DeSantis announces money to help Floridians pay insurance deductibles…

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Saturday held a news conference at a restaurant in Punta Gorda, announcing Florida would disburse $5 million — previously earmarked by the state for disaster-response funding — to help some South Floridians pay their home insurance deductibles after Hurricane Ian.

“So these funds are going to assist individuals, families and particularly seniors with low to moderate incomes in the six most impacted counties: Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee, Sarasota. I would imagine, you know, that the bulk of this will be in Lee and Charlotte, southern Sarasota and then probably parts of DeSoto and Hardee, but at the end of the day, we understand there’s a lot of challenges here, we understand that those deductibles can be difficult to meet and we want to be able to help, and so folks can stand by and you will be getting information about that very soon,” DeSantis said.

We have $5 million in disaster funds that are being allocated to assist low and moderate-income families here, whose homes were damaged as a result of Hurricane Ian. Hurricane deductibles, as you know, are typically larger deductibles for home damages, and most people impacted by a major storm aren’t prepared to put up tens of thousands of dollars to begin the work of rebuilding their houses.

Those hopeful to benefit from the initiative were encouraged to learn more at FloridaHousing.org.

Local Link for Charlotte County:

Update 10/27/22:

The State Housing Initiatives Partnership Disaster Assistance program provides assistance to low-income households following a disaster. In response to Hurricane Ian, the Charlotte County Disaster Assistance Program opened at 8 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022 and will remain open while funds are available. 

Due to the high volume of applications and limited funding, the SHIP Disaster Assistance program will stop accepting applications at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022. Once applications are processed and funds are committed for eligible households, the program may re-open for additional applicants should the funds be available. Applications will be accepted via email to NSU@CharlotteCountyFL.gov or dropped off in person at the Family Services Center 21500 Gibralter Dr. Port Charlotte during regular business hours. Find forms, contacts, locations and more online at www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov/ship.