FEMA's Transitional Sheltering Assistance extended for eligible participants

ORLANDO, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - FEMA has announced that the Florida Hurricane Irma survivors receiving Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) may receive an extension to stay temporarily in hotels while they look for other places to live. 

They went on to say if eligible, hotel stays for survivors will be extended from Sunday, February 11th to Saturday, March 10th with a checkout date of Sunday, March 11th. Interim reviews will determine some participants to be ineligible beyond Saturday, February 24th. Applicants must meet certain requirements to remain eligible. 

FEMA says that they will automatically notify eligible applications. Participants must be registered with FEMA and be eligible for disaster assistance. TSA participants who are eligible will receive a phone call telling them what they need to do to remain at their current hotel or find a new one. 

Eligible applicants must reportedly find and book their own hotel rooms. The list of participating hotels can be found HERE and HERE or by phoning the FEMA help line at 800-621-3362.

FEMA says that survivors may be ineligible if: 

• Their home is accessible and determined to be in a condition for safe residency.
• They have insurance and have not provided any documentation regarding award or denial.
• They are not progressing on their long-term housing solution.

FEMA has reportedly extended the TSA program five times now to accommodate the temporary housing needs of Hurricane Irma survivors. TSA pays the hotel directly for the room and any applicable taxes for short-term stays. 

FEMA says that more than 27,000 households in Florida have participated in the program and about 1,900 remain.