How To Receive Up to $10,000 from My Safe Florida Home Program

chris

August 18, 2023

Homeowners Insurance

Living in a state prone to hurricanes can be a bit overwhelming, not to mention scary when the season approaches. Ensuring your home is safe and secure during a hurricane is crucial to protecting your family and belongings. Luckily, there is a Florida State program that can help you with up to $10,000 to harden your house against severe weather! The My Safe Florida Home program was designed to assist Florida homeowners who want to make their homes safer. This means that by applying for this program, you can improve your home’s resistance to hurricane damage and benefit from the state’s financial support. In this blog post, we’ll go over everything you need to know about the My Safe Florida Home program, eligibility requirements, and how to apply.

What is the My Safe Florida Home Program?

The My Safe Florida Home program aims to help Florida homeowners reduce the risk of hurricane damage by providing free home inspections and matching grants of up to $10,000 for eligible homeowners. The grant can be used to make approved improvements that will harden your home against severe weather, such as roof repair, storm shutters, and reinforced doors. 

Who is Eligible For the Program?

The following criteria will be used to determine whether you are eligible for the program.

• You must have received a free home hurricane inspection through the My Safe Florida Home Program.
• You must provide proof of homestead exemption. 
• You must provide documentation that your home is insured for less than $700,000 and provide a copy of your current property insurance declarations page. 
• The initial building construction permit for the home must have been issued prior to January 1, 2008. 
• Homeowners must allow the home to be re-inspected after construction work has been completed. This re-inspection is provided at no cost by the Department of Financial Services through the My Safe Florida Home Program.
• Low-income applicants must be below the 80% household median income percentile in their county of residence to qualify. 

How to Apply For the Program?

The first step in applying for the program is to visit the My Safe Florida Home website and complete an application form. Once your application is received, a representative from the program will contact you to schedule a home inspection. The inspector will assess your home’s vulnerability to hurricanes and suggest recommended improvements that will qualify for the grant. Afterward, your inspection report is uploaded to the system.  Once reviewed and processed, you receive an email notification that you can now go back to your inspection account to open and submit your grant application if you choose. Finally, if your application is approved, you will receive a grant award notification with instructions on how to proceed with the improvements.

What Are the Benefits of the Program?

The prime benefit of the Florida Hurricane Hardening Program is that it offers financial aid for homeowners to fortify their homes and make them more hurricane-resistant. This is particularly important if you live in an area prone to strong tropical storms. The funding helps homeowners purchase and install new windows and doors that meet Florida’s high standards for hurricane protection. It also covers the cost of adding storm shutters, reinforcing roofs, and strengthening a home’s foundation to withstand strong winds and flying debris.

Homeowners Benefit 

With the My Safe Florida Home program, homeowners can now benefit from the state’s financial support to protect their homes against hurricanes. By applying for the program and completing the recommended improvements, you can enhance your home’s safety and security against severe weather conditions. So, now that you know about the My Safe Florida Home program, take advantage of this opportunity and protect your Florida home from hurricanes!