(Brooksville, FL) – Hernando County continues to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Idalia. Those who were affect by the collateral damage of Idalia have until November 29, 2023, to register for FEMA Individual Assistance (IA). Hernando County’s FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) remains open at the Spring Hill Library, located at 9222 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill, FL, 34604. According to Hernando County’s Emergency Management Director, David DeCarlo, those who registered for FEMA IA are receiving letters stating that they are not eligible. “That is not necessarily the case” said DeCarlo. He continued, “If you applied for FEMA assistance and received an ineligibility letter from FEMA, the letter will explain your application status and how to respond. Read the letter carefully. You might need to provide more information to FEMA, such as further documentation or insurance papers. It will also explain how you can appeal the decision. If you were denied, please visit our FEMA DRC site at the Spring Hill Library where FEMA representatives can fully explain and answer your questions. This is why they are here; to assist you to become eligible.” The FEMA DRC site is open Monday – Saturday, 9am – 6pm.
If you have not yet applied for FEMA Individual Assistance, you still have time. Call toll-free 800-621-3362, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA App for mobile devices or visit a Disaster Recovery Center. The telephone line is open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service such as VRS, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. To view an accessible video on how to apply visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance – YouTube. The deadline to apply is November 29, 2023.