SARASOTA COUNTY — The federal government has approved five more counties, including Sarasota, to be included in the Tropical Storm Debby declaration for individual assistance.

IA makes federal and state assistance available to individuals, families and businesses that have experienced uninsured losses from declared natural disasters. People and businesses in Citrus, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Polk and Sarasota counties are now eligible, for a total of 22 counties. FEMA IA community relations teams will be canvassing Sarasota County beginning today and working through the weekend. Their mission is to talk to impacted residents and business owners who have reported uninsured losses from the June storm, and assist them with the initial registration process. Residents and business owners who sustained losses in Sarasota County should begin applying for IA by registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov or calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-467-7585 (TTY) from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week. To apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, an application must be made by Aug. 16 to be eligible. For more information, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 or visit www.scgov.net and click on the “All Hazards” link under Public Safety.