Hurricane Milton Resources

AMEX and the U.S. Chamber Foundation Offering Grants to Small Businesses and Chambers of Commerce Impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton:

The Small Business Hurricane Recovery Grant Program began on October 31 and will distribute $5 million worth of grants to 1,000 small businesses (including chambers of commerce) within the impacted areas, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. 

Click here to access full eligibility details and other frequently asked questions.

The deadline to apply is November 17 at 11:59 pm. Grants will not be awarded on a first-come-first served basis, but applying early is always a good idea. 



 Click here to begin your application (you will need your W-9 and a voided blank check or signed bank letter with your business account information to verify banking details). 

FEMA assistance can help people who are self-employed, including artists, musicians and mechanics. Independent contractors are considered self-employed.



To be considered for FEMA assistance, you must be a resident of or work in a county designated for FEMA Individual Assistance following Hurricanes Milton, Helene or Debby. You must also have had damage or losses as a result of the Florida hurricanes.

Eligible Occupational Tools - FEMA can help replace tools and equipment required for self-employment, or not provided by an employer but required for employment. Eligible tools may include: Computers,  Equipment such as power tools, art materials, musical instruments, tractors, utility vehicles, lawnmowers and ladders, Uniforms.

You may be reimbursed for these items if they were damaged by the disaster, you do not have another working piece of equipment or item, and the loss was not covered by insurance.

An inspection is required to review the damage to essential tools/materials. If you have damage to personal property or essential tools, include this information on your FEMA application and notify the inspector of damage at the time of inspection.

Required Documents - To be eligible for self-employment assistance, apply for FEMA assistance. When you apply, include: Documentation that proves you’re self-employed, such as a tax return; Insurance documents for all potential coverages and benefits,   Itemized receipts or estimates for repairing or replacing the requested items,  A written statement that explains you need the items for self-employment.

How to Apply for FEMA Assistance - Homeowners and renters are encouraged to apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by using the FEMA App. You may also apply by phone at 800-621-3362. If you choose to apply by phone, please understand wait times may be longer because of increased volume for multiple recent disasters. Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to FEMA Accessible: Applying for Individual Assistance - YouTube.

If you applied to FEMA after Hurricanes Debby or Helene and have additional damage from Hurricane Milton, you will need to apply separately for Milton and provide the dates of your most recent damage.

For the latest information about Hurricane Milton recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4834. For Hurricane Helene recovery information,  visit fema.gov/disaster/4828. For Hurricane Debby recovery information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4806. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.

On October 31, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation officially launched the Small Business Hurricane Recovery Grant Program in partnership with American Express to support small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.

Eligible small businesses can apply online starting October 31 through November 17, 2024, at 11:59pm ET. 

For more information on the Small Business Hurricane Recovery Grant Program, and how to apply, visit our disaster page at bit.ly/SBDCDisasterResources

Business owners who need assistance filling out their application can schedule a consultation with a Florida SBDC at USF business consultant here.

Apply NowFloridaCommerce Activates Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

To support small businesses who have been impacted by Hurricane Milton, FloridaCommerce has activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program.

The bridge loan program is a short-term, zero-interest loan that helps businesses “bridge the gap” between the time of impact and when long-term resources are available, such as federally or commercially available loans, insurance claims, or other resources. Businesses directly impacted by Hurricane Milton, in the counties of DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota are eligible to apply for loans of up to $50,000.

Application Deadline: December 4, 2024

Visit www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL to learn more about the program, view the lending guidelines and required documentation, and complete an application. Business owners who need assistance filling out their application can schedule a consultation with a Florida SBDC at USF business consultant here.

Apply NowSmall Business Administration (SBA) Activates Physical Disaster Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for Businesses

To support businesses who experienced physical or economic injury from Hurricane Milton, the SBA has activated the Physical Disaster Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).

Businesses in Desoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota counties are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.

Application Deadlines:

Physical Damage: December 10, 2024

Economic Injury: July 11, 2025

Business owners who need assistance filling out their application can schedule a consultation with a Florida SBDC at USF business consultant here.

Apply Here

Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program Opens for Farmers Impacted by Hurricane Helene and Milton

The Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program has been established within the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to make low-interest or interest-free loans to agricultural and aquaculture producers who have experienced damage from a declared natural disaster.

Applicants must own a bona fide farm operation on land classified as agricultural pursuant to Section 193.461, F.S., or lease sovereign submerged land pursuant to Section 597.010, F.S.

The qualifying counties for Hurricane Milton include: DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota counties.

Apply Here