MOST RECENT UDATES TO RESOURCES AVAILABLE

---

 Mental Health help is here! Starting February 10th 2023,  there will be an anonymous support group, as well as one on one time, available at the Pine Island Library, as a resource for islanders & volunteers!

Fridays will be for women only!
From 10am - noon,  we will have one on one time available.  From noon-2pm, women's group support will be open to all women,  at no charge!

Saturdays will be Coed days!
From 10 - noon,  we will also have individual time,  followed by a Coed support group from noon-2pm.

Coffee and donuts will be provided.  All groups & individual time are anonymous,  confidential and free to all islanders!

***All groups will be a weekly occurrence at the library,  with the exception of Saturday February 11. We will only have individual time,  until noon,  on this day.  

#CPE-ProjectHope

https://youtu.be/eGft_Fyvq6E 

The resources listed here are meant to provide legal resources to those who have been directly affected by a disaster. This includes general information helpful to disaster relief on housing, insurance claims, insurance, employment, and other vital issues. You can find organizations in your state that can provide free legal help to you, if you are eligible, by visiting LawHelp.org. You can apply for government disaster relief benefits online at disasterassistance.gov, by phone at 1-800-621-3362, by Smart Phone at m.fema.gov or by TTY at 1-800-462-7585. You can find a list of currently open Red Cross shelters at redcross.org/nss.

Watch below for 5 common mistakes when filing a FEMA claim. Video by TalksOnLaw available here. 

https://www.disasterlegalaid.org/legalhelp/

In addition to the Beacon of Hope Pine Island assisting you in an appeal, you can also call FEMA Appeal Assistance Florida Rural Legal Services at (888)582-3410Applicants can appeal any FEMA decision. An appeal is a written request to FEMA to review your file again, and an opportunity to provide new or additional information not previously submitted that may affect denial decisions. Appeals using this outlet must be made in writing and sent by mail or fax to FEMA within 60 days of receiving the letter. Appeals, pictures and documents can be faxed to (800)827-8112 or uploaded to your FEMA online account. Appeal letters and supporting documentation can also be uploaded to your account via DisasterAssistance.gov. .

The State is now getting 'Aggressive' on debris removal on our islands. Take ADVANTAGE. This is for residences as well as businesses. 

CALL 850-961-2022

  Lee County created a temporary debris drop off site for islanders located at Phillips Park at the Center. You must be able to offload yourself or with other help you bring with you. Enter thru Park Lane side. Up to 5 cubic yards of both vegatative & structural debris are accepted per trip, but this site is limited to light duty trucks & small trailers only. Show ID, utility bill, rental agreement or local business license as it is for islander’s use only. You will be asked to complete a waiver prior to dumping. You can fill one out prior to going to the dump at leegov.com/storm or wait to get one while on site. Hours are 730am-5pm daily, except for the following holidays (12-23 to 12-27 & 1-1). There will be limited hours from 12-27 to 12-31 730am to noon, but back to regular hours on 1-2-23. 

The Lee County Department of Community Development (DCD) has transitioned to an electronic submittal process for building permits, zoning, planning & development review applications.You can submit applications & supporting documents through the DCD Public Portal, which is called eConnect here: 

 https://accelaaca.leegov.com/aca/Welcome.aspx 

UNITE FLORIDA

State initiative to apply for temporary housing. Applications taken at the Beacon of Hope

Monday and Wednesday 9am-1pm 

Details to apply online or via phone are found here 

https://ianrecovery.fl.gov/unite?fbclid=IwAR28ikslFC6c5VViaUV8KEQJtbDuQmvvK-18hbEmgPXFA4D17WOZ40IwfNI

LEE COUNTY HVS REACH

 The county has developed a new app, called HVS REACH, and a new phone number to guide displaced families who might be new to the process. Answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 239-533-7996 is the "gateway to all housing and services for persons who are experiencing homelessness," according to a Lee County press release  

APP DOWNLOAD 

APPLE 

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hvs-reach/id6443931187

YOUTUBE VIDEO

https://youtu.be/9BI9GjRDgW8

Offers list of resources

https://www.habitatflorida.org/hurricane-ian?fbclid=IwAR2gkBn_Gs7YKBk7mdu3vdKiRC_ZrVNP9vNyygucBLgDodobdYviiZndLqk

Florida Rural Legal Services

 Provides "disaster" related assistance if you are having difficulty.

Call (888) 582-3410 for education on disaster relief, free legal services, help on assisting you obtain repairs or reimbursement on repairs from landlords, aid in relocation if you were renting and providing you assistance with public benefits.