Operation Helping Hands – Recover and Rebuild Resource Center

As our community and neighbors recover from the devastation caused by natural disasters, below is a list of resources and services available to help you and your family find help, provide in-kind donations to our neighbors in need and helpful tips following a disaster and updated information on county services.

Assistance

ASSISTANCE FOR DISPLACED CITIZENS OF PUERTO RICO/U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

Disaster Relief Center
Miami International Airport
Concourse J, 4th floor
7 am to 11 pm

The Disaster Relief Center (DRC) located at Miami International Airport is providing resources for U.S. Citizens arriving in Miami from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, in the wake of the latest natural disasters. All resources are under one roof for easy access. These include housing information, medical and dental assistance/referrals, temporary cash assistance, food assistance and the like, from federal, state and local organizations.

FEMA is providing 3-month housing vouchers to assist with temporary housing, but individuals need to contact a realtor familiar with the process.

Complete list of resources and services available at the Disaster Relief Center.

Transportation to MIA via Metrobus, Metrorail and Tri-Rail

How to get to DRC (located at the Airport Reception Center)

From J International Arrival

  • At the exit of customs, turn right, head toward the hallway adjacent to the Currency Exchange
  • To the left, take elevators up to the 4th floor
  • Exit elevator and go to the right
  • Enter double doors and pass 2nd double doors into the Airport Reception Center

From Terminals D, E, F, G and H

  • Exit concourse, turn right and head toward Concourse H, South Terminal, 2nd floor
  • Pass the Information Counter at Concourse H, take the elevators to the left by Door 24, up to the 4th floor
  • Exit elevator and go to the right
  • Enter double doors and pass 2nd double doors into the Airport Reception Center

NEW Free Medical Services for Displaced Puerto Ricans arriving in Miami are being offered by Sanitas Medical Centers across South Florida.  Services for adults are available at all of Sanitas 10 locations in Florida, including Boynton Beach which will open January 1, 2018; services for children are available only at Sanitas medical center facilities in Doral, Kendall, Miami Lakes and Tampa.

Services offered are:

  • Children: a complete school physical and vaccinations as needed
  • Adults: doctor visit to complete a general health check-up and their flu shot

Families should call 877-852-7242 for more information and to schedule their appointment with a proof of travel after September 1, 2017. Use reference code: PuertoRico.  Information inEnglish   Spanish


FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

  • Disaster Recovery Center opens in Miami-Dade County to assist Floridians recovering from Hurricane Irma. The center is operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and has representatives from multiple government agencies available to answer questions and help Floridians apply for assistance.
    Location: Kendall Campus Building K, 11011 SW 104 Street, Miami, FL 33176; open Monday – Sunday, 8 am to 8 pm. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585. Help is available in most languages, and information on the registration process is available in ASL at: https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546.
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Residents impacted by Hurricane Irma may register for FEMA assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, www.fema.gov/apply-assistance; call 800-621-FEMA (3362) between 7 am and 11 pm; or download the FEMA app: www.fema.gov/mobile-app.
  • Applicants will need the following to apply:
    • Social Security number
    • Daytime telephone number
    • Current mailing address, address and Zip Code of the damaged property, and private insurance information, if available.
    • Total household annual income
  • Operation Blue Roof: Eligible homeowners with damaged roofs can get a free fiber-reinforced sheeting to cover their damaged roofs until arrangements can be made for permanent repairs. For more information, visit S. Army Corps of Engineers or call 888-766-3258.
  • Transitional Sheltering Assistance: FEMA may provide Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) to eligible disaster survivors who are unable to return to their homes for an extended period and need shelter. TSA provides short-term lodging for eligible disaster survivors whose residence is uninhabitable or inaccessible. To be eligible for TSA, individuals and households must:
    • Register with FEMA for assistance
    • Pass identity and citizenship verification
    • Have a pre-disaster primary residence located in a geographic area that is designated for TSA
    • Be displaced from their pre-disaster primary residence as a result of the disaster
    • Be unable to obtain lodging through another source
    • For those eligible, FEMA will authorize and fund TSA through direct payments to participating hotels/motels. The list of approved hotels is available at DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA Helpline (800) 621-FEMA (3362) (voice, 711/VRS-Video Relay Service) (TTY: 800-462-7585).

