Escambia County Agency on Aging

HURRICANE DISASTER RELIEF ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

Escambia County EMA would like to inform residents impacted by the recent hurricane that Samaritan’s Purse is offering FREE disaster relief assistance to eligible homeowners throughout the affected areas.

Available services include:
• Debris cleanup
• Chainsaw work
• Temporary roof tarping

Assistance is provided at no cost to homeowners with little or no insurance. Services are prioritized based on need and volunteer availability.

To Request Assistance:
Call 833-747-1234, Option 4

Local Relief Operations Location:
First Baptist Church Brewton
324 Belleville Avenue
Brewton, AL 36426

Volunteer Opportunities:
Individuals or groups interested in assisting with recovery efforts may call 251-369-0377.

Escambia County EMA encourages residents to share this information with neighbors, family members, and others who may need assistance.

Please help us ensure these valuable resources reach those most impacted by the storm.

🌀 STORM CLEANUP ASSISTANCE: Call the Crisis Cleanup hotline at 1-800-451-1954

BRACE is urging Escambia and Santa Rosa county residents affected by Hurricane Isaias to call the Crisis Cleanup hotline at 1-800-451-1954 to request assistance with tree work, debris cleanup, roof tarping, mucking out and gutting storm-damaged homes.

Crisis Cleanup records requests and makes them available to participating relief organizations. Depending on available volunteers and resources, assistance may include:

• Cutting and removing fallen trees.
• Clearing storm debris.
• Installing temporary roof tarps.
• Removing mud and water-damaged belongings.
• Removing damaged drywall and other materials through mucking and gutting.

Assistance provided through participating volunteer organizations is free. Submitting a request does not guarantee service or a specific response time.

Applications are now open for the Alabama Forestry Commission’s Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program. 🌳

Applications must be submitted by October 22 at 5 p.m. for consideration.

Eligible non-industrial private forest landowners can apply for cost-share assistance to help improve the health of loblolly and shortleaf pine stands and reduce their susceptibility to southern pine beetle outbreaks.

Eligible practices include:
• Commercial thinning — $100 per acre
• Non-commercial thinning — $300 per acre
• Up to $10,000 in total reimbursement per landowner

This program is intended for prevention practices only and does not provide assistance for individual tree removal or remediation.

Ready to see if your property qualifies? Visit forestry.alabama.gov and select the Landowner Assistance Application Portal, then choose 2026 Alabama Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Program.

AFC staff will review applications and contact eligible landowners with further instructions. Applicants approved for reimbursement will also need to be registered as a vendor with the State of Alabama through STAARS Vendor Self Service.

Citizen Damage Reporter Step 4: Document Upload Upload photos or supporting documents for your disaster assistance application. Supporting Documents File Document Type Description (optional)

Have you checked your Medicare mail lately? 📬

Your important Medicare documents should have arrived by the end of September, making now the perfect time to review them before Medicare Open Enrollment begins this week on October 15.

✔️ Original Medicare? Review your Medicare & You handbook.
✔️ Medicare Advantage or Part D? Review your ANOC and EOC for any changes in costs, coverage, providers, pharmacies, or prescription drugs.

These documents outline any changes to costs, coverage, provider networks, pharmacies, and prescription drugs for 2027. Even if you're happy with your current plan, coverage can change from year to year, so it's worth confirming that your plan still meets your needs.

Need assistance reviewing your options? SHIP offers unbiased health insurance counseling at no cost to you.