Hotel Stays Extended For Eligible Hurricane Irma Survivors In TSA Program

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Florida - Eligible Hurricane Irma survivors who are getting Transitional Shelter Assistance (TSA) may be eligible for an extension to temporarily stay in hotels as they look for an alternative place to live.

The TSA program, which pays for short-term hotel stays, has extended the checkout date from Nov. 5 to Dec. 3. People who are benefiting from the program should get a phone call to tell them whether or not they're eligible for the extension and what they need to do to stay at their current hotel or how to find a new hotel. Applicants do need to meet certain requirements in order to remain eligible.

Irma survivors who aren't currently in the program but who may be eligible for it will be notified automatically. TSA participants have to be registered with FEMA and they must be eligible for disaster assistance. FEMA is responsible for paying for the room and any taxes associated with the hotel stay. Applicants will be responsible for all other costs, like meals and transportation. Hotels may require a credit card for those incidental expenses.

A household of four or fewer people is authorized to get one hotel room, while a household of five or more is eligible for additional rooms based on a limit of four people per room. It is required that each room have at least one person aged 18 or older.

TSA eligible applicants are expected to find and book their own hotels. To find participating hotels go to DisasterAsisstance.gov, FEMAEvacHotels.com, or call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362. For TTY, call 800-462-7585. For 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

Applicants with disabilities should check with hotels to make sure that appropriate accommodations are available. People with pets should check to see if hotels will allow pets.

For more information on Hurricane Irma and Florida recovery, visit FEMA.gov/IrmaFL, check the @FEMARegion4 Twitter account, or go to the Florida Division of Emergency Management website, FloridaDisaster.org.

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