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Dear Neighbor,

Sadly, many of our neighbors are continuing to suffer as a result of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. In addition to those who have had their homes, property and businesses damaged from wind and storm surge, the hurricanes caused rivers throughout our community to continue rising which has cause significant flooding. The map below shows the anticipated peaks for various areas.

Help is available for those who need it. The first step in seeking individual assistance is to register.  For Individual Families:

• If you experienced damage during Helene or Milton, you can apply for FEMA assistance. 
  
• If you do not receive an appointment for FEMA to assess your damage and provide relief within 10 days, you can contact my office at 727-232-2921 and my casework team will open a congressional inquiry on your behalf.  If you've been denied for FEMA assistance, that does not mean you are not eligible.  It often means you need to provide additional documentation.  I would encourage you to follow the appeal guidance in your FEMA notification letter.  You can also contact my office for help. 
• FEMA has just activated the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program for residents of Pasco, Hernando or Citrus counties who have been displaced by Hurricane Helene or Milton. Residents in these counties who have applied for disaster assistance may be eligible to stay temporarily in a hotel or motel paid for by FEMA. Applicants do not need to request this assistance. FEMA will notify them of their eligibility through an automated phone call, text message and/or email, depending on the method of communication that was selected on the initial application for assistance. Applicants may be eligible if they can’t return to their disaster-damaged home and their housing needs cannot be met by insurance, shelters, or rental assistance provided by FEMA or another agency. Under the TSA program, FEMA pays the cost of room, taxes and non-refundable pet fees directly to participating hotels. Applicants should refer to the TSA locator which can be accessed here. 
• The state is also operating a hotline for individuals whose homes are uninhabitable to request a travel trailer on their property. You can start the process by calling 1-833-432-4673.
  
  For Small Businesses:
• The Small Business Administration provides multiple resources for small businesses that are impacted by a federal disaster. The SBA announced last week that it has ran out of funding for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).  I’ve been very vocal that Congress should return to session immediately to replenish these funds and to ensure FEMA has the resources to help families impacted by these newest disasters.  We’ve got to prioritize the needs of Americans who are suffering and I will keep pushing House Leadership to respond appropriately.  In the interim, the SBA is continuing to take and process EIDL applications which will be funded as soon as the emergency fund is replenished.  To apply, visit www.sba.gov/disaster 
• The state of Florida also offers small business owners the opportunity to participate in the Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. Learn more by clicking here.  

Debris Collection:

Each county is continuing its work to collect debris.  For an update from Pasco County, click here.  For an update from Hernando County, click here.  For an update from Citrus County, click here.

While each local government is responsible for arranging debris collection, they face many bureaucratic road blocks in expediting collection. To help with this situation,  I led a Florida federal Congressional Delegation letter asking the President to grant additional flexibility to local governments that will enable expedited debris pick-up. We need to clean the mess up as quickly and help our residents move forward. I will continue pressing the White House to Act on this important issue.

Other Resources: 

Each County has established points of distribution for critical supplies and information.  To access Pasco's sites, click here, Hernando click here, and Citrus click here.  

HUD is also providing hurricane relief. Effective immediately, HUD is:

• Providing a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).
• There is also a 90-day extension granted automatically for Home Equity Conversion Mortgages. The moratorium and extension are effective as of the President’s disaster declaration date.
• Homeowners affected by the disaster should contact their mortgage or loan servicer immediately for assistance. Conventional mortgage holders may also be eligible for additional relief through their mortgage holder.Call the FHA Resource Center at 1-800-304-9320 for additional information. 

 Operation Blue Roof is now activated. Residents in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus can apply for help from now until November 5th.

My office has also received many calls from Pasco residents who have questions about the county's "49%" rule. While this is a local issue, I wanted to share this information for those who may be impacted as they try to make repairs to their home post-hurricane.

As I traveled through the district meeting with families, I was inspired by those who have done a tremendous job helping our community get through this storm and who have been instrumental in the early recovery process, including: our emergency responders, linemen, those who work in our Emergency Operations Centers, and everyone else who worked tirelessly to keep us safe. You have made us all proud. Floridians are resilient and we will get through this rebuilding process together.

While most of my efforts have been focused on hurricane response, I did have the chance to meet with residents on other issues. Continue reading to learn more.

Learning from You:  It was great to speak with constituents at the Brooksville Elks Club about the work I'm doing to protect seniors, Veterans, and Florida's families. It was also good to hear directly from them about the issues that are most impactful to them. I will continue working to address these challenges.

Also, I had the chance to discuss healthcare policy at the Hernando Health Continuum.  These leaders are dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of the seniors they work with and I am grateful for their efforts.  

I enjoyed talking with students at Gulf Middle School this week about the role of government and the importance of civic engagement. These bright young students had great questions and are interested in making a positive impact on our society.


Additionally, Voice for Life was a regional initiative to share the importance of preserving the sanctity of human life.  I was proud to participate. 

Helping Veterans in Need:   If you know a Veteran in need of dental care, please have them contact my office at 727-232-2921 to register for this upcoming event.

Community Connection

I am fortunate to have a team of dedicated staff who regularly attend events throughout our community, especially when I am required to be in Washington, DC. Through their collective efforts, I am better able to stay connected to the issues that matter most to my constituents. As part of my commitment to developing a better understanding of the issues facing constituents in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties, members of my team attended several events last week. Here are a few highlights.

My team toured the hurricanes' impact on local businesses, such as the damage at the AdventHealth Ice Center.  Many local businesses face a long road to recovery and we must make sure we support them in this process. 

My team also participated in last week's Brooksville Rotary meeting during which local Rotarians discussed the work they are doing to assist with hurricane relief. 

Additionally, my team visited local businesses in Citrus County as part of the Citrus County Chamber's Business Appreciation Month.  

Constituent Corner

My team recently received this note after helping resolve an identity theft issue.

Thank you so much for helping me with my ID theft case.  I had been trying to get help from the IRS to solve this problem for several months. Once you put me in touch with the Taxpayer Advocate, it was resolved within 72 hours.  I've very glad for your assistance.  

This is just one example of the work we do each day. Constituent services are a critical element of our congressional office. The federal government is a massive operation, and my office is available if you ever need assistance in navigating the bureaucracy or cutting through red tape. We are here to serve you!

Sincerely,

Gus Bilirakis
Member of Congress