Fort Myers, Fla., December 9, 2024 — In the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the American Red Cross has sheltered thousands of people, sent our emergency response vehicles into neighborhoods to deliver meals, snacks and relief items, and had volunteers provide emotional and spiritual support in addition to health services. Since landfall, the Red Cross has been working to get financial assistance into the hands of people across the impacted states whose homes were most affected. 

The Red Cross is reaching out directly to impacted households using a combination of Red Cross damage assessment information and partner data. If you’ve received an email or text from the Red Cross about the financial assistance program for Hurricanes Helene or Milton and have questions, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767), and our call center agents will be able to answer your questions. This program has been extended until December 20, 2024.

If you have not received a communication from Red Cross please visit www.redcross.org/helene_milton to learn more about the eligibility criteria for this program. 

Since our efforts in Florida began, the American Red Cross has been coordinating relief services with local emergency management officials and community partners across the state. With the help of partners, we’ve provided some 792,925 meals and snacks, and more than 72,000 relief items like cleaning and hygiene supplies for thousands of affected families in Florida. So far, this immediate assistance has helped families with the basics like groceries, gas, clothing, or help with rent and other bills. 

About the American Red Cross: 
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.