The MSFH Program Draw Request is comprised of information and documentation submitted by an Applicant, via the Applicant Portal, to request a Final Inspection and Grant Disbursement. MSFH Program Final Inspection of the home must be requested by the Applicant and completed by a MSFH Program Inspector BEFORE the Applicant submits a Draw Request for Grant Disbursement.  

Final Inspections 

Once the Recommended Improvements are completed, Applicants will need to request a Final Inspection to initiate the Draw Request process. The Final Inspection is the concluding Hurricane Mitigation Inspection performed by an MSFH Program Inspector to identify any observed improvements that were successfully completed on the home. Applicants must request a MSFH Program Final Inspections upon completion of a Mitigation Project(s) before proceeding to the Draw Request stage. Applicants are not required to perform every eligible Recommended Improvement from the Initial Inspection Report. However, if multiple Recommended Improvements are being completed, ALL Mitigation Projects must be finished before requesting the Final Inspection.  

How To Schedule a Final Inspection  

Applicants should follow the steps listed below closely to request a Final Inspection: 

1. Confirm with the Contractor that ALL Mitigation Project improvements are complete. Once the Final Inspection has been performed, no additional Mitigation Projects can be performed and added.
2. Ensure all the permits are closed out and that the local Building Inspector’s Office has completed all required building inspections. A local building inspection is separate from a MSFH Program Final Inspection. Any Grant Disbursement is based on the MSFH Program’s Inspectors observations in a MSFH Final Inspection Report. 
3. Return to the Applicant Portal at https://mysafeflhome.com/ and request a Final Inspection for the home.

IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING FINAL INSPECTIONS 

Each Applicant will only have ONE (1) opportunity to request a Final Inspection. Once a Final Inspection is completed, additional projects cannot be performed. 

After an Applicant has requested a Final Inspection, an MSFH Case Manager will alert the Inspector and send a notification email. Final Inspections will be scheduled based on a queue.  

Final Inspection Reports

The Final Inspection Report results are uploaded into the Applicant Portal by the Inspector. The Applicant will receive an email within fourteen (14) days from the date of the Final Inspection notifying the Final Inspection Report has been uploaded to the Applicant Portal. Applicants will receive an email instructing them to review the Final Inspection Report in the Applicant Portal under the “Documents” tab.  

Each Final Inspection Report will contain the following: 

1. Cover Page 
2. Final Inspection Results 
3. Attachments 
   1. Form OIR-B1-1802 (Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form) signed by both the Inspector and the Applicant 
   2. Final Inspection photographs and documents

Final Inspection Results  

The Inspector will record notes and identify improvements that they observed during the Final Inspection. The following sample image demonstrates what this table may look like in the Final Inspection Report. The table will vary by home and depend on what the Inspector observes. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Once the Final Inspection is completed, the Applicant must submit the Final Inspection Report to their insurance provider and request potential discounts. Applicants do not need to receive a discount to receive Disbursement. 

Quality Control Inspections

A Quality Control Inspection may be completed to verify the accuracy of an Initial or Final Inspection. Quality Control Inspections are not typically provided and are used on a case-by-case basis.

Submitting a Draw Request 

Once the Inspector has completed the Final Inspection and uploaded the report into the Applicant Portal, AND the Applicant has submitted the Final Inspection Report to the insurance provider requesting potential discounts, the remaining Draw Request steps must be completed in the Applicant Portal:   

"Draw Request - Summary": In this step, the Applicant must: 

• Confirm the Contractor that completed the Mitigation Project(s); 
• Enter the start date of the Mitigation Project; and 
• Enter the total eligible invoice amount.

“Draw Request – Original Contractor’s Itemized Invoice”: In this step, the Applicant must submit documentation describing the Mitigation Project(s) performed, including the date(s) of construction and a detailed scope of work, by submitting one of the following: 

• Final Contractor's invoice dated and marked as paid in full;
• Cancelled checks (images of front and back); 
• Receipts; 
• Bank statements; or 
• a Financing statement(s).

IMPORTANT NOTE: It is not a requirement for Low-Income Applicants to pay the Contractor in full to receive Grant Disbursement. Low-Income Applicants can complete this step without uploading proof of payment in full documentation.

 “Draw Request - Proof of Insurance Discounts”:  Applicants must submit the Final Inspection Report to their insurance provider and request potential discounts. If the document uploaded to this step is dated prior to the Final Inspection Report, it will not be accepted. In this step, the Applicant must submit documentation of all insurance premium changes from their insurance 

provider by submitting one of the following: 

• New declarations reflecting change(s) in premium amount due to discounts received from completing Mitigation Project(s); or 
• Letter or an email from insurance provider stating the change(s) in premium amount due to discounts received from completing Mitigation Project(s); or 
• Letter or an email from insurance provider stating that discounts will not be applied.

“Draw Request - Payment Verification”: In this step, the Applicant must: 

• Confirm the first and last name is correct for the Disbursement Check to be issued directly to the Applicant; 
• Enter the address for the Disbursement Check to be sent to; and 
• Enter the Applicant’s social security number as required by statute.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Disbursement Checks cannot be delivered to an active USPS forwarding address and will be returned to the Department of Financial Services. Ensure that you enter the correct mailing address on the “Draw Request – Payment Verification” 

Once the Applicant has completed the Draw Request, the Draw Request will be reviewed by a MSFH Program Case Manager.  

Request for Information (RFI): Draw Request  

If the MSFH Program is unable to approve your Draw Request, you will be sent a Request for Information (RFI). You will need to return to the Applicant Portal and submit additional information to satisfy the RFI. Please ensure you check your emails regularly in case an RFI is sent to you. RFIs must be responded to within 60 days. Closed cases cannot be reopened, so ensure you check your case and your email regularly.  

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you do not respond to the Request for Information (RFI) within 60 days, the MSFH Program Grant Application will be deemed withdrawn and administratively closed. 

DISBURSEMENT FOR APPROVED DRAW REQUESTS

Applicants will receive an email notification once the Draw Request process is complete, and the Disbursement is approved. Please allow at least three (3

IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING DISBURSEMENT 

Disbursement Checks cannot be delivered to an active USPS forwarding address and will be Disbursement Checks cannot be delivered to an active USPS forwarding address and will be Payment Verification” step. Entering incorrect information WILL delay Disbursement.