TEAM Leon Individual Assistance Program

TEAM Leon for individuals provides financial assistance to households in unincorporated Leon County (outside the City of Tallahassee limit) affected by the May 10, 2024, tornadoes. Affected households may have experienced residential home damage, personal property damage (i.e., vehicle, electronics, equipment, etc.), utility service disruption, and/or loss of food/medication. Funding provided by the TEAM Leon Program is given only for serious unmet needs and necessary expenses directly caused by the May 10 tornado event. A “serious need” is an item essential to the daily life of any individual or family. 

TEAM Leon Program funding may assist with eligible items not covered by other grant programs, including federal assistance provided under the FEMA Individuals and Household Program. TEAM Leon for individuals provides up to $3,500 to eligible applicants for the following:

• $1,500 for Critical and Emergency Needs Assistance (i.e., food, minor residential home damage, car repairs, personal property damage, temporary housing relocation, tree removal, etc.) for needs that have not been awarded/reimbursed or are not expected to be awarded/reimbursed by any other source (i.e. FEMA, insurance, etc.).
• $2,000 for Major Property Damage to Owner-Occupied Residential Homes (i.e., severe roof damage, broken windows, etc.) for damage that has not been awarded/reimbursed or is not expected to be awarded/reimbursed by any other source (i.e. FEMA, insurance, etc.). To receive assistance for property damage, the property must be owner-occupied.

Financial assistance will be provided directly to applicants. 

Eligible applicants can apply beginning Thursday, May 23, at 10 a.m. at LeonCountyFL.gov/TEAM.

To be eligible, applicants must be 18 years or older, their households must reside in the unincorporated areas of Leon County (outside the City of Tallahassee limit), and they must have been affected by the May 10, 2024, tornadoes. This includes homeowners and renters. Renters are eligible to receive $1,500 for Critical and Emergency Needs Assistance as shown in Question #2.

Individuals and their households who reside within the City of Tallahassee limit, are under the age of 18 years old, and/or were not affected by the May 10, 2024, tornadoes are not eligible to apply for the TEAM Leon Individual Assistance Program. Additionally, organizations (i.e., businesses, not-for-profits, faith-based, etc.) are not eligible to apply for the TEAM Leon Individual Assistance Program. A separate program, the TEAM Leon Business Assistance Program, is available for businesses located in the unincorporated areas of Leon County that were affected by the May 10, 2024, tornadoes.

Each property address can only receive one type of eligible TEAM Leon assistance. If an individual’s business address is their home address, they are not eligible for both TEAM Leon Individual Assistance and Business Assistance. However, business owners may be eligible for Individual Assistance and Business Assistance if their home and business addresses in unincorporated Leon County are different and both locations were impacted by the May 10, 2024, tornadoes.

A household means one residential property or residence such as a single-family home, a mobile home, or an apartment unit. Only one eligible applicant will receive financial assistance per household.

Leon County will prioritize for review and award applications submitted during the first week of operation (Thursday, May 23, at 10 a.m. through Thursday, May 30, at 11:59 p.m.) from eligible applicants that meet the following criteria:

• Reside in residential homes that experienced major damage as assessed by the Leon County Emergency Management Damage Assessment Teams, OR
• Reside in residential homes along the path of the May 10, 2024, tornadoes.

All other applications will be reviewed in the order in which they were submitted, subject to funding availability.

The TEAM Leon Helpline is available to assist applicants with questions on the online application at 850-606-TEAM (8326), Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays.

Residents can visit any Leon County Public Library location during regular library hours for assistance with their applications.

Applicants will be required to upload the following documents with their applications:

1. A copy of the applicant’s valid government-issued ID, such as Florida driver’s license, Florida identification card, or passport.
2. Completed and signed W-9 form. This form will be provided in the online application for download.
3. If the applicant is a renter, a copy of a current unexpired lease.
   • The address on the lease must match the address on the application.
   • If the lease is expired, the applicant must upload the most recent copy of the lease and a statement signed by the landlord indicating the applicant still lives in the unit.
4. If the applicant is a homeowner, a copy of the deed, property tax bill, property appraiser information, or mortgage statement of the eligible home.

Applicants will receive email notification upon submission of their application. From there, the County’s processing team will review applications for completion and follow up via email regarding any missing documentation or additional information that may be needed. Once completed applications have been reviewed for eligibility, applicants will be notified via email whether they have been approved or denied. YOU MUST CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR COMMUNICATION FROM LEON COUNTY; YOU WILL NOT BE CONTACTED BY PHONE.

In addition to email updates from the County’s processing team, applicants can check the status of their application through the online portal or by contacting the TEAM Leon Helpline at 850-606-TEAM (8326), Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays.

Applicants will be able to indicate in their application how they would like to receive payment. Applicants will have the option to receive their payment by mail to the address listed in their application or pick up their check from the Office of Human Services and Community Partnerships, 615 East Paul Russell Road. If an applicant wants to pick up their check in person, they will be notified via email when their check is available for pick up.

Applicants who receive financial assistance through the TEAM Leon Individual Assistance Program may be required to report their award to other federal, state, or local programs, such as FEMA. As a result, this may impact the amount of financial assistance an applicant could receive from other programs.