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FEMA Public Assistance Approved for 25 Texas Counties

AUSTIN, Texas— Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) has been made available to state and local governments, and certain private nonprofits, in 25 counties, to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe winter storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of Dec. 26, 2015 to