Caring Support and Resources for Our Community After Hurricane Helene

SBA Funding Programs – Small Business Association (SBA)’s Office of Disaster Assistance provides low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private non-profitorganizations, homeowners, and renters to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery & equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster.

• • • Apply for an SBA disaster loan
    • Manage your SBA disaster loan
    • SBA disaster assistance for homeowners, renters, nonprofits, and businesses of all sizes affected by Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene 

SBA disaster assistance for homeowners, renters, nonprofits, and businesses of all sizes affected by Hurricane Helene.

Areas eligible for SBA disaster loans

• • • Types of available disaster loans
    • Get help with your application
    • Additional assistance

Physical damage loans

Homeowners, renters, nonprofit organizations, and businesses of all sizes are eligible to apply for physical disaster assistance.

Mitigation assistance

Help protect your home or business against future disasters. Rebuilding stronger is within reach.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans

Small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most private nonprofit organizations located in a declared disaster area and which have suffered substantial economic injury may be eligible for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).

Pinellas County Economic Development: assists business owners through Florida’s Emergency Bridge Loan program, which provides a temporary cash flow to businesses impacted by a disaster.

Bay Area Legal Services: A legal aid non-profit organization that provides free civil legal services to low-income residents affected by the storm. 

United Way Suncoast: A social service organization that provides financial assistance, recovery support, and guides people to local resources 

Florida Small Business Bridge Loan: This program provides short-term, zero-interest working capital loans that are intended to “bridge the gap” while the business works to secure a longer-term funding source. Loans are available up to $50,000 per eligible applicant.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

FEMA Internet RegistrationFEMA Phone Registration:
  1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
  TTY 1-800-462-7585

Disaster Declarations

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – Tax Relief in Disaster Situations

U.S. Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Disaster Assistance

Small Business Association (SBA)’s Office of Disaster Assistance provides low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery & equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster.

Pinellas County Economic Development assists business owners through Florida’s Emergency Bridge Loan program, which provides a temporary cash flow to businesses impacted by a disaster.

Find out what benefits you might be eligible to receive at Government Benefit Programs.

For assistance with relocation or other needs in the aftermath of a storm, contact the American Red Cross Tampa Bay Chapter at 813-348-4820.

For information on assistance not covered by the American Red Cross, call 211 Tampa Bay Cares by dialing 211 from any phone.

Florida residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Helene can submit a Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) at FloridaJobs.org.

Physical damage loans

Homeowners, renters, nonprofit organizations, and businesses of all sizes are eligible to apply for physical disaster assistance.

Hurricane Helene

SBA disaster assistance for homeowners, renters, nonprofits, and businesses of all sizes affected by Hurricane Helene.

If you have lost or found a pet, visit pinellas.gov/lost-and-found.

If you are displaced from your home and are unable to stay with friends/family or at a hotel, contact the County Information Center at (727) 464-4333 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. for assistance with finding a temporary shelter.

Pinellas County Schools will be serving free lunch to all students for the next month. 

The county is also supporting three points of distribution (PODs) where barrier island residents affected by Hurricane Helene can receive free food, water, and tarps while supplies last starting Monday, September 30th from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following locations:

4700 Gulf Boulevard, St. Pete Beach
Food, water, and tarps will be available. 

10451 Gulf Boulevard, Treasure Island
Food, water, and tarps will be available.

540 Sands Point Drive, Tierra Verde
Water only. 

Feeding Tampa Bay is offering food pantries and food distribution events in Pinellas County for residents impacted by Hurricane Helene. Find food and resources.

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority is initiating two weeks of free fares within St. Pete city limits. The free rides will be available today through Sunday, October 13th.

The SunRunner, PSTA’s bus rapid transit line, is turning around at Pasadena due to westbound access limitations.

For more information on routes and schedules, visit psta.net.

Residents with additional questions can contact the Pinellas County Information Center at 727-464-4333.

Florida Disaster Fund: The state’s official private fund that was established to assist Florida’s communities in times of emergency or disaster. Donations to the Florida Disaster Fund are made to the Volunteer Florida Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, and are tax-deductible.

Feeding Tampa Bay: In partnership with the Tampa Bay area Emergency Operations Centers, the group works directly with local emergency management operations to provide food, water, and hygiene items during emergencies. They are currently seeking volunteers.

Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside: Starting Monday, September 30th, Habitat will accept cleaning supplies and safety gear donations. Donations will be accepted at its Pinellas, West Pasco, and Hernando offices during regular business hours. All monetary donations will directly support disaster relief.

Tampa Bay Resiliency Fund: A fund providing disaster relief to residents.

Tampa Bay Response Fund: Controlled by the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, the fund provides a trusted and reliable way to make tax-deductible donations to address emergency situations, including the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Funds collected through this effort will be directed to address immediate needs through grants to select nonprofits.

To connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language, click the “ASL Now” button below or call 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone. ASL Support is available 24/7. FAQs for ASL NOW users.

Care About Me, Pinellas County’s access line for mental health, substance use and addiction services, can help residents or family members of individuals in non-crisis find local services. Call or text 1-888-431-1998 or chat in on careaboutme.org, confidentially speak with an experienced behavioral health specialist who will triage your needs, and get an appointment scheduled with a local provider.

988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline

The 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available to assist anyone experiencing trauma or in need of support. Call or text 988 for support. The Disaster Distress Helpline is also open: 1-800-985-5990

The Pinellas Beaches Chamber is here to support our members and residents throughout this difficult time.