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

  • HOPE Coalition America is the national disaster preparedness and response division of Operation HOPE, Inc., America’s leading provider of economic empowerment tools and services. The coalition is a collaboration of senior executives and professionals from the banking and financial services, insurance, and other industries. Additional participants include higher education, social service, and community services agencies, which provide financial and economic guidance and assistance to individuals and small businesses affected by emergencies and disasters.  The United States has a strong network of first responders to address immediate health, safety, and infrastructure needs after disasters, through agencies such as the American Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). HOPE Coalition America strengthens that network by assisting individuals with the short, medium and long-term economic and financial challenges they face following disasters and emergencies.
    For assistance, call 1-888-388-HOPE (4673) or visit, OperationHOPE.org
    If you were affected by Hurricane Irma, the following free services are available to you:

    • FEMA applications and appeals
    • Home inspections and repair contracts
    • Small business recovery
    • Assistance with obtaining copies of destroyed documents
    • Insurance claims assistance and appeals
    • Disaster recovery budget
    • Financial counseling
    • Assistance negotiating and working with your creditors
    • Managing mortgage payments on a destroyed home
  • Temporary Post-Irma Jobs Available – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is hiring staff to help with disaster recovery. The agency is seeking damage verifiers and construction analysts; lawyers, paralegals and legal assistants; loan specialists; customer service representatives and public information officers; and IT specialists. All of the positions are temporary. Visit sba.gov/disaster and click on the “view jobs” tab for salary and job description information.

FOOD ASSISTANCE

  • Food for Florida – Disaster Food Assistance Program is assisting victims of Hurricane Irma. Individuals and families must have suffered a disaster-related loss, such as damage to their homes who have or self-employment property, loss of food, reduction or loss of income, or have incurred other disaster related expenses. Applicants must also be financially eligible. To qualify for the Food for Florida Disaster Food Assistance program, applicants must have lived or worked in one of the counties declared for FEMA Individual Assistance on September 5, and not be receiving food assistance through the regular Food Assistance Program. The Department of Children and Families will provide or mail Electronic Benefits Transfer cards to eligible individuals and families to use at authorized USDA food retailers. The program counts only income and expenses from September 5 through October 4, 2017. You must have a valid Florida Driver License or Florida Identification card.Visit the Food for Florida website for more information on pre-registration, site locations, and hours of operation.  Contact: DCF Communications 850-717-4450
  • Statewide food bank database: foodpantries.org/st/florida
  • DisasterAssistance.gov – apply for assistance by filling out the questionnair

LEGAL AID HOTLINE 

A legal aid hotline is now available for Hurricane Irma survivors in Florida who cannot pay for an attorney: 1-866-550-2929. The hotline operates through a partnership between The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, the American Bar Association (ABA) Young Lawyers Division, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Florida Bar’s Press Release can be found HERE.

SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

  • NEW  Micro-Business Hurricane Relief Grants are available to assist small businesses in Miami-Dade, with no more than five (5) employees, impacted by Hurricane Irma. Established by United Way, in partnership with Branches, grants ranging from $1,000 – $5,000 will be awarded to businesses that qualify.
    To be eligible, businesses must:

