Anne Bendel of West Boca Raton completed $8,000 in storm mitigation work on her home and submitted all required documentation for a My Safe Florida Home grant, but her application remains stuck in review. My Safe Florida Home then told her in May that her status was complete. One week later, representatives asked for more documentation: a permit of completion for a large impact window. After she provided it, questions arose about dates, sending her application back under review. Bendel says she has completed the work, obtained the permits, and secured the required insurance.
Bendel describes herself as persistent and thorough but says the grant process has pushed her to her limits. She handles the entire process on her phone without a computer and has no one to help her.
The My Safe Florida Home program provides grants of up to $10,000 to help homeowners across the state fortify homes against storms and earn insurance discounts. Bendel questions whether the program is being fair, noting that each time she completes a task, representatives seem to find another requirement. Bendel says her confidence in the program's promises is being shaken as she waits to see if she will receive any grant money.