May 8, 2023

2023 Broward Flooding: What Disaster Assistance is Available?

**Note: This document is based on information available as of the date of publication. FPI will update this page as new policies are announced.**

Floridians in Broward County experienced record-breaking flooding beginning April 12, 2023, and lasting through April 14, 2023, resulting in home, business, property, and infrastructure damage. To aid the county in response and recovery, Gov. Ron DeSantis requested that President Joe Biden issue a major disaster declaration for Broward to deploy federal assistance to affected households. Biden approved this request on April 27, 2023.

What federal assistance may be available?

Some of the federal programs that could become available to affected people in Broward County include, but are not limited to, FEMA housing-related assistance (called Individual Assistance), Disaster Unemployment Assistance, and Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

FEMA Assistance

FEMA is providing Individual Assistance to people in Broward County to help with temporary lodging and home repairs, as well as other disaster-related expenses. 

Broward residents can apply for FEMA assistance for the 2023 flooding online at DisasterAssistance.gov, through the FEMA mobile app, or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362.  The helpline is available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST. In addition, FEMA outreach team — called Disaster Survivor Assistance crews — are canvassing door-to-door to assist survivors with their FEMA applications and other needs.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) provides unemployment assistance to people whose employment or self-employment has been impacted by the April 2023 flooding if they are not eligible for regular Unemployment Insurance.

Eligible workers include, but are not limited to, people who are self-employed, gig and part-time workers, and workers who have already exhausted or are ineligible for regular Reemployment Assistance. Generally, citizens and immigrants who have work authorization can collect DUA. More detailed eligibility criteria can be found here.

Applicants must file for state Reemployment Assistance benefits first, before filing for DUA.
Applicants should note whether their work has been impacted by the disaster. If applicants are determined ineligible for Reemployment Assistance, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity will automatically prompt them to file a DUA application if they say that their job was impacted by the disaster. DUA is available for weeks of unemployment beginning April 16, 2023, until October 28. 2023­­­­­­­­­­­.

The link to apply for DUA can be found here, or applicants can call 1-800-385-3920 to speak with a representative at Florida’s Disaster Unemployment Assistance Customer Service Center from 7:30 a.m. to 6: 30 p.m. EST.  DUA applications must be submitted by May 31, 2023.

Disaster Distress Helpline

A Disaster Distress Helpline is available to provide Floridians with crisis counseling and emotional support related to the flooding. The number is 800-985-5990.

Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) provides food assistance to households with significant disaster-related expenses who are not eligible for regular SNAP. D-SNAP does not look at citizenship status, impose a work requirement, or preclude college students from participating. The Department of Children and Families has not yet announced whether it will roll out D-SNAP for Floridians affected by the Broward flooding.

Department of Elder Affairs

Seniors in need of services may call the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County Helpline at 954-745-9779.

Department of Health

The Florida Department of Health - Broward in partnership with the City of Fort Lauderdale will start offering Tetanus vaccinations to support those at-risk from exposure to contaminated waters and with open wounds.   

Clean Up

The following resources may be able to assist with clean up related to the flood:

  • Florida Conference Disaster Recovery Hotline: May be able to assist with clean up, as well as provide tarps and help with removal of debris. The number is 855-CAT-FUMC.
  • Florida Baptist Disaster Relief: Request help online through this link.
  • Samaritan’s Purse: May be able to assist with clean up and sanitizing to help remediate mold. The number is 561-873-1718.
  • Mosquito Spraying: Request help through this link or call 311.

Price Gouging

Florida’s Attorney General has activated Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline for residents to report businesses that are charging unfair or unreasonable prices due to high demand related to the flooding. The number is 866-966-7266.

Misc.

Broward County’s Family Success Administration Division (FSAD) provides assistance to prevent homelessness, foreclosure, eviction, and loss of utilities, as well as assistance with transportation, child care, employment, and tuition. The address and phone number of Family Success Centers is linked here.

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