    • Have been operational in Miami-Dade County for at least one year
    • Have no more than 5 employees and annual revenues under $300,000
    • Be able to demonstrate physical damage and/or economic injury as a result of the Hurricane Irma
    • Be able to demonstrate that the funds awarded would sustain operations and/or stimulate growth
  • Online applications open Monday, November 6 and close Thursday, November 23. For more information on eligibility and application process, click Micro-Business Hurricane Relief Grant.
  • Disaster Loans for private nonprofit and faith-based organizations:  In addition to providing loans to help small businesses, renters and homeowners recover from declared disasters, the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) also provides low-interest disaster loans to private nonprofit and faith-based organizations. SBA can lend up to $2 million to private nonprofit organizations for uncompensated disaster-related losses, generally at an interest rate of 2.5 percent or less with a loan term up to 30 years. Loans can be used to repair or replace real estate, inventory and equipment, as well as code required upgrades, mitigation measures, relocation or refinancing of existing liens. Economic injury disaster loans are also available to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred. For more information and to apply, visit U.S. SBA.
    • DEADLINES: Physical property damage application: Thursday, November 9, 2017; Economic injury application: Monday, June 11, 2018
  • Disaster Loan Assistance for small business: After registering with FEMA, businesses and homeowners can apply for SBA loans online at: sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/loans-grants/small-business-loans/disaster-loans
  • IRS has a special toll-free number 866-562-5227 for taxpayers with questions in federally-declared disaster areas.
  • Tax Considerations – As Miami-Dade County continues its rapid recovery from Hurricane Irma, some of you might’ve missed this announcement from the IRS, “Hurricane Irma victims in parts of Florida and elsewhere have until Jan. 31, 2018, to file certain individual and business tax returns and make certain tax payments.”  Individuals who reside or have a business in Broward, Charlotte, Clay, Collier, Duval, Flagler, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Putnam, Sarasota and St. Johns are covered by this announcement. Affected taxpayers include anyone reliant on K-1s and other information from entities impacted by the storm.”  Find further details on the IRS sitehttps://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-gives-tax-relief-to-victims-of-hurricane-irma-like-harvey-extension-filers-have-until-jan-31-to-file-additional-relief-planned.

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has launched the following programs:

  • Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program for businesses impacted by Hurricane Irma to provide short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced physical or economic damage during the storm. To apply, visit floridadisasterloan.org; deadline for application is October 31, 2017. For more information, contact the Florida Small Business Development Center Network at 850-898-3489 or email Disaster@FloridaSBDC.org
  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Program to provide assistance to businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a result of Hurricane Irma. To file for DUA or for more information, call 800-385-3920 or visit FloridaJobs.org
  • Florida Virtual Business Emergency Operations Center business damage assessment surveying tool has been activated for businesses to report damages resulting from Hurricane Irma. Businesses are encouraged to visit http://flvbeoc.org/index.php. Click on Hurricane Irma.
  • The Florida Film Office Encourages Projects Effected by Irma to Seek Bridge Loans Donyelle T. Marshall, LATAM business liaison for the Florida Office of Film and Entertainment is encouraging those whose projects have been negatively impacted by Hurricane Irma to seek financial relief through the Florida Emergency Bridge Loan Program. The procedure of seeking the bridge loan for impacted producers and investors would be the same as the steps detailed above for small business owners.
  • Business Physical Disaster Loan Program These loans are intended to help repair or replace disasterdamaged property. Businesses and nonprofit organizations may apply for up to $2 million to repair or replace property, including real estate, equipment, inventory, machinery, and other business assets.  Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program  Businesses in qualifying adjacent counties may apply for up to $2 million for working capital through the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. The Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, nonprofit organizations meet financial obligations and operating expenses through the disaster recovery period.Interest rates are as low as 3.305 percent for businesses and 2.5 percent for nonprofit organizations. The SBA customizes loan amounts and terms up to a maximum of 30 years for each applicant. Applicants may also be eligible for a loan amount increase up to 20 percent of their physical damages to protect property from future damage, including adding a safe room or storm shelter. To apply for Physical and Economic Injury Loans Businesses must first register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at www.disasterassistance.gov, or by mobile device at m.fema.gov or call the toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Upon registration with FEMA, businesses may apply for a disaster loan a number of ways:
    • Submit an online application at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela;
    • Download an application from www.sba.gov/disaster and submit to a SBA disaster recovery center or mail to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155;
    • Visit a SBA recovery center for one-on-one assistance; or
    • Visit their local Florida SBDC for assistance.

    The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is November 9, 2017. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 11, 2018.

