Recovery assistance workshop taking place for Hurricane Matthew victims

For most of us, Hurricane Matthew was a major inconvenience.

For others, it's been devastating.

It's those people in St. Johns County who might be getting government help starting tomorrow morning.

All kinds of local, state and federal agencies will be at the Gallimore Center (399 Riberia Street) in St. Augustine for a recovery assistance workshop that opens at 10 a.m. Friday and runs until 4 p.m. that day.

The workshop - which is being hosted by Florida Senator Marco Rubio, House Representative Ron DeSantis and St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Shaver - is described as a one-stop shop for anyone who needs help getting back on their feet.

"Rebuilding after a major disaster like Hurricane Matthew is not a quick or easy process," DeSantis noted. "Federal and state agencies will be on-hand to help those who have been affected by Hurricane Matthew to submit applications and process claims. I encourage residents who have questions or need assistance to stop by and learn more about the resources available to them."

Among the agencies expected to attend are the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration.

FEMA and the SBA are teaming up to offer special loans for businesses who suffered damage from Matthew. That's what Florida Senator Bill Nelson said while he did a damage assessment visit in St. Augustine yesterday.

"They can get low-interest loans over 30 years to rebuild their businesses," Nelson added. "The Small Business Administration would supply loans over and above what [business owners] would get back from their insurance policy."

Also expected to attend the workshop are the American Red Cross, CareerSource, Catholic Charities, Florida SBDC Network, People's Trust Insurance Company, St. Johns County Animal Control, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and the United Way.

Various state agencies will also be there, including the departments of Children and Families, Economic Opportunity, Elder Affairs, Emergency Management and Financial Services.

Also yesterday, Florida Governor Rick Scott announced that federal disaster unemployment assistance is now available for those who have lost work as a result of Hurricane Matthew and don't qualify for regular reemployment assistance benefits.

"Disaster Unemployment Assistance will provide necessary resources for individuals and families in Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties, but there are many areas along our east coast that still need the federal government's support," Scott added. "I continue to urge President Obama to make these designations today so all of the communities impacted by Hurricane Matthew can begin the recovery process."

On Monday, the federal government approved part of Governor Scott's request for a major disaster declaration, but it only applies to people living or working in those counties as well as Brevard and Indian River. Scott says he wants to extend that to all counties where Matthew had a significant impact.

"I have spoken firsthand with many families and business owners who were impacted by Hurricane Matthew," Scott stated. "We are committed to helping these communities fully recover from this devastating storm, and helping Floridians get back to work is one of the most important ways to do so."

The federal disaster unemployment assistance program covers self-employed individuals, farm and ranch owners and workers, fishers and others who usually aren't covered by state reemployment assistance benefits.

Anyone who wants to apply has to do so by November 18th and must have been either working or residing in Flagler, St. John, Volusia and Putnam during the storm.