Southwest Floridians ages 60 and older – regardless of income – may be eligible for special grant money to help with hurricane recovery.

The Area Agency on Aging – formerly Senior Solutions – is sitting on nearly $4 million in federal disaster money that it must distribute before November 30th.

Folks 60 and over in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Sarasota Counties are eligible… again, regardless of income.

Program Coordinator Crystal Ribarzick says the money is aimed at older hurricane victims who are either uninsured, or under-insured…

“And that’s the situation that many of our seniors are finding themselves in…is that they have some money from insurance, and it’s covering some things, but unfortunately it’s not covering everything they need and so these sources are out there to kind of fill in the gaps.”

The grant money covers things like home repairs and debris cleanup.

In Charlotte and DeSoto Counties, volunteers will come to seniors homes to help them fill out paperwork.

Anyone interested should call the Area Agency on Aging in Lee County… or go to their website SENIORSOLUTIONS.org.

In related news…the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – or HUD – has awarded $9 million each to Charlotte and DeSoto Counties—to help fund critical recovery needs following last years’ hurricanes.

That money will be used to repair or replace public infrastructure, provide housing and help boost local economies.