My Safe Florida Home Program

How to apply for My Safe Florida Home and avoid costly mistakes

Secure Your Home and Finances: My Safe Florida Home Program

Don’t miss out on your chance to enhance your home’s safety and resilience with financial assistance from the My Safe Florida Home Program. Apply as soon as July 1st to avoid the disappointment of depleted funds-read below on how to apply!

Home Repair Improvements

When recommended by your home hurricane inspection, the My Safe Florida Home Program offers grant money for essential repair improvements to enhance your home’s resilience against hurricanes. These improvements include:

Roofs & Structure

  • Reinforce Roof-to-Wall Connections
  • Install Secondary Water Resistance for the Roof
  • Upgrade Roof Covering
  • Improve the Strength of Roof Deck Attachments

Openings

  • Exterior Door Upgrades
  • Garage Door Upgrades
  • Window Upgrades

Purchase & Insurance Savings

The program was established to fortify Florida homes against hurricanes while also providing financial savings to homeowners. You may be eligible to apply for a Matching grant, where for every $1 you provide, the state will contribute $2 towards the actual cost of an authorized mitigation project (or 2/3 of the project cost up to $10,000).

Additionally, there is no state sales tax (6%) on retail purchases of impact-resistant doors, impact-resistant garage doors, and impact-resistant windows from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024. By participating in the program, you may also potentially lower your home insurance premiums, further maximizing your savings while ensuring the safety and resilience of your home.

Beginning the Journey

To access grant funds, both those for matching grants and low-income applicants, certain prerequisites must be met:

  • Completion of the Free Home Wind Mitigation Inspection and Report
  • Qualification for a grant
  • Solicitation of quotes from MSFH-approved contractors
  • Selection of an approved MSFH contractor
  • Execution of mitigation upgrades outlined in the inspection report
  • Scheduling of a final inspection
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Claiming your Grant Funds

The reimbursement process commences only after the following steps have been fulfilled:

1. Final Home Inspection

  • Initiate a final inspection request via your portal to confirm completion of all upgrades.

2. Submission of Required Documentation

Low-Income Recipients:

  • Specify your contractor in your portal account and upload relevant documentation such as emails, letters, or new quotes from your insurance agent indicating available discounts.
  • Forward your Final Inspection Report to your insurance agent, who will furnish proof of premium discount documentation.

Matching Grant Recipients:

  • Invoice Cover Sheet
  • Original Contractor Invoice(s)
  • Proof of Payment (e.g., cancelled check, receipts, paid invoice)
  • Insurance Proof of Premium Discounts (e.g., email, letter, new quote from insurance agent)

3. Reimbursement Request

  • Input the grant amount for reimbursement and submit your request.

4. Receipt of Reimbursement Check

  • Upon approval, expect to receive a check via mail within 5-10 business days.
  • All reimbursement requests undergo a two-step review process. If any issues arise, you’ll receive email notifications with details for correction and resubmission.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do people really receive their money?

Yes, as of July 20, 2023, over $40 million in reimbursement grants have been distributed.

How does the program operate?

  1. Apply for Inspection:
  2. Receive Inspection Report:
    • Upon completion, the inspection report will identify existing hurricane-resistant features and suggest improvements.
  3. Qualify for Grant:
    • To be eligible, you must be a Florida resident with a primary residence in a site-built, single-family home or townhouse.
  4. Make Recommended Upgrades:
    • Select an approved MSFH contractor to execute the specified wind mitigation improvements outlined in the inspection report.
  5. Report Home Improvements:
    • After completing the upgrades, request a final inspection through your portal to confirm their implementation.
  6. Eligible for Lower Premiums:
    • Engage with your home insurance provider to explore potential premium discounts.
  7. Grant Reimbursement:
    • Following a final home inspection and submission of all required documents, payment will be disbursed.

Where can I find the list of approved contractors for the program?

The list of approved MSFH contractors is available within the portal for all approved grantees.

What is the time frame for receiving a grant?

The process typically takes about 90 days and involves applying for an inspection, receiving the inspection report, applying for a grant if eligible, and having the application reviewed and approved.

What documents do I need to upload to receive my money?

Required documents for reimbursement include the:

  • Invoice Cover Sheet
  • Original Contractor Invoice(s)
  • Proof of Payment (cancelled check, receipts, paid invoice)
  • Insurance proof of premium discounts (email, letter, new quote from insurance agent).

Do any expenses need to be covered by me?

Your inspection is free. Any expenses beyond your grant amount up to $10,000 are your responsibility.

How do I access the portal?

Visit www.MySafeFLHome.com and click the “access account” tab in the upper right corner to log into your account.

What comes next after the inspection is approved?

After inspection approval, you’ll receive notification and contact information for the assigned inspection firm. An inspector will then schedule a free inspection within one week.

How can I initiate the reimbursement process?

Begin the Reimbursement process by requesting a Final Inspection through the program. After completing this inspection, submit a Reimbursement Draw Request with all required documents.

What if I make a mistake on my Reimbursement Request?

If there’s an error on your Reimbursement Draw Request, it will be returned for resubmission. Watch for an email from “Neighborly Software” for details on what’s missing.

Where can I find the list of contractors approved for the program?

You will find the list of approved MSFH contractors in an email confirming your grant approval.

Do grants count as taxable income?

No, grants are not considered taxable income. For more information on tax matters, visit: Florida Department of Revenue – Sales Tax Holidays.

Useful Resources

Program Information

Important Program Changes v2 1
homeowners guide
Authorized Improvements Guide 1
Grant Reimbursement Process
How You Can Save on Your Home Insurance Policy 2
Why is Retrofitting Older Homes
MSFH Reimburments

Program Resources

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