Relief and Recovery Resource Listing
At United Way, we believe that we are better together. This page contains relevant resources for Charlotte County residents who were affected by Hurricane Ian.
As the relief and recovery needs evolve, so will this listing, so be sure to check back regularly.
Disaster Recovery Centers
Cultural Center: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday-Saturday
2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte
Shelters Available
Ann & Chuck Dever Regional Park
6961 San Casa Drive, Englewood
Short-term shared living space for residents displaced from Hurricane Ian open with limited space.
Get Help
For life-threatening emergencies, call or text 9-1-1.
Sheriff non-emergencies can call 941.833.4161.
You can call 941.743.1320 or 941.833.4000 to reach the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Call Center for response and recovery information.
FEMA | Disaster Loans | Disaster Guide
Apply for FEMA assistance in person at the Charlotte Harbor Event Center, 75 Taylor St. between 8 am and 6 pm (7 days a week) or go online to DisasterAssistance.gov.
Long-Term Recovery Survey for Residents with Unmet Needs
Residents that experienced damage and financial loss as a result of Hurricane Ian and are struggling with unmet needs, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance and case management based on your income. Take the long-term recovery survey to help local organizations build a picture of what is needed here in Charlotte County and see if you are eligible for assistance. Please note, taking the survey is not a guarantee you will receive services.
Insurance deductible assistance through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation: bit.ly/2rcVpyr
Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to businesses and residents in Florida following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration. For help, call 800-659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
If you have been denied or under-awarded FEMA assistance, there is FREE help for a FEMA appeal. Call 1-800-267-9511 or email FEMAhelp@sbpusa.org
If you were denied an SBA loan, are still awaiting a response from SBA, or were not requested by FEMA to apply for a loan, reach out to FEMAhelp@sbpusa.org or call 1-800-276-9511.
Find after-the-storm information in the Disaster Guide.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to Florida businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Ian. Individuals affected in the designated-disaster areas must file DUA applications by December 30, 2022. If you need assistance, call 1-800-385-3920.
Dislocated Worker Grant Program. National Dislocated Worker Grants are awarded for temporary employment to workers affected by major dislocations, including natural disasters. For information, visit your local CareerSource Center at www.careersourceflorida.com/your-local-team.
County press releases (boil water notices, curfews, etc.) - www.charlottecountyfl.gov/news/
Encourage Your Employees to Apply for FEMA
It is very important that every resident applies for FEMA. You may not know exactly what they have available until you apply.
Some of the business loans available may also have zero interest options.
If you have employees that have been displaced, assistance with transitional housing assistance vouchers may be available, but they must apply.
3 ways to apply:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
- FEMA app
- Call 800-687-FEMA (3362)
There are business recovery centers operated by SBDC are open in Charlotte County and surrounding area that have information on:
- SBA Physical Disaster Loan
- SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
- Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
Hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am-4pm at these locations:
- Tringali Park in Englewood
- Promenades Mall in Port Charlotte
- Shannon Staub Library in North Port
- Cape Coral Kiwanis in Cape Coral
Federal Business Recovery Resources
Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans
Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery, and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non- profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.
Application filing deadlines:
Physical damage: January 12, 2023
Economic injury: June 29, 2023
More information is available on the SBA.gov website.
The agency will waive the interest rate for the first year on new disaster loans and extend the initial payment deferment period automatically to 12 months.
Disaster Legal Aid
National Disaster Legal Aid
Disaster Legal Services through the American Bar Association (ABA)
Tax Relief
Call the IRS – 866-562-5227
FEMA Declaration Number – DR-4673-FL
Website Link
State of Florida Business Recovery Resources
State of Florida Business Damage Assessment Survey
Providing information in the Business Damage Assessment survey to determine damage related to disaster impacts in Florida, and does NOT serve as an application for resources, including the Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan. After filling out the survey, federal, state, or local agencies may reach out to you through the contact information provided if you indicate your interest. Surveys are public record and must be made available to the public and media upon request.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to Florida businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Ian. Individuals affected in the designated-disaster areas must file DUA applications by December 30, 2022. Applications filed after the deadline will be considered untimely, and DUA benefits may be denied unless the individual provides good cause.
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program provides short-term, zero-interest working capital loans that are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a disaster impacts a business and when a business has secured longer term recovery funding such as federally or commercially available loans, insurance claims or other resources.
Loans are available up to $50,000 per eligible applicant. Loans made under this program are short-term, personal loans using State of Florida funds – they are not grants and must be repaid. Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loans require repayment by the approved applicant. Owners may utilize funding from longer term financial resources, such as U.S. Small Business Administration economic injury disaster loans, to repay the Emergency Bridge Loan.
Click here for more information / to apply.
Florida United Ways work together every day to meet the needs of our individual communities, as well as the entire state. When Hurricane Ian hit Florida, our thoughts immediately turned to concern for our families, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Now we are #United4Florida to help the communities devastated by the storm respond and recover. No matter where you live, a local United Way will be there to organize resources, connect those in need with those who can help, and ensure our neighbors have the support they need to recover.
For more information on statewide efforts by United Ways across Florida, visit www.uwof.org/hurricaneian