How to Register for Highlands County Diverse or Special-Needs Assistance
Register before a disaster when medical, disability, caregiver, equipment, or transportation needs require public shelter assistance.
Start here
Use Florida’s Special Needs Registry and select Highlands County, or call Highlands County Emergency Management at 863-402-7600 and choose option 3. Registration should be renewed each year after March 1 and does not replace a personal emergency plan.
Register before an emergency; choose option 3 for registry questions
Register for diverse-needs assistanceWhat to have ready
- Highlands County address and a safe callback number
- A one-sentence description of the need and what changed
- Any notice, application, denial, bill, or deadline involved
- Language, mobility, communication, and accommodation needs
Words you can use
“I need to register for Highlands County shelter and/or evacuation assistance. My medical, mobility, caregiver, equipment, medication, service-animal, and transportation needs are [details]. What review and annual renewal steps apply?”
Steps in order
- 1
Call or use the official intake route and lead with the immediate need.
- 2
Ask what eligibility, documents, assessment, and current funding or capacity apply.
- 3
Record the staff name, reference number, next action, and follow-up date.
- 4
Use the listed backup route if the program is closed, full, or not the correct door.
If the first answer is no or wait
Availability, funding, eligibility, and wait times can change. Ask for the reason in writing when possible, preserve every deadline, and dial 211 or call Highlands County at 863-402-6500 to locate another current route.
Official sources
Sources checked August 9, 2026. Confirm eligibility, hours, cost, service area, and current availability directly.
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