Responding to Hurricane Milton
We hope that you and your families find yourselves safe in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. United Way of Central Florida is up and mobilizing to serve the needs of Polk, Hardee and Highlands County. Staff members have been actively participating in the Polk Emergency Operations Center (EOC) calls and working closely with Hardee and Highlands EOCs. Our team has been connecting organizations with resources to pass out water, MRE kits, tarps, toiletry kits and essentials to those in need.
To aid community organizations facing an unprecedented demand on resources with Hurricane Milton, United Way of Central Florida and GiveWell Community Foundation have reopened the United Community Relief Fund.
The fund supports local nonprofit organizations serving those most vulnerable to the economic and health-related impacts triggered by a natural disaster. GiveWell Community Foundation and United Way of Central Florida will collaborate once again to raise critical dollars from individual donors, corporate partners and the community at large and work together to identify potential grant recipients and allocate funding.
If you are able and feel led, please consider sending a donation directly to help the recovery efforts from Hurricane Milton and it’s effects on the community we live and work in.
To donate to the United Community Relief Fund, visit unitedcommunityrelief.org.
Stay Safe,
Christina Criser Jackson
UWCF President & CEO
Find Help
For all emergencies, please dial 911.
For non-emergencies, 211 provides information about emergency information, natural disaster relief, available shelters, financial assistance and more. Dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 for resources available to you. This information and referral line is available 24/7 and in multiple languages.
For general county resources, FEMA assistance and national recovery services, click our link for our ‘Hurricane Resources’ page below.
After Hurricane Milton, both state and the federal government have resources available to help. it’s important to register for both.
1. Register for state assistance at Activate Hope:
https://hopeflorida.com/get-help/hurricanemilton.html
2. Register for federal assistance:
https://www.disasterassistance.gov/DAC-RI/location-search
3. Apply for Individual Assistance due to damages from Hurricane Milton.
Ways to apply:
🖥️ http://DisasterAssistance.gov
📱 Download the FEMA App
☎️ Call 1-800-621-3362
Watch for the latest information and daily updates at: https://www.floridadisaster.org/disaster-updates/Hurricanemilton/
Florida Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)
HOW DO I APPLY FOR D-SNAP?
Pre-registration is ONLY available for residents who were impacted by Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton and live in counties designated in each phase (View the Phase Schedule below).
• Verification is required for certain elements of the application.
• Eligibility can be determined more quickly and easily if a state driver’s license or identification number and a Social Security number is provided.
• Pre-registration will ONLY be open for counties listed below.
• Residents who are unable to pre-register online can visit one of the D-SNAP event locations in-person when they are open.
• When selecting the disaster on the pre-registration form, please select the most recent storm that impacted your household.
After an applicant completes the pre-registration process above, the applicant must complete an interview by calling the D-SNAP Call Center or attending an on-site event at a later date.
• Applicants may only call during designated dates and operating hours for their county.
• Phone interview times are designated based on the first letter of the applicant’s last name. (See Step-by-Step Guide for details-link above.)
• D-SNAP Call Center: (888) 348-0408, Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., ET
• Applicants must meet financial eligibility requirements
• Helene Applicants must report the household’s net income received from September 23, 2024 through October 22, 2024
• Helene Applicants must report all liquid household assets that were available on September 23, 2024, including cash on hand and money in checking and savings accounts.
• Milton Applicants must report the household’s net income received from October 5, 2024 through November 3, 2024
• Milton Applicants must report all liquid household assets that were available on October 5, 2024, including cash on hand and money in checking and savings accounts
Phase Schedule:
• PHASE TWO: Schedule by County
Counties: Charlotte, Hernando, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota
Pre-Registration Dates: Sunday, November 3 – Friday, November 8
Telephonic Dates: Monday, November 4, and Wednesday, November 6 – Friday, November 8
Onsite locations will be announced as they open
Operation Blue Roof Program:
Polk, Hardee and Highlands County residents can apply for free temporary roof tarping now through Tuesday, Nov 14. Visit blueroof.gov or call 1-888-766-3258. This program is a free service for homeowners and permanently occupied rental properties, providing fiber-reinforced, industrial-strength sheeting to protect storm-damaged roofs until homeowners can make permanent repairs.
Hardee County:
Hardee County Emergency Management phone lines are currently open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 863-773-6373.
Hope Florida:
Hope Florida is providing assistance with external resources such as food, household items, home repairs, and more, you can reach out to them directly at 833-GET-HOPE (438-4673).
Polk County Residential Debris Hotline:
This is the only number that will be able to provide answers for hurricane-related debris questions. The hotline will be active from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. is 833-843-1920. A debris removal dashboard with daily total debris collection is available on the Polk County website at www.polk-county.net, (Hurricane Milton Debris Removal Dashboard).
Give Help
The United Community Relief Fund, established by GiveWell Community Foundation and United Way of Central Florida, supports those most affected by a community crisis.
