Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22) led Florida House Democrats in sending a letter urging House and Senate leaders to pass President Biden’s funding request to support communities nationwide recovering from recent natural disasters, including the tornadoes and Hurricane Milton that devastated parts of Florida. A record 15 tornadoes struck South Florida on October 9, just one day before Hurricane Milton hit Florida’s Gulf Coast.

The letter, led by Rep. Frankel, underscored the need for swift action to ensure agencies like FEMA and the Small Business Administration (SBA) have the resources needed to assist families and businesses in their recovery efforts. FEMA can provide grants of up to $42,500 for housing not covered by insurance and an additional $42,500 for essential needs like transportation, child care, and medical care. The SBA offers homeowners low-interest loans of up to $500,000 after insurance to repair or replace their primary residences, and renters and homeowners can apply for loans up to $100,000 after insurance to replace personal property—such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances—damaged or lost in the disaster. Those needing assistance can call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or apply at DisasterAssistance.gov.

“We must stand by our neighbors who have suffered devastating losses through no fault of their own, many of which are not covered by insurance,” said Rep. Frankel.

The funding request includes the following allocations:

• $40 billion for the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund;
• $24 billion for the Department of Agriculture to aid farmers, enhance food and nutrition programs, and support debris removal;
• $12 billion for HUD’s block grant disaster recovery program;
• $8 billion for the Department of Transportation to repair roads and bridges;
• $4 billion for the EPA to improve water systems;
• $3 billion for HHS to deliver health care and other services in disaster-affected areas;
• $2 billion for the Department of Commerce for economic development and support for NOAA’s Hurricane Hunters;
• $2 billion for the SBA disaster loan program;
• $1 billion for the Department of Education to assist schools impacted by disasters;
• $1 billion for the Department of Energy to enhance electrical grids; and
• $1.4 billion for other urgent agency needs to address disaster response.

For the full text of the letter, click here.

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