The designated counties include Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, Indian River, Brevard and Okeechobee counties. The Individual 
Assistance designation will enable constituents to apply for financial assistance to help cover the costs of temporary housing and lodging, disaster-caused home repairs and construction, as well as a number of other immediate needs caused by Hurricane Irma.
The following can be provided through the Individuals and Households Program:
Housing Needs
Temporary Housing (a place to live for a limited period of time): Financial assistance may be available to homeowners or renters to rent a temporary place to live. If no rental properties are available, a government housing unit may be provided, but only as a last resort.
Lodging Expenses Reimbursement: Reimbursement of hotel expenses for homeowners or renters may be available for short periods of time due to inaccessibility or utility outage, if not covered by insurance or any other program.
Repair: Financial assistance may be available to homeowners to repair disaster-caused damage to their primary residence that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to make the damaged home safe, sanitary, or fit to occupy.
Replacement: Financial assistance may be available to homeowners to replace their home destroyed in the disaster that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to help the homeowner with the cost of replacing their destroyed home.
Permanent or Semi-Permanent Housing Construction: Direct assistance or money for the construction of a home. This type of help occurs only in insular areas or other locations specified by FEMA, where no other type of housing assistance is possible.
Assistance is available for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster including:
- Disaster-caused child care expenses.
- Disaster-caused medical and dental expenses.
- Disaster-caused funeral and burial expenses.
- Disaster-caused damages to essential household items (room furnishings, appliances); clothing; tools (specialized or protective clothing and equipment) required for your job; necessary educational materials (computers, school books, supplies).
- Fuel for the primary heat source (heating oil, gas).
- Clean-up items (wet/dry vacuum, dehumidifier).
- Disaster-caused damage to an essential vehicle.
- Moving and storage expenses caused by the disaster (moving and storage of personal property while repairs are being made to the primary residence, and returning property to the primary address).
- Other necessary expenses or serious needs as determined by FEMA.
- Other expenses that are authorized by law.
For additional information visit: https://www.fema.gov/individual-disaster-assistance.
