My Safe Florida Home program - eligibility and how to apply
My Safe Florida Home is a state program run by the Florida Department of Financial Services that gives eligible homeowners a free wind-mitigation inspection and grants of up to $10,000 toward hurricane upgrades such as impact windows and doors, roof-to-wall connections and secondary water barriers. You need a homesteaded, site-built, owner-occupied home, and grants are limited to low- and moderate-income applicants. Apply at mysafeflhome.com.
As of October 20, 2026. The program depends on yearly funding from the Florida Legislature, and its rules and application windows change. Applications open in phases by priority group, and the program site says dates are announced there. Confirm everything at mysafeflhome.com before you sign a contract. This page summarizes the program site and state law; it is not affiliated with the program.
What the program offers
- A free wind-mitigation inspection by an authorized Florida wind-mitigation inspector. The report lists recommended improvements, possible grant eligibility and estimated insurance discounts, and you can share it with your insurer (My Safe Florida Home).
- A grant of up to $10,000 toward the improvements the inspection recommends (My Safe Florida Home FAQs).
Eligible improvements under state law (s. 215.5586, F.S.):
- Opening protection: exterior doors, garage doors, windows and skylights
- Reinforcing roof-to-wall connections
- Strengthening roof-deck attachment
- Secondary water resistance, or replacing the roof covering
Only improvements recommended in your initial inspection and confirmed in the final inspection are paid.
Who is eligible
For the free inspection (s. 215.5586(1)):
- You have a homestead exemption on the home.
- It is a single-family home on its own parcel: detached, or attached and no more than three stories.
- It is site-built and owner-occupied.
The program lists as not eligible: apartments, duplexes and triplexes, condominiums, cooperatives, mobile and manufactured homes, second or vacation homes, and rentals (My Safe Florida Home). Condo owners can check the separate My Safe Florida Condo pilot.
For a grant, also (s. 215.5586(2)):
- Insured value of $700,000 or less.
- Built before January 1, 2008, as shown on the county property appraiser's website.
- An initial program inspection within the previous 24 months.
- You are low-income or moderate-income, and you agree to a final inspection and to report insurer discounts.
- Proof of current homeowners insurance (the program asks for your declarations page) and the name and license number of your contractor (FAQs).
How the money works
| Applicant | Grant |
|---|---|
| Low-income (at or below 80% of county median income) | Up to $10,000, no match required |
| Moderate-income (below 120% of county median income) | State pays $2 for every $1 you pay, up to $10,000 from the state |
Income limits are by county and family size. Example from the program: a $15,000 project could be reimbursed $10,000, with the homeowner paying $5,000 (FAQs; income groups from My Safe Florida Home).
- Reimbursement, not upfront. Payment is made by draw request after the work is done and passes final inspection.
- Do not start early. The program says: "Do not begin any mitigation construction PRIOR to receiving your official grant approval notice."
- Deadline. You have 18 months from grant approval to finish and request a final inspection, or the application is treated as abandoned (s. 215.5586(2)(j)).
Priority order
State law sets the order in which applications are accepted (s. 215.5586(2)(i)):
- Low-income homeowners aged 60 or older
- Other low-income homeowners
- Moderate-income homeowners aged 60 or older
- Other moderate-income homeowners
- All other inspection applicants
Groups 2 to 5 start 15, 30, 45 and 60 days after the program begins accepting applications. Grants themselves are limited to low- and moderate-income applicants.
How to apply
The program describes these steps (My Safe Florida Home):
- Check eligibility with the program's quiz and read its "How to Enter" flyer.
- Create an account in the participant portal.
- Complete the prioritization questionnaire.
- Wait to be placed in an inspection group (you get an email).
- Complete the inspection application; an inspector is assigned and you confirm a date.
- Review your report, then apply for a grant if your home qualifies.
- After approval, hire a Florida-licensed contractor (the program suggests getting at least three bids), pull permits, finish the work, and request the final inspection.
Questions: program FAQs, support center, or [email protected].
Insurance discounts
Florida law requires insurers to offer premium discounts for proven windstorm mitigation (s. 627.0629, F.S.). Send your inspection report, and later your final inspection, to your insurer and ask what discounts apply.
Watch for scams
The program says the state is not responsible for work done by contractors homeowners choose, and disputes are between you and the contractor. Check any contractor's license with the Florida DBPR, and be wary of anyone who says they can guarantee a grant.
Frequently asked questions
- Who qualifies for a free My Safe Florida Home inspection?
- Under section 215.5586, Florida Statutes, the home must have a homestead exemption, be a single-family home on its own parcel (detached, or attached and no more than three stories), and be site-built and owner-occupied. Condos, mobile and manufactured homes, rentals and second homes are not eligible, according to the program.
- How much is the My Safe Florida Home grant?
- Up to $10,000 from the state. Low-income applicants can receive up to $10,000 with no match. Other eligible applicants pay $1 for every $2 the state pays, so a $15,000 project could get $10,000 and the owner pays $5,000.
- Is there a home value limit for My Safe Florida Home?
- Yes. For a grant, the home must have an insured value of $700,000 or less and have been built (initial permit applied for) before January 1, 2008.
- Can I start the work before I am approved?
- The program says not to begin any mitigation construction before you receive your official grant approval notice. Grants are paid as reimbursement after the work passes a final inspection.
- Is the program open right now?
- Funding depends on yearly appropriations by the Florida Legislature and applications open in phases. Check mysafeflhome.com for current status before you plan a project around a grant.