Best Florida Resources for Storm Recovery

Published by Adjusterman LLC, a licensed Florida public adjusting firm. We don’t sell or earn commissions on anything listed here.

Updated September 23, 2026

After a hurricane, the help available to Florida property owners comes from a dozen places at once: the state emergency management agency, FEMA, the Department of Financial Services, the SBA, the flood program, nonprofits and county offices. Each does one job, and none of them replaces the others.

This list sorts the official resources by what they do for you, with the phone numbers and program limits taken from each agency’s own pages on 23 September 2026. Programs that only open after a disaster declaration are marked as such.

How we put this list together

We included only official government programs and established nonprofits that serve Florida property owners after a storm. For each one we loaded the agency’s own page and recorded what it says it does, who is eligible and how to reach it. We left out anything we could not verify on an official source, including helplines that are only posted during an active disaster.

The list

1. 1. Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM)

   Best for: Official state emergency information

   Website

   FloridaDisaster.org

   State Assistance Information Line (SAIL)

   1-800-342-3557, activated during emergencies

   FDEM is the state’s emergency management agency. Its Individual Assistance program coordinates help for individuals, households and businesses once the President signs a disaster declaration.

   The State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) is a toll-free hotline activated at the time of an emergency to give Floridians current information about the event, according to the Department of Financial Services’ recovery checklist.

   Consider this your first stop for road, shelter and re-entry information before you return to a damaged property.

   floridadisaster.org

2. 2. FEMA and DisasterAssistance.gov

   Best for: Federal help after a declared disaster

   FEMA Helpline

   1-800-621-3362 (7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, 7 days)

   TTY

   1-800-462-7585

   Apply

   Online, by phone or in the FEMA app

   When a federal disaster is declared for your county, FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program can provide funds for temporary housing, repair or replacement of an owner-occupied primary residence, and other uninsured or under-insured disaster expenses. FDEM advises that the first step is registering through FEMA’s toll-free line or online at DisasterAssistance.gov. Disaster Recovery Centers, staffed by federal, state, local and volunteer organizations, may open in declared counties.

   FEMA is direct about its limits: its household assistance “is not a substitute for insurance and cannot compensate for all losses caused by a disaster.” File with your insurer, keep the claim number and the decision letters, and have them ready when you apply.

   Consider applying even while your insurance claim is open if you have urgent housing or uninsured needs.

   disasterassistance.gov

3. 3. Florida DFS Division of Consumer Services

   Best for: Free help with insurance questions and complaints

   Insurance Consumer Helpline

   1-877-MY-FL-CFO (693-5236)

   Online

   Consumer Assistance Portal

   The Department of Financial Services’ Division of Consumer Services helps with insurance questions and concerns and can open a formal complaint through its online Consumer Assistance Portal. It also publishes disaster preparation and recovery checklists and FAQs on homeowners insurance and mediation.

   The helpline is also where you can confirm a public adjuster’s license or ask about a contract before you sign one. Florida law caps public adjuster fees; see what a public adjuster costs for the statutory limits.

   Consider requesting assistance if your insurer stops responding or you cannot get a clear answer on your claim.

   myfloridacfo.com

4. 4. DFS mediation and sinkhole neutral evaluation

   Best for: Settling a claim dispute without a lawsuit

   Residential mediation cost

   Insurer pays the $350 fee (unless you miss the conference)

   Minimum dispute

   $500 after the deductible

   Conference timing

   Within 21 days of mediator assignment

   Condo/HOA mediation

   Insurer pays, not to exceed $5,000

   Florida’s residential property mediation program lets you sit down with your insurer and a certified, neutral mediator over a disputed claim on a house, dwelling, mobile home or condominium. The dispute must be $500 or more after the deductible and be about the cause of damage or the amount offered. Mediation is non-binding, and if you settle you have three business days to rescind, as long as you have not cashed the check.

   Commercial residential mediation covers policies where a condominium, cooperative or homeowners’ association is the policyholder. Sinkhole disputes use a separate neutral evaluation program, which is mandatory if either side requests it. DFS lists what is not eligible: commercial lines policies, NFIP flood policies, liability coverages, claims already in litigation or appraisal, suspected fraud, and causes of loss not covered by the policy.

   Bring your policy, photos, estimates and specific dollar figures for every disputed item.

