10 months after $10K state grant approval for new roof, Pinellas man wants his money
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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Michael Stephens is thrilled with his new roof he got in May, but he’s not thrilled to be on the hook for the entire $11,000 it cost, especially after he was approved for a $10,000 grant through the state’s My Safe Florida Home program, designed to help seniors and those with low or moderate income make their homes safer.
Like many, Stephens’ home insurance went up dramatically, and he says he was told to get a new roof or lose coverage. But after the new roof, the premium didn’t go down and he switched to another company for a much lower rate.
Despite telling this to the state over and over again, he says a representative kept asking him for proof of a discount because of the new roof. It’s been 10 months and he hasn’t received any money.
“I explained that the first insurance company did not give me a discount, so I went to someone else. I sent them both forms, my old insurance company form, and the new one,” he said.
Hitting roadblocks, he knew he’d Better Call Behnken. Consumer Investigator Shannon Behnken called the state’s CFO’s office, which administers the program. Hours later, Stephens received a call from the state saying it was indeed the new insurance policy that was causing a misunderstanding.
But the bottom line—the money is his, he says he was told, and he should receive it this week.
“It means a lot,” Stephens said. “I could put it in a savings account cause I’m 71 years old. I’m going to retire next week.”
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