-person appointment for finalization of the application if needed.  The case manager will provide a reasonable deadline for the remaining document/information submission, determined on a case-by-case basis.  APPLICATIONS NOT MEETING DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS BY THE ASSIGNED DEADLINE WILL BE DENIED. 

Award amount for approved applicants can not be determined until the insurance and/or FEMA claim is settled and a settlement letter is provided to the case manager.  Once submitted, a case decision letter will be provided with the award amount.  A copy of the department's appeals/grievance policy is provided with a case decision letter.  This process WILL take time and your patience is appreciated.

Payment to vendors can take 2-3 weeks from approval under normal circumstances.  Expect delays based on the volume of applications.

*Note, forms requiring notarization must either be notarized on-site (at no charge to the applicant) or originals of documents (notarized at alternate locations at the applicant’s expense) must be provided to be maintained with the file.

As a reminder, it is the applicant's responsibility to submit all required documentation in the requested timeframe.  Failure to do so will result in the denial of your application.  We appreciate your patience as we work through the high volume of requests for assistance.

For more information, call 863-993-4858 and an intake coordinator will assist you.