Business Damage Assessment Survey
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is assessing the damage caused by the storm. Small businesses that have incurred losses due to Hurricane Irma are asked to complete a Business Damage Assessment Survey. The survey will help the State Emergency Response Team determine the needs and level of assistance for impacted businesses. To take the survey, please visit www.flvbeoc.org.

Disaster Recovery Workshops in October. The Miami-Dade Beacon Council (MBDC) is launching a series of Hurricane Recovery (and Preparedness) Business Assistance workshops to help business recover quickly from Hurricane Irma. The workshops are open to the community and there will be no cost to attend. Organized by MDBC’s One Community Goal initiative, the workshops will discuss ways our community can become more resilient. Presenters will include our partners at CareerSource South Florida, Small Business Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Small Business Development Center, community partners and others. The workshops are focused on obtaining immediate relief for businesses that were damaged by Hurricane Irma. The dates, times and locations of the eight workshops are listed below – register via links:

Thursday, October 12 – Cutler Bay
8 – 10:30 am
Cutler Bay Town Center
10720 Caribbean Blvd., Cutler Bay
Economic Development Group of South Dade

Monday, October 16 – Downtown Miami
8 – 10:30 am
Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus
Room 6100 (Bldg. 6, 1st Floor)
300 Northeast Second Avenue, Miami

Tuesday, October 17 – Coral Gables
8 – 10:30 am
University of Miami – Watsco Center
1245 Dauer Drive, Coral Gables

Wednesday, October 18 – Doral
8 – 10:30 am
Florida Blue
Community Room
8400 Northwest 33 Street, Doral

Thursday, October 19 – Miami
4 – 6:30 pm 
Miami Dade College North Campus
A-104 Science Complex
11380 Northwest 27 Avenue, Miami

Tuesday, October 24 – Miami Gardens
4:30 – 6:30 pm
Florida Memorial University
15800 Northwest 42 Avenue, Miami Gardens

TBD – North Miami
8 – 10:30 am
Florida International University
3000 Northeast 151 Street, Miami

VETERANS ASSISTANCE

Veterans impacted by Hurricane Irma may be eligible for federal relief including rental assistance, relocation assistance and food vouchers. For more information, call Support Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) providers. This includes homeless vets, those doubled up and those with damage to property, loss of food and/or belongings.

  • The Advocate Program: 786-227-5842 (Miami-Dade and Monroe).
  • Carrfour’s Operation Sacred Trust: 855-778-3411 (Miami-Dade and Broward).
  • Pharmacy Disaster Relief Plan – for eligible veterans with a VA ID card needing an emergency supply of medications will be able to go to any CVS pharmacy with a written prescription or active VA prescription bottle to receive a 14-day supply
  • VA’s Health Resource Center Disaster Hotline – 1-800-507-4571
    • Veterans, their beneficiaries, and caregivers may contact the hotline regarding VA health benefits, eligibility, billing, and pharmacy-related inquiries, during the storm period
  • Florida Emergency Information Line has been activated and is available 24/7 at 800-342-3557

Secure Mobile Hotspots with unlimited data are available for individuals whose internet connections have been interrupted due to power outages or left homeless due to Hurricane Irma. For more information and how to qualify, visit everyoneon.org or call 877-947-4321

Supplies donation locations

As this information is rapidly changing, please call to confirm before driving to drop-offs.  

Recent natural disasters have left devastation and disruption in our community and beyond. Below please find the locations that are accepting supply donations:

HELP FOR PUERTO RICO

The Puerto Rican Leadership Council will be accepting donations of nonperishable food, diapers, bottled water and clothing starting on Friday at the following locations:

  • Isla Del Encanto Restaurant at 12850 SW 120Street, Miami, FL 33186, Friday from noon to 10 pm
  • Ana G. Méndez University at 15201 NW 79 Court, Miami Lakes, FL 33016, Friday from 3 pm to 7 pm; Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm; and Sunday from 10 am – 4 pm
  • Mana Wynwood warehouse at 225 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33127,  Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm
  • Ay Bendito food truck at 9225 SW 137 Avenue Miami, FL 33196, Sunday from 1 pm to 6 pm
  • In Broward County at Casa Borinquen at 6519 Taft Street, Hollywood, FL 33024, Saturday from 1 pm to 5 pm

For more information, contact Luis De Rosa at ldr@puertoricanchamber.com.

