Okaloosa County Housing Department is preparing disaster recovery housing assistance for eligible homeowners and households affected by Hurricane Isaias. It covers homes damaged and households financially impacted by the storm.

• All assistance is subject to program requirements, funding availability, and an eligibility determination.
• Assistance is provided as a grant of up to $10,000 per household and does not need to be repaid. The program serves residents of Okaloosa County, including the City of Fort Walton Beach.
• Applications must be received before the disaster executive order expires. The FEMA disaster assistance application deadline is December 26, 2026.

Prior to applying, be sure to contact your insurance company and/or FEMA first to determine if you are eligible for assistance thorugh them

Types of assistance

Insurance and other assistance

You cannot receive duplicate assistance for the same expense from federal, state, local, or charitable programs. All applicants must disclose other disaster assistance received or applied for.

• If Insured: file a claim with your insurer first. After the damage assessment, send the County documentation of approved repairs, coverage amount, and deductible. Staff will determine what is uncovered; a deductible of up to $5,000 may be paid for eligible repairs. 
• If Uninsured: you must apply to other sources first, such as FEMA or charitable organizations. Proof of those applications and any awards may be required.

Eligibility

• A household's income must be at or below the limit for its size. Renters applying for rent and utility assistance must meet the income limit. 
•  Homeowners must be current on property taxes and have a homestead exemption claimed.
• The homeowner must have occupied the home for the past 3 years.
• Payments on the first mortgage must be current.
• Mobile and manufactured homes are ineligible for assistance. 

How to apply

1.  Review Eligibility. Check the eligibility requirements above before submitting a pre-application questionnaire.
2.  Complete the Pre-application Questionnaire HERE. Staff will conduct a preliminary eligibility assessment with this information.
3. Submit Your Questionnaire. Email the completed questionnaire to housing@myokaloosa.com. Please include your name and property address in the email.
4. Wait for Further Instructions. County staff will review the questionnaire to determine preliminary eligibility. Applicants who meet the preliminary eligibility requirements will be placed on the waitlist. The County will contact waitlisted applicants regarding next steps and the formal application process. Waitlist placement does not guarantee final eligibility, funding availability, or approval for assistance.

A prelimnary questionnaire is not a formal application and does not gurantee approval.

Documents to Gather

• Prepare these for all applicable household members. Staff may request more.
• Proof of Identity for each household member (may include driver’s license, birth certificate, or passport)
• Most recent, consecutive 2 months of paystubs for ALL household members
• Self-employment: Year to date profit and loss statement (January – present) plus last 2 years of tax returns
• Most recent Social Security, SSI, or SSD benefit statement letter
• Current VA/pension documentation showing the monthly benefit
• Child support documentation, if any
• Most recent consecutive 3 months statements for all accounts: checking, savings, Cash App, Venmo, Apple Pay, PayPal, and all others
• Current mortgage statement, if any
• Homeowners insurance policy showing coverage limits and deductible, if insured
• Insurance claim settlement or denial letter showing approved repairs, amount of coverage, deductible, and any repairs not covered, if insured
• Application to FEMA and other available assistance programs, with award or denial letters, if uninsured 

Additional documentation will be requested as needed to determine eligibility and the amount or type of assistance available. Please wait for further instructions from Housing Department staff regarding submission of your formal application and supporting documents.