Continuing to Recover from Hurricane Ian

Dear friends and neighbors,

We are thrilled to announce that Orange, Osceola, and Polk Counties have been approved for the Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program to provide short-term lodging assistance for victims of the storm. For long-term solutions, we have asked FEMA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to consider activating the Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP).

Currently, individuals in Orange, Osceola, and Polk Counties can apply for FEMA Individual Assistance for home repairs, lost and damaged property, food assistance, and more.

This week, the Major Disaster Declaration issued on September 29, 2022, was amended to include permanent work for Polk County (Categories C—G). In addition to Individual Assistance and assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures, the county will be eligible for permanent repair to roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities, parks, recreational areas, and more. We are thrilled about this development and have asked President Joe Biden to favorably consider bringing this much-needed assistance to all counties that need it, including Orange and Osceola Counties.

Also this week, I had the opportunity to visit several small businesses that were affected by Hurricane Ian. We are working with FEMA and the Small Business Administration to help them recover. Below, you will find resources on applying for loans.

Finally, we are incredibly grateful for our first responders, who have worked tirelessly to keep our community members safe. As always, please know that my office is also here to serve you during this time.

Click here for more information on filing a claim with FEMA

Click here for a more comprehensive list of hurricane resources available

Federal Resources for Affected Individuals

Last week, President Joe Biden approved Individual Assistance for all counties in Florida's Ninth Congressional District: Orange, Osceola, and Polk. As a result, affected families can now file claims if they need home repairs or have other damaged property.

We are thrilled to announce that all three counties have been approved for the Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program to provide short-term lodging assistance for victims of the storm. For long-term solutions, we have asked FEMA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to consider activating the Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP).

Visit DisasterAssistance.gov for more information or call 1-800-621-3362

Assistance for Small Businesses

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has established facilities to provide business owners, nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters with answers to their questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process, and help each person complete their electronic loan application. These facilities can be either virtual or brick-and-mortar, depending on the circumstances surrounding the disaster and other factors. Individuals should apply under SBA declaration # 17644.

Apply through your DisasterAssistance.gov account

Additionally, Florida has made $50 million available through the Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. The loans will be administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and provide short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to Hurricane Ian.

Visit www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL to learn more about the program, as well as to view the lending guidelines and required documentation, and complete an application.
Business owners who need further program information may call 833-832-4494 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
Applications are due on December 2, 2022.

Resources for Constituents Without Power

If constituents are experiencing long-term power outages, they should look into the Low-Income Home Energy Assistant Program (LIHEAP) in addition to applying for Individual Assistance. The state of Florida released $1.4 million in LIHEAP set-aside emergency funding for use by LIHEAP providers across the state.

Food and Nutrition Assistance

HOT FOOD UPDATE: Residents of Osceola, Orange, and Polk Counties can now use SNAP to purchase hot foods until the end of the month. SNAP-authorized retailers may accept SNAP benefits in exchange for hot foods and foods intended to be consumed on retailer premises.

D-SNAP UPDATE: USDA has approved Disaster-SNAP benefits for Hurricane Ian survivors in Orange, Osceola, and Polk Counties. Details will soon be available at https://www.myflfamilies.com/hurricaneian/.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has approved the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) request to waive the SNAP regulations which require that SNAP households receive their benefits on or about the same date each month. In preparation for Hurricane Ian’s landfall, DCF requested early issuance of October 1, 2022, through October 14, 2022 SNAP benefits to all SNAP households within Florida’s 67 counties. The state agency estimated the active SNAP household affected population as approximately 773,579.

On Thursday, FNS approved the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) request for the following waivers:

During school closures when classes are not being offered, Program operators in Florida may serve meals through the Summer Food Service Program or National School Lunch (NSLP) Seamless Summer Option in a non-congregate setting, adjust the time of meal service, allow parent pick-up, and serve meals at school sites. Additionally, when school buildings are closed but classes are being offered virtually, school food authorities may serve NSLP and School Breakfast Program (SBP) meals in a non-congregate setting, adjust the time of meal service, and allow parent pick-up. During periods of virtual schooling, senior high schools are also not required to use offer versus serve at lunch when meal service is impacted by Hurricane Ian. Similar waivers were provided for the Special Milk Program and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.

Child and Adult Care Food Program institutions and sponsoring organizations in Florida may serve meals in a non-congregate setting.

Public Assistance for Central Florida

The Major Disaster Declaration issued on September 29, 2022, was amended to include permanent work for Polk County (Categories C—G). In addition to Individual Assistance and assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures, the county will be eligible for permanent repair to roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities, parks, recreational areas, and more. We are thrilled about this development and have asked President Joe Biden to favorably consider bringing this much-needed assistance to all counties that need it, including Orange and Osceola Counties.

Team Soto's Efforts to Help FL-9

Urging FEMA and HUD to Approve Additional Housing Assistance

As we continue recovery efforts, I sent a letter to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge encouraging them to approve the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) Program and activate the Disaster Housing Assistance (DHAP) Program.

Today, we are thrilled to announce that the program was approved for all three counties in our district: Orange, Osceola, and Polk.

Encouraging Amendments to the Major Disaster Declaration

We are thrilled about the amendment to the Major Disaster Declaration including permanent work for Polk County (Categories C—G). As Florida continues to recover, I led a letter asking President Biden to favorably consider bringing this much-needed assistance to all counties that need it, including Orange and Osceola Counties.

Visiting Small Businesses in the District

Commissioner Janette Martinez and I visited businesses affected by Hurricane Ian flooding in Kissimmee.

First, we visited Urban Appeal, a local clothing store that received more than two feet of flooding and lost $250,000+ in damaged inventory. Owner Mohammed showed us the water damage and lost inventory.

We then visited Own !t Now, a local furniture and appliance store that lost over 90% of the items they hoped to sell to customers. Owner Kyle told us he is grateful the Small Business Administration could help them recover from the flooding.

Our next stop was Dellwood Towing and Service, where owner Bernie told us they lost many of the cars that were in their impound lot due to flood waters. They also lost some of the tools necessary to do their jobs and are applying to receive assistance.

Finally, we visited Key West Market. Despite not receiving as much flooding, many of the perishable foods they sell were lost after their refrigerators lost power. They have already started repairs and are hoping to get back to normal soon.

Meeting with Farmers and Cattlemen

I visited our farmer and cattlemen friends in south Osceola County. They showed me how catastrophic Hurricane Ian flooding has been for their ranches and farms. Many are still struggling with water flow-back issues, overfilled canals, and damaged infrastructure.

Talking to Affected Families

We visited the Red Cross shelter at Osceola Heritage Park to meet with constituents who were affected by the hurricane and ensure they have everything they need.

Briefing the Kissimmee Chamber of Commerce's Black Business Coalition

I briefed the Kissimmee Chamber of Commerce's Black Business Coalition on federal help available as they recover from Hurricane Ian. Many businesses and individuals qualify for FEMA assistance grants and Small Business Administration disaster loans that can help.

Beware of Fraud

I am proud to be your representative and look forward to our continued efforts to improve our district! Please do not hesitate to call my office with any questions or concerns.

In Community,