My Safe Florida Home Eligibility Requirements: Who Qualifies for the Grant?
To qualify for a My Safe Florida Home grant, you must own a single-family home or townhouse in Florida with a homestead exemption, have a building permit dated before January 1, 2008, carry homeowners insurance, and meet income eligibility requirements. The program has separate requirements for the free inspection (which anyone can apply for) and the matching grant (which has stricter criteria). Understanding these requirements upfront can save you time and help you determine whether the program is right for your situation.
Free Wind Mitigation Inspection: Open to Most Florida Homeowners
The free wind mitigation inspection has minimal eligibility requirements. Any owner of a site-built, single-family detached home or townhouse in Florida can apply. There are no income restrictions, no home value limits, and no obligation to proceed with the grant application after receiving your inspection.
The inspection itself is valuable even if you don’t qualify for or pursue the grant. Your inspection report documents your home’s current hurricane-resistant features and can be shared with your insurance company to ensure you’re receiving all available wind mitigation discounts on your policy. Many homeowners save money on their premiums just from this step.
Note on townhouses: Townhouses are defined as single-family units constructed in a series of attached units separated by property lines. They must not exceed three stories in height. Townhouses are eligible for the free inspection and for grant funding, but only for opening protection improvements, not roof-related upgrades.
Matching Grant Eligibility: Homestead, Home Age, Value, and Insurance Requirements
To qualify for the matching grant portion of the program, you must meet all of the following requirements:
Completed program inspection: You must have received a wind mitigation inspection through the My Safe Florida Home Program. Inspections from other sources don’t qualify, it must be the official program inspection requested through mysafeflhome.com.
Homestead exemption: Your home must have a homestead exemption under Florida law, which means it must be your primary residence. Investment properties, rental properties, and second homes do not qualify.
Building permit before January 1, 2008: The initial building permit for your home’s construction must have been issued before this date. Homes built after 2007 were constructed under updated building codes that already require many hurricane-resistant features, so they’re excluded from the program.
Insured value of $700,000 or less: Your home’s insured value (Coverage A on your homeowners policy) must not exceed $700,000. This limit was increased from $500,000 in mid-2024. Low-income homeowners are exempt from this requirement.
Proof of homeowners insurance: All grant applicants must show proof of active homeowners insurance. This requirement was extended to low-income applicants starting in 2025 — previously, low-income homeowners were exempt.
Income Requirements: Low-Income and Moderate-Income Prioritization in 2026
For the 2025–2026 funding cycle, the My Safe Florida Home Program prioritizes low-income and moderate-income homeowners. Higher-income homeowners are not eligible for grants during this period, a change from previous years when the program was open to all income levels.
Low-income: Defined as total household income at or below 80% of the median income for your county of residence. Low-income homeowners receive priority in the application queue and can receive grants up to $10,000 without the matching requirement.
Moderate-income: Defined as household income above 80% but at or below 120% of the county median income. Moderate-income homeowners are eligible for matching grants (state pays $2 for every $1 you invest) but have lower priority than low-income applicants.
Income thresholds vary significantly by county because they’re based on local median incomes. A household that qualifies as low-income in one county might be moderate-income in another. The program uses HUD income guidelines and counts wages, assets, and certain other resources, adjusted for family size.
To check your eligibility, you can use the income estimator tools available on the program website or through various third-party resources. However, official eligibility verification happens through the program portal when you submit your grant application.
Application Windows: Age and Income-Based Prioritization Schedule
The program manages demand by opening grant applications in phases based on age and income level. This staggered approach prevents the system from being overwhelmed and ensures that the most vulnerable homeowners get first access to limited funding.
For the 2025–2026 cycle, application windows opened approximately two weeks apart in this order: low-income homeowners age 60 and over first, then low-income homeowners under 60, followed by moderate-income homeowners age 60 and over, and finally moderate-income homeowners under 60.
If you’ve already completed your inspection and verified your eligibility, monitor the program website at mysafeflhome.com for announcements about when your application window opens. Applying as soon as your window opens improves your chances of receiving funding before the annual allocation is exhausted.
Properties and Situations That Do NOT Qualify for My Safe Florida Home
Understanding what’s excluded can help you avoid wasting time on an application that won’t be approved:
Condominiums: Individual condo units are not eligible for the standard My Safe Florida Home Program. There is a separate My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program for condo associations, but individual unit owners cannot apply through the homeowner program.
Mobile homes and manufactured housing: The program covers only site-built homes. Mobile homes, manufactured homes, and modular homes are not eligible.
Rental and investment properties: Without a homestead exemption, a property doesn’t qualify. This excludes landlords, investors, and owners of vacation rentals.
Homes built after 2007: If your building permit was issued on or after January 1, 2008, your home was built under updated codes and is not eligible.
Higher-income households (for 2025–2026): If your household income exceeds 120% of your county’s median income, you are not eligible for grants during this funding cycle.
Storm Smart Works with Eligible My Safe Florida Home Applicants
If you meet the eligibility requirements and your inspection recommends opening protection improvements, Storm Smart can help you complete your project. As an authorized contractor, our hurricane shutters, impact windows and doors, and Storm Catcher Hurricane Screens all qualify for grant funding.
Keep in mind that Storm Smart does not verify eligibility or process grant applications, that’s handled entirely through the state program at mysafeflhome.com. Once you have your grant approval, contact us for a free consultation to discuss your options.
Schedule a Free Storm Smart Consultation
Have your My Safe Florida Home grant approval? Storm Smart is ready to help you complete your hurricane protection project. Contact us for a free consultation and quote.