   Consider mediation when you and the insurer agree there is a covered loss but disagree on cause or amount.

   myfloridacfo.com

5. 5. SBA disaster loans

   Best for: Low-interest loans for losses insurance does not cover

   Primary residence

   Up to $500,000

   Personal property (owners and renters)

   Up to $100,000

   Businesses and most nonprofits

   Up to $2 million (physical damage)

   The Small Business Administration makes disaster loans to homeowners and renters as well as businesses, not only to small businesses. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to repair or replace a primary residence, and homeowners and renters may borrow up to $100,000 for personal property such as clothing, furniture, cars and appliances.

   The loans cover losses not fully covered by insurance or other sources, and insurance proceeds may be deducted from the eligible amount. Secondary homes and vacation properties are not eligible for the home loan, though qualified rental properties may qualify under the business physical disaster loan program.

   Consider if your insurance payment leaves a gap and you need to rebuild before the claim is fully resolved.

   sba.gov

6. 6. National Flood Insurance Program (FloodSmart.gov)

   Best for: Flood claims and appeals

   NFIP help line

   877-336-2627

   Appeal window

   60 days from the date of the claim decision letter

   Typical timing

   Four to eight weeks to finalize and pay, per FloodSmart

   The NFIP notes that most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. If you have a flood policy, report the loss to your flood insurance provider as soon as possible, photograph and video damaged property and belongings, and record make, model and serial numbers of appliances and electronics. When your adjuster arrives, FloodSmart suggests asking to see their Flood Control Number card.

   If you disagree with the decision, you have 60 days from the date of the letter to appeal directly to FEMA, with no fee and no need for representation. Note that DFS mediation does not cover NFIP policies. For flood specifics, see Florida flooding claims.

   Consider calling the NFIP line if you cannot identify which company services your flood policy.

   floodsmart.gov

7. 7. My Safe Florida Home

   Best for: Free wind-mitigation inspections and grants

   Inspection

   Free wind-mitigation inspection

   Grant

   Up to $10,000 state contribution; $1 from you for every $2 from the state

   Low-income applicants

   Up to $10,000 with no match required

   Key eligibility

   Owner-occupied, homesteaded, site-built; built before 1 Jan 2008; insured value $700,000 or less

   Established by statute within the Department of Financial Services, My Safe Florida Home provides free wind-mitigation inspections and matching grants for approved upgrades recommended by the inspection. Under s. 215.5586, Florida Statutes, grants are matched $1 from the homeowner for every $2 from the state, up to a $10,000 state contribution; low-income applicants as defined in state law may receive up to $10,000 without a match.

   To qualify for a grant, the home must be homesteaded, site-built and owner-occupied, have an insured value of $700,000 or less, have been built before 1 January 2008, and have had a program inspection within the prior 24 months. Work must be permitted and done by licensed contractors. Funding and application windows change, so check the program site for current status.

   Consider after repairs, when you are replacing a roof, windows or doors anyway and a mitigation upgrade could also earn insurance discounts.

   mysafeflhome.com

8. 8. License checks: DFS licensee search and DBPR

   Best for: Verifying adjusters and contractors before you sign

   Adjusters

   LicenseeSearch.FLDFS.com

   Contractors

   MyFloridaLicense.com (DBPR)

   Contractor insurance

   DFS Division of Workers’ Compensation

   Storms bring out unlicensed operators. DFS advises verifying any public adjuster on its licensee search, checking a contractor’s license with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation at MyFloridaLicense.com, and confirming contractors carry liability and workers’ compensation coverage through the DFS Division of Workers’ Compensation.

   For what to ask an adjuster, see the best public adjusters in Florida, which explains how to read a license record.

   Consider checking every license before anyone starts work or asks you to sign a contract.

   licenseesearch.fldfs.com

9. 9. 211

   Best for: Local help with housing, utilities and basic needs

   How to reach

   Dial 211

   Cost

   Free and confidential

   211 connects callers to local help, and every call is confidential. Its national site lists disaster recovery among the needs it handles and reports millions of referrals each year for housing, homelessness and utility bills. The 211.org site will route you to your local Florida 211 center, which knows the county-level resources national programs do not track.

   Consider calling when you need local, practical help faster than a federal program can move.

   211.org

10. 10. American Red Cross

    Best for: Shelter and emergency relief

    Phone

    1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767)

    App

    Emergency app with shelter map and NOAA alerts

    The Red Cross provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and preparedness education. Its free Emergency app sends official NOAA weather alerts and includes an interactive map of open Red Cross shelters and disaster service sites, in English and Spanish.

