Weekly Wrap Up: Hurricane Recovery In Mississippi

The following is recovery news from the previous week from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

• Nearly one in three Mississippi households impacted by Hurricane Isaac uses the Internet or a Web-enabled cell phone to get disaster assistance. Of 18,000 households that requested FEMA help in the first two weeks after the storm, about 5,000 used a computer and another 1,000 used smartphones.
• In the three weeks after the storm more than $11.6 million has been approved in federal disaster assistance, as of Sunday, Sept. 23. There have been 22,346 total registrations for federal disaster assistance.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved more than $2.1 million in low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses impacted by the storm. FEMA is encouraging anyone who has not done so, to fill out and return their disaster loan applications. Returning it does not obligate them to accept the loan, but is used to refer applicants back to FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance grants program.
• FEMA assistance does not affect other government assistance for individuals. People can still get disaster assistance while receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. FEMA assistance is not taxable and does not need to be repaid.
• FEMA is sending out determination letters to those who registered telling them the status of their applications. Those who don’t understand the letter or disagree with FEMA’s decision should visit a Disaster Recovery Center or call the FEMA Helpline at (800-621-3362) to get more information and assistance with questions.

Homeowners, renters and businesses impacted by Hurricane Isaac are urged to register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. Disaster survivors may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service call
800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.