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Disaster Relief Reimbursement Program

Last Updated: October 13, 2025

Up to $15,000 to pay for disaster-related expenses

If you lost your job or faced other financial hardships from the hurricanes, you can get reimbursed for up to six months of expenses, including rent, mortgage and utility payments.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • Pinellas County resident who experienced property- or job-related financial hardship caused by Hurricanes Idalia, Helene, and/or Milton within 60 days of the storms.
  • Household income up to 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) – see table below.
  • Expenses incurred prior to time of application and within two years after disaster funding notice (Jan. 21, 2025)
  • Property may not be located in the City of St. Petersburg. To check your address, please use our address lookup tool.

Eligible Awards

  • Reimbursement payment for up to 6 consecutive months of mortgage assistance
  • Reimbursement payment for up to 6 consecutive months of rent assistance
  • Reimbursement payment for up to 6 consecutive months of utility payments

Income Eligibility

Disaster Relief Reimbursement Program

Number of People in Household 80% AMI
1 $58,450
2 $66,800
3 $75,150
4 $83,450
5 $90,150
6 $96,850
7 $103,500
8 $110,200

Application Phase Prioritization

Owner-applicant households will be prioritized based on award date under the Homeowner Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Program. All other applicants will be processed on a first-come, first-processed basis. 

Funding Award Guidelines and Terms

  • Max Award = $15,000
  • Limited to one payment to each individual household.
  • Duplication of Benefits will be checked for all properties (you cannot get financial assistance from other state or federal programs for the same purpose).
  • Owner-applicant households must also be eligible to receive an award under the People First Homeowner Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Program.

Required Program Documents

Identity

  • Driver’s license or state-issued ID for all adult household members, OR
  • Evidence of permanent residency for non-U.S. Citizens/permanent resident alien status
  • Birth certificates for all household members under the age of 18

Household Income

Wages
  • W-2 Forms or Most Recent Tax Return;
  • Three (3) recent paystubs within the past three (3) months,
Retirement/Social Security
  • Three (3) Monthly Bank Statements (Social Security Benefits & Pension only),
  • Current Social Security Benefits letter (including benefits paid to minors),
  • Current Pension/Retirement Benefit letter (if applicable), and prior year 1099;
  • Current Annuity Payment letter (if applicable), and prior year 1099;
Self-Employment Income

Most recent tax return (1040 or 1040A), W-2 Forms; and current year profit and loss statement;

  • Rental Income:
    • Current lease agreements
  • Unemployment Benefits:
    • Current benefit letter with gross benefit amount;
  • Court Ordered Alimony/Spousal Maintenance:
    • Copy of court order documentation;
  • Taxable Interest and Dividends (including amounts received by, or on behalf of minors);
No Income

Adult household members who receive no income will be required to submit a Certification of No Income. These household members typically include those that are unemployed.

How to Contact Us

Call
727-606-3307

Phone lines will open on October 20.

Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.

Use our contact form

Meet with a case worker

Starting October 20 all People First Help Centers will be open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Clearwater
2600 McCormick Dr.
Suite 100
Clearwater, FL 33759

St. Petersburg 
5000 Park Street N
Suite 4
St. Petersburg FL 33709

Coming Soon: pop-up help locations around the county.

Applications Open on October 20!

The People First Housing Recovery Program addresses hurricane-related damage, prevents long-term displacement, and increases the availability of safe, code-compliant, and affordable housing. Applicants are required to meet eligibility and income requirements listed for each program. Please see the income eligibility table above to determine if your household is within the income limits of the program prior to submitting an application.

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