Individual Assistance
Read this PDF regarding Helene recovery and Milton preparation:
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IRS Information
Click following hyperlink for guidance the IRS recently released for taxpayers in impacted areas.
This guidance applies to all businesses and individuals in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. It also applies to areas in Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia that have been designated by FEMA (full list linked here).
- Extension of certain tax filing deadlines: IRS has extended various filing deadlines for taxpayers in impacted areas, including 2024 individual/business returns, certain quarterly estimated income tax payments, and certain payroll/excise taxes.
- Click here for the full list of extensions and respective dates
- Click here for more information from the IRS on disaster assistance
- Tax relief for qualified payments, disaster-related losses: IRS released provided guidance to taxpayers on how to address disaster-related losses in their 2024 tax return, as well as providing guidance on how qualified disaster relief payments – like government assistance payments – are generally excluded from gross income.
- Click here for a general walkthrough of these policies (under header “Additional tax relief”)
- Click here for more information on tax treatment of disaster-related losses
- Click here for more information on tax treatment of qualified disaster relief payments
- Waiver of fuel excise tax: In response to fuel disruptions resulting from the hurricane, IRS has waived the federal excise tax on dyed diesel within the impacted areas. This relief is retroactive to Sept. 26, 2024 and will remain in effect through Oct. 15, 2024.
- Click here for more information
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Patient Emergency Hotline for Dialysis Patients
If dialysis patients are needing assistance, Fresenius Medical Care provides on behalf of any dialysis patient in the state of Florida an emergency hotline. The Hotline can be reached toll-free at (800) 626-1297.
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Information For Veterans
For Disaster Assistance please visit: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/information/veterans
Lake City and Gainesville (Malcom Randall) VA Medical Centers are open and operational per normal hours.
For hours of operations for all facilities within the NF/SG Veterans Health System, please see the following: (a list of all locations associated with our VHS can be found at Locations | VA North Florida/South Georgia Health Care | Veterans Affairs): https://www.va.gov/north-florida-health-care/programs/emergency-preparedness/
In preparation for Monday, September 30, 2024, ALL facilities will resume normal operating hours with the exception of the following locations:
- Lake City Commerce – Closed for in-person appointments. All scheduled appointments will be rescheduled to virtual appointments as appropriate. Additional updates will be provided on Monday, September 30
- Perry Clinic (Closed on Mondays per normal operating hours) – status for the remainder of the week is TBD. Additional updates will be provided on Monday, September 30.
- Valdosta Clinic – Closed and all appointments will be rescheduled. Additional updates will be provided on Monday, September 30.
- Waycross Clinic – Closed and all appointments will be rescheduled. Additional updates will be provided on Monday, September 30.
Reminder, if you experience a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest open emergency room. For virtual urgent and tele-emergency care, Veterans can contact the VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center at 1-877-741-3400 – around the clock. The center is staffed with doctors, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, pharmacists, and administrative professionals who can assist Veterans.
***Important information about pharmacy and medications*** The NF/SG Veterans Health System has activated the Pharmacy Disaster Relief Plan through Heritage Health Solutions. For full details, visit – Emergency Preparedness | VA North Florida/South Georgia Health Care | Veterans Affairs: https://www.va.gov/north-florida-health-care/programs/emergency-preparedness/
VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center is Available for Virtual Urgent Care:
If a Veteran experiences a medical emergency, they should call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest open emergency room. For virtual urgent and tele-emergency care, Veterans can contact the VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center at 1-877-741-3400 around the clock. The center is staffed with doctors, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, pharmacists, and administrative professionals who can assist Veterans.
Veterans Benefits Administration Information:
Due to impacts from Hurricane Helene, Florida locations for the Veterans Benefits Administration are available to assist Veterans and their families. Veterans wishing to discuss disability compensation claims and appeals may schedule a virtual appointment by visiting: https://va.my.site.com/VAVERA/s/
North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System Operational Status
Operational status for facilities remain the same at this point.
For today, 10 Oct. most facilities remain closed for in person appointments and where able, appointments were converted to virtual. The following facilities are operating under normal hours for today, 10 Oct:
Gainesville and Lake City VAMC Emergency/Inpatient operations
Valdosta
Waycross
Tallahassee
Marianna
Assessments are taking place to determine closures/opening for Friday, Oct. 12. More to follow with that.
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Red Cross Assistance
You can find evacuation centers on redcross.org, the free Red Cross Emergency app or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800) 733-2767. If you need assistance finding or going to a shelter in Florida, you can call (800) 729-3413 for help.
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Apply for Disaster Assistance, Hurricane Helene
Deadline Extended for FEMA Applications After Hurricane Debby in Florida! The deadline for Floridians to apply for FEMA assistance after Hurricane Debby has been extended to Nov. 12, 2024. To learn more, click the attachment below:
The fastest way to apply is through DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply through the FEMA mobile app or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a video relay service, captioned telephone service, or other communication services, please provide FEMA the specific number assigned for that service.
Get Immediate Help
Find help with needs that FEMA is not authorized to provide. Check with your local emergency management officials. The FEMA Helpline (800-621-3362) may be able to provide additional referrals. If you use a video relay service, captioned telephone service, or other communication services, please provide FEMA the specific number assigned for that service.
I Applied for Assistance. What's Next?
After applying for assistance, your request is reviewed to determine if an inspection is needed to verify disaster-related damage to your home and personal property. FEMA staff and inspectors may contact you to discuss your disaster-caused damage.
FEMA may also request more information to support your eligibility for assistance or information related to your specific disaster-related needs identified in your application. If this is needed, you will receive a letter from FEMA outlining the information needed.
Review FEMA's Decision
Once FEMA has reviewed your application, the results of the inspection and/or documentation submitted, you will get a letter explaining:
- whether you are approved for assistance
- how much assistance you will receive
- how the assistance must be used
- how to appeal FEMA’s decision if you do not agree with it
The letter will be sent to you by email or mail based on what you selected when you completed your application.
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Additional FEMA Information
Public Assistance: State, local, tribal and territorial governments and certain private-non-profit organizations in these designated counties are eligible for assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. Learn more about the Public Assistance program.
FEMA is authorized to provide Public Assistance (Category B) emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support at 75 percent federal funding for the counties of Bay, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Monroe, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee, Taylor, and Wakulla.
FEMA is also authorized to provide Public Assistance (Category B) emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance for the counties of Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Escambia, Hamilton, Holmes, Marion, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Sumter, Union, Walton, and Washington.
To apply for FEMA assistance, please visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4828.
With questions, please feel free to contact our office so we can help expedite disaster claims.