First hurricane recovery checks sent to residents<\/p>\n
Just in time for the holidays, Pinellas County is distributing the first of many checks for the People First Hurricane Recovery Programs.<\/p>\n
Pinellas County Commission Chairman Brian Scott personally delivered the first disaster relief check to a family in Seminole who were forced to move from their rental home after hurricanes Helene and Milton.<\/p>\n
The family represents just one story among thousands who have applied for help so far. \u201cWe have hundreds of millions of dollars still available for the people of Pinellas to finish rebuilding their lives, so we encourage anyone with ongoing needs to apply today,\u201d Scott said.<\/p>\n
While more than 3,700 people have applied for help since the programs opened in October, these applications represent only a fraction of the financial help still available through the county\u2019s $813-million Pinellas Recovers grant funds.<\/p>\n
The grants are available to people who lived in Pinellas during hurricanes Idalia, Helene or Milton and still have unmet financial needs, including rebuilding homes to meet codes, reimbursement for code-compliant repairs, support for lost income or storm-related expenses, down payment and mortgage assistance for homebuyers and a program for local landlords to repair units for affordable housing.<\/p>\n
Per federal guidelines, the programs prioritize vulnerable residents with lower incomes, but help is available for anyone who makes up to 120 percent of the Area Median Income \u2013 that\u2019s $87,600 for an individual or $125,150 for a household of four. There are no income limits for the Local Landlord Program.<\/p>\n
The online application is posted online at recover.pinellas.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n Help is also available in-person Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. \u2013 5 p.m. at:<\/p>\n \u2022 2600 McCormick Drive, Suite 100, Clearwater<\/p>\n \u2022 5000 Park St., Suite 4, St. Petersburg<\/p>\n Call 727-606-3307 to speak with a case worker during the same hours.<\/p>\n Pinellas residents can apply online at recover.pinellas.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n Anyone in Pinellas is encouraged to apply to the People First programs, except for residents of St. Petersburg \u2013 the city recently launched its own recovery program using the same federal grant funds, Sunrise St. Pete.<\/p>\n How to dispose of Christmas trees and other holiday waste<\/p>\n Pinellas County residents can find out how to recycle or dispose of Christmas trees, holiday decorations and gift packaging by using the Where Does It Go? Search Tool at pinellas.gov\/where<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Where Does It Go? Search Tool includes Christmas tree collection and drop-off information for Pinellas County. Once on the site, select \u201cHomes\u201d and search \u201cChristmas trees\u201d to find reuse and disposal options. Remove all decorations and lights before tree pickup or drop-off.<\/p>\n Many local governments in Pinellas County offer programs that repurpose natural Christmas trees into mulch and provide the mulch for free to residents for their landscaping. This gives the trees a second life and helps conserve our limited landfill space.<\/p>\n Not everything festive belongs in your recycling bin. Here\u2019s what to include and what to keep out.<\/p>\n Do recycle:<\/p>\n \u2022 Wrapping paper (no foil, plastic or glitter gift wrap)<\/p>\n \u2022 Cardboard boxes<\/p>\n \u2022 Paper boxes<\/p>\n \u2022 Paper cards and envelopes (no glitter, plastic or foil)<\/p>\n \u2022 Catalogs<\/p>\n \u2022 Glass bottles and jars<\/p>\n \u2022 Plastic bottles and jugs<\/p>\n \u2022 Aluminum, tin and steel cans<\/p>\n Don\u2019t recycle:<\/p>\n \u2022 Christmas lights<\/p>\n \u2022 Garland and tinsel<\/p>\n \u2022 Foil wrapping paper<\/p>\n \u2022 Ribbons and bows<\/p>\n \u2022 Bubble wrap<\/p>\n \u2022 Plastic air pillows<\/p>\n \u2022 Styrofoam and other foam products<\/p>\n \u2022 Paper and plastic plates<\/p>\n \u2022 Plastic utensils<\/p>\n \u2022 Plastic bags<\/p>\n