HELP FOR THE FLORIDA KEYS

American Red Cross and Goodwill Industries has designated local organization Star of Sea Outreach Mission to receive goods to serve residents of the Keys.

Items needed:

  • Hygiene products (highest priority)
  • Canned goods
  • Baby products
  • Cleaning supplies (especially bleach)
  • Bug spray
  • Toiletries

Donation drop-off/distribution sites:

  • Homestead: Farm Share, 14125 SW 320 Street
  • Stock Island: SOS Outreach Mission, 5640 Maloney Avenue
  • Key West (Distribution Site): K-Mart Plaza, 2922 North Roosevelt Blvd.
  • Key Largo (Distribution Site): St. Justin’s Church, 105500 Overseas Highway

Star of the Sea Foundation Food Pantry, 5640 Maloney Avenue, Stock Island Key, FL 30040, 305-292-3013, Monday – Friday 10 am to 5 pm

HELP FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

Central hub in Liberty City at EcoTech Visions, 670 NW 112 Avenue, Miami, is the best place to take supplies; drop-off daily between 7 am and 7 pm

  • Bottled water
  • Nonperishable food
  • Batteries
  • Flashlights
  • Battery-powered fans
  • Toiletries
  • Baby products

Bridge to Hope, 13295 SW 268 Street, Homestead; drop-off daily between 9 am to 5 pm

  • Pet food
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Diapers
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Spare internet-connected devices like laptops and tablets (many residents do not have a computer at home and need one in order to apply for post-Irma assistance)

Goodwill Industries is accepting the following items at any of store in Miami or Broward.
Clothing (New & Gently Used)

  • Clothing – men\’s, women\’s, boys\’, girls\’, and infants
  • Footwear – shoes and boots
  • Outerwear – hats, gloves, mittens and scarves
  • Accessories – purses, jewelry and belts

Books, Media and Toys

  • Books, school textbooks records, compact discs, videotapes and DVDs
  • Games, bikes, sporting equipment and toys
  • Playground equipment

Household Goods and furniture

  • Housewares – dishes, kitchen utensils, lamps and small appliances
  • Knickknacks (giftware)
  • Décor – lamps, paintings, frames, shelves, baskets and wall decorations.
  • Furniture – dressers, tables, bedframes and sofas (drop off at select locations – home pick-up not available)
  • Antiques and collectibles
  • Hardware and tools
  • Domestics – curtains, drapery, blinds, linen, bedspreads, blankets, etc.

Electronics and computers

  • Computers, printers and accessories
  • Televisions (TVs should work. TV recording/viewing devices (VHS, DVD, etc.), video game consoles and accessories, video equipment and digital photo frames.