    Consider if your home is not safe to occupy and you need shelter while you arrange longer-term housing.

    redcross.org

11. 11. FloridaDisaster.biz

    Best for: Business owners

    What it is

    The State of Florida’s disaster portal for businesses

    Includes

    Business Damage Assessment Survey; links to bridge loans, SBA and Disaster Unemployment Assistance

    The state’s business portal carries current disaster updates, business re-entry procedures and a Business Damage Assessment Survey. Its recovery section links to the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan, SBA loans, Disaster Unemployment Assistance and related programs when they are activated.

    Commercial property and income losses have their own insurance issues; see business interruption claims.

    Consider completing the damage survey and checking the recovery section soon after a storm, since programs such as the bridge loan open only when activated.

    floridadisaster.biz

12. 12. Florida Disaster Fund and Volunteer Florida

    Best for: Nonprofit recovery support and case management

    Florida Disaster Fund

    The State of Florida’s official private fund for disaster response and recovery

    Administered through

    Volunteer Florida

    The Florida Disaster Fund is the state’s official private fund, supporting response and recovery activities in partnership with public, private and nongovernmental organizations. Volunteer Florida also coordinates disaster case management programs and publishes lists of case management providers for recent hurricanes, including Helene and Milton.

    Consider asking about disaster case management if you are juggling FEMA, SBA and insurance at once and need someone to help sequence it.

    volunteerflorida.org

13. 13. Fraud and price gouging hotlines

    Best for: Reporting scams after a storm

    DFS Fraud Hotline

    1-800-378-0445

    Attorney General Price Gouging Hotline

    1-866-966-7226

    DFS lists both numbers on its disaster recovery checklist. Report insurance fraud, including contractor fraud, to the DFS Fraud Hotline, and report price gouging on essentials to the Office of the Attorney General.

    Consider reporting anyone who pressures you to sign over your claim or pay large deposits upfront.

    myfloridacfo.com

How these resources fit around your insurance claim

• Insurance first. Report the claim to your insurer and to your flood carrier if you have one. Florida bars a claim unless notice reaches the insurer within 1 year after the date of loss, and a supplemental claim within 18 months.
• Then federal and state help for the gaps. FEMA and SBA are designed around what insurance does not pay, so they will ask about your claim.
• Disputes have a path. DFS mediation for residential and association property policies, neutral evaluation for sinkholes, and a FEMA appeal for NFIP decisions.
• Rebuild stronger. My Safe Florida Home and licensed contractors for the repairs.

When you want someone on your side of the claim

Government programs help with the gaps; the insurance claim is usually the largest source of money after a storm. A licensed public adjuster works for the policyholder, not the insurer, and a free claim review tells you whether you have covered damage worth pursuing. Adjusterman handles hurricane claims statewide. To compare firms, see the best hurricane claim public adjusters in Florida. For legal disputes or litigation, talk to an attorney.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

Sources

1. Florida Division of Emergency Management
2. FDEM, Individual Assistance Program
3. DisasterAssistance.gov
4. FEMA, Individuals and Households Program
5. Florida DFS, Division of Consumer Services
6. Florida DFS, Consumer Assistance Portal
7. Florida DFS, Mediation / Neutral Evaluation
8. Florida DFS, Mediation FAQ
9. Fla. Stat. s. 627.7015, Alternative procedure for resolution of disputed property insurance claims (2026)
10. Fla. Stat. s. 627.70132, Notice of property insurance claim (2026)
11. Florida DFS, Disaster Recovery Checklist
12. Florida DFS, Disaster Preparation Checklist
13. U.S. Small Business Administration, Disaster assistance
14. NFIP FloodSmart, home page
15. NFIP FloodSmart, Start a Claim
16. NFIP FloodSmart, Appeal a Claim
17. My Safe Florida Home
18. Fla. Stat. s. 215.5586, My Safe Florida Home Program (2026)
19. Fla. Stat. s. 626.854, Public adjusters (2026)
20. Florida DFS, Licensee Search
21. Florida DBPR, license verification
22. 211.org
23. American Red Cross, Disaster Relief and Recovery Services
24. American Red Cross Emergency app, App Store listing
25. FloridaDisaster.biz
26. Volunteer Florida, Florida Disaster Fund

Adjusterman LLC, FL DFS Public Adjusting Firm License #W913130 · Michael Klavan, FL DFS Public Adjuster License #P151443. Public adjusters do not provide legal advice.