Gunster remains committed to serving its team members, clients and communities. Following is a list of resources businesses can utilize for disaster relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

Business Response & Recovery Programs:

Florida Short Time Compensation for Employers Program
Description: Short-Time Compensation (STC) is a temporary alternative work style that will assist employers in keeping their workforce intact. The program permits prorated unemployment compensation benefits to employees whose work hours and earnings are reduced as part of an STC plan to avoid the total layoff of some employees. 
Phone: (850) 921-3253
Website: www.floridajobs.org

Florida Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Description: Unemployment benefits for individuals unemployed as a result of the disaster that are not covered by regular state or private unemployment insurance. Applicants have 30 days to file after the disaster is announced.
Phone: (800) 204-2418
Website: www.fluidnow.com

Florida Small Business Resource Network
Description: The Small Business Continuity Services Resource Network (SBCSRN) is a database of Florida professionals identified to fill niche areas for recovery technical assistance in support of small businesses and the Florida economy.
Phone: (904) 620-2489
Website: www.sbrn.org

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Description: License, insurance, and consumer complaint information on building contractors
Phone: (800) 435-7352
Website: www.freshfromflorida.com

Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Description: An order can be given to reduce regulatory processes and provide flexibility for restoring services quickly during a disaster.
Phone: (850) 245-2118
Website: www.floridadep.org

Florida Department of Insurance
Description: Small Business Insurance information assistance
Phone: (850) 922-3132
Website: www.myfloridacfo.com

Florida Emergency Network Secure Site
Description: Log in for State agencies, EOC offices, City, and County to order supplies during a declared emergency.
Website: www.dms.myflorida.com

The Florida Emergency Supplier Network (Vendors)
Description: Identify and group needed commodities and services by type and/or distribution channel, based on experience. Coordinate suppliers of emergency commodities and services for membership in the FESN. Also collect and organize the information and make it accessible to government buyers during emergency operations.
Website: www.dms.myflorida.com

The Florida Emergency Purchasing Network (Volunteers)
Description: Coordinates purchasing volunteer efforts during declared emergencies, organizes the delivery of specialized training through the Division of Emergency Management. Also collects and organize the FEPN information and make it accessible to emergency logistics officials requiring procurement assistance during emergency operations.
Website: www.dms.myflorida.com/business_operations

Florida Department of Revenue
Description: The Florida Department of Revenue will waive penalties and interest during the period of emergency for impacted taxpayers who are unable to file returns and/or make payment of taxes on time. Phone: (800) 352-3671
Website: ritx-fl-sales.bswa.net

Visit Florida
Description: Visit Florida adopted complimentary Cover Your Event (CYE) Insurance. This supplemental insurance cover any costs directly related to re-booking a meeting should it be displaced due to a named hurricane/disaster. CYE ensures that you can plan your meeting with confidence and take full advantage of Florida’s unsurpassed venues any time of year, while benefiting from those outstanding summer and fall values.
Phone: (850) 205-3800
Website: www.visitflorida.org

Business Response & Recovery Programs: Federal

FEMA
Description: Disaster victims can obtain additional information and apply for disaster assistance through FEMA in various ways. A toll-free number has been established by FEMA for disaster victims to apply for certain types of disaster programs and obtain information about others. You can obtain information by calling.
Phone: (800) 621-FEMA (3362)
Website: www.fema.gov

SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration)
Description: Small businesses and small agricultural cooperatives suffering a substantial economic injury may be eligible for an economic injury disaster loan of up to $1.5 million to meet necessary financial obligations – Bills the company would have paid if the disaster had not occurred.
Phone: (800) 659-2955
Website: www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance

Physical Disaster Loans
SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration) Description: Businesses of all sizes may apply for a Physical Disaster Loan of up to 1.5 million to repair or replace damaged real estate, equipment, inventory and fixtures. These loans will cover uninsured or under-insured losses.
Phone: (800) 659-2955
Website: www.sba.gov

IRS Excise Tax
Description: IRS will waive tax penalties on disasters on a case-by-case basis.
Phone: (800) 829-1040
Website: www.irs.gov/businesses