Returning to your homes

  • National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Contact your insurance company to file a claim. If you have flood insurance questions call 800-621-FEMA (3362), Monday through Friday from 8 am to 6 pm and select option 2. Call center staff are available to assist with information regarding your policy, offer technical guidance to aid in recovery and answer other flood insurance questions. You can be transferred to your insurance carrier for additional assistance if you have further questions.
  • Be aware of new safety issues created by the disaster such as washed out roads, gas leaks, and contaminated water. Upon returning to dwellings that may have suffered damage, be aware of possible structural, electrical, or gas-leak hazards.
  • Electrical power and natural gas or propane tanks should be shut off to avoid fire, electrocution, or explosions. Use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns, rather than candles, gas lanterns, or torches.
  • If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open all windows, and leave the house immediately. Notify the gas company and the fire department, and do not turn on the lights, light matches, smoke or do anything that could cause a spark.
  • Do not return to the house until you are told it is safe to do so.
  • Your electrical system may have been damaged. If you see frayed wiring or sparks when you restore power, or if there is an odor of something burning but no visible fire, you should immediately shut off the electrical system at the main circuit breaker.
  • Once you have established that no structural, electrical, or gas-related hazards exist in your home, dry and disinfect all materials inside the house to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
  • If your power is out, safely use a generator or candles.
  • Keep generators outside and far away from windows, doors and vents. Read both the label on your generator and the owner’s manual and follow the instructions.
  • Never use a generator inside a home, basement, shed or garage even if doors and windows are open.
  • If using candles, please use caution. If possible, use flashlights instead. If you must use candles, do not burn them on or near anything that can catch fire.
  • Avoid plugging emergency generators into electric outlets or hooking them directly to your home’s electrical system – they can feed electricity back into the power lines, putting you and line workers in danger.
  • Avoid downed power or utility lines; they may be live with deadly voltage. Stay away and report them immediately; call 800-4-Outage or 1-800-468-8243. Do not call 911 to report downed power lines.
  • For a life-threatening situation and need rescue, call 911 first.
  • Miami-Dade County up-to-date information, call 311 or visit miamidade.gov/emergency.

DON’T FORGET

  • Contact your mortgage lender right away and tell them about your situation. Damage to your home does not eliminate your responsibility to pay your mortgage, however your lender may be willing to work with you given the circumstances. If you don’t have your lender’s contact information, your monthly mortgage statement, or coupon book with you, you can search the Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems (MERS) or call toll-free at 888-679-6377 to find the company that services your mortgage.
  • Contact your credit card companies and other lenders if your income is interrupted or your expenses go up, and you don’t think you will be able to pay your credit cards or other loans, be sure to contact your lenders as soon as possible. Ask your creditor to work with you. Explain your situation and when you think you might be able to resume normal payments. It is important to make those calls before your next payments are due.
  • Contact your utility companies if your home is damaged to the point you can’t live in it, ask the utility companies to suspend your service. This could help free up money in your budget for other expenses.
  • After contacting the companies related to your most urgent financial needs, take a look at your bills and set priorities – including your mortgage, rent and insurance payments. Given the countless people experiencing distress from the flooding, contacting your creditors may be difficult. Be persistent and make every effort to reach them.

SCAM ALERTS

As people begin to recover and repair their homes, everyone needs to be vigilant against those who wish to scam victims of Hurricane Irma:

  • ALWAYS contact your insurance company before you hire a contractor. If the storm damaged your home, car, or property and you have insurance, you can start the claims process by calling your insurance company. If you plan to claim damages related to flooding or storm damage, you should verify that you have the right kind of coverage. If you don’t have a copy of your insurance policy, you can ask for one. Ask for an electronic copy of your policy – receiving physical mail may be difficult following the flood. That will help you verify your coverage. If possible, take photos and videos of your damaged property. Documenting damage will help you with your insurance claim.

Watch out for:

  • People who want you to pay up-front fees to help you claim services, benefits, or get loans.
  • Contractors selling repairs door-to-door, especially when they ask to receive payment up front or offer deep discounts.
  • Con artists posing as government employees, insurance adjusters, law enforcement officials, or bank employees. It is easy to fake credibility and uniforms, so do not give out personal information to people you don’t know.
  • Government employees never charge to help you get a benefit or service and will never ask for payment or financial information.
  • Fake charities. Normally, legitimate organizations do not have similar names to government agencies or other charities; so if they do, it may be a scam. Never give out donations over the phone.
  • Limited time offers. Anyone who offers you something and tells you that it is for a very limited time may be trying to pressure you into something that you could later regret. You should never be pressured to make a decision on the spot or to sign anything without having enough time to review it. Take your time, read and understand anything presented to you, and ask a trusted friend, relative, or attorney before acting.   

