There Are Many Ways for Mississippi December Storms Survivors to Get Help

OXFORD, Miss. — In addition to causing physical damage, the December storms in Mississippi affected people’s jobs, emotional state or left them needing legal help. There are programs available to help survivors with these issues as they recover.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

People in Benton, Coahoma, Marshall, Monroe, Panola, Prentiss, Quitman and Tippah counties, who were unable to work due to the December storms, tornadoes and flooding may apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Individuals can apply online at mdes.ms.gov or by calling toll-free 877-633-7275 or 601-321-5419 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

You may be eligible to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance if:

• You became the major supporter for a household because of the disaster-related death of the head of the household;
• You cannot work because of an injury caused as a direct result of the disaster;
• You could not work or lost work as a result of physical damage or destruction of a business; or
• You are unable to work because of the physical inaccessibility of the place of employment due to its closure by the federal government.

The Disaster Assistance Unemployment program is administered by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. The deadline to apply in Benton, Coahoma, Marshal, Quitman and Tippah counties is Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016.

The deadline to apply in Monroe, Panola and Prentiss counties is Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016.

Free legal help for storms survivors

The Young Lawyers Division Disaster Legal Services Committee of Mississippi is providing free legal assistance to survivors in Benton, Coahoma, Marshall, Monroe, Panola, Prentiss, Quitman and Tippah counties. Speak to volunteer attorneys by calling 877-691-6185 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

You may get free legal help for:

• Assistance with life, medical and property insurance claims.
• Home repair contracts and contractors.
• Replacement of wills and other important legal documents lost or destroyed in the disaster.
• Questions regarding landlord-tenant issues and mortgages foreclosures.

Disaster Related Stress

Survivors dealing with high levels of stress after the December storms may call the Mississippi Department of Mental Health hotline at 877-210-8513 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The call is free and confidential.

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All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), religion, national origin, age, disability, limited English proficiency, economic status, or retaliation. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585(TTY/TDD).

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.

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.