As the holiday season approaches, Pinellas County residents have begun receiving checks from the People First Hurricane Recovery Programs. The initiative helps locals cover rebuilding costs and recover from recent hurricane damage.
Pinellas County Commission Chairman Brian Scott personally delivered the first disaster relief check to a Seminole family displaced by hurricanes Helene and Milton. The county stated that hundreds of millions of dollars remain available for residents to rebuild, and encourages those still facing hardships to apply.
Since the program began in October, over 3,700 applications have been filed. This represents only a portion of the $813 million available through Pinellas Recovers grants, which can help cover rebuilding costs, past repairs, lost income, and other storm-related expenses.
The county programs prioritize lower-income residents but are open to anyone earning up to 120% of the Area Median Income ($87,600 for a single person or $125,150 for a family of four), according to Pinellas County. The Local Landlord Program has no income limits and helps refurbish rental units for affordable housing.
Residents can access assistance online, in person at two county offices, or by phone. A portion of the federal grant funds will also support small businesses, nonprofits, and infrastructure projects. St. Petersburg residents can apply through Sunrise St. Pete, a program funded by the same federal aid.