GENERAL HEALTH AND WELFARE

  • Florida has several agencies to assist people in need of medical attention. To learn more, call the Department of Health at 850-245-4444 or online at floridahealth.gov
  • Rehabilitative Outpatient Services at Miami Dade College North Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime (TASC) will be provided at the New Direction Residential Treatment Facility, 140 NW 76 Street, Miami, until further notice.
  • Adult and Senior Centers – The Homestead Adult Day Care Center remains closed until further notice.

Weather-Related Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides eligible households with a maximum of $1,000 in emergency energy-related benefits for expenses incurred as a result of the storm. Residents must provide proof that the current crisis situation is directly related to Hurricane Irma. Household income must be at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines.

For more information or to apply, visit or call any CAHSD Community Resource Center:

HURRICANE PETS RESCUE

Hurricane Pets Rescue (HPR) rescues pets and reunites them with their families following every major disaster.  Become a HPR first responder or a foster parent for an Irma pet. For Disaster Relief Assistance, email: DFAssistance@hurricanepetsrescue.org 

Miami-Dade County information

AFFORDABLE HOUSING RESOURCES

Online housing resources and existing housing programs currently available. Please note that some programs have waiting lists and may currently be closed for new applications.

ANIMAL SERVICE

The Homestead Community Spay/Neuter Clinic is closed until further notice.

Kitten Cuddler training held on Saturdays at 1 pm is postponed until further notice. For information on the Kitten Cuddler program, please email asdfoster@miamidade.gov.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PARKS

Miami-Dade Parks has resumed normal operations at most parks and their recreation centers. Call the individual park for more details as well as for updated information on event cancellations.

Programs

All after-school and Fit2Lead programs have resumed. Most Disability Services programs have resumed, except at Live Like Bella Park and Arcola Lakes Park. Check with the facility or location to confirm program times.

Coming openings
Parks continues to assess damages to all of its facilities and encourages residents to wait until the all clear before venturing out.

  • Zoo Miami – Scheduled to reopen Saturday, October 14 with 50 percent off admission October 14 and 15.
  • Crandon Park – North parking lots 1 and 2 to reopen Saturday, October 14. The Gardens will remain closed.
  • Greynolds Park – Boathouse area will reopen Saturday, October 14.

Closed

Parks continues to assess damages to all of its facilities and encourages residents to wait until the all clear before venturing out. The following sites are closed:

  • Chapman Field Park – Remains closed pending debris removal
  • Fruit & Spice Park (Mango Café is open)
  • Pelican Island
  • Trail Glades Range

Partially-open

  • Amelia Earhart Park has opened portions of the park as well as the soccer stadium. The dog park, bike trails and disc golf remain closed.
  • Greynolds Park is partially open.
  • Tropical Park soccer fields are open for play. The tennis center and boxing center are also open. All other areas of the park remain closed.

Athletic fields at most community parks are open for play. Work continues at larger regional parks. Call the park prior to your visit at 305-755-7910 for more information.

TOLLS

Highway tolls have resumed with the following exception:

Tolls will remain suspended on the Homestead Extension of Florida’s Turnpike south of the interchange with State Road 874 (Don Shula Expressway) to assist Monroe County residents with recovery efforts.

WASTE COLLECTION

The first pass for hurricane debris collection has begun. These post-hurricane debris pickups do not count against residents’ available bulky waste pickups. There is no need to schedule hurricane debris collection. Hurricane debris collection will take time; please be patient.

Bulky waste scheduling remains suspended until further notice. Scheduling through 311, online and through the telephone app is not available. There is no need to schedule hurricane debris collection.

WATER AND SEWER

The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department will waive late fees for bills not paid by the due date and will not disconnect water services until October 30.. The regular billing process will resume on October 31.

 

In limited instances where meter readers are unable to read get actual readings from meters covered with debris or other obstructions, those customers’ bills will be estimated based on previous consumption during this billing cycle only.

 

Customer service call center is handling larger call volumes and callers may experience longer than normal wait times. Patience is asked of all customers. Customers are encourage to use website to get answers to frequently asked questions and use the services offered online, including starting, stopping and transferring services, and bill payments.

2019-02-04T18:20:14-04:00 September 15th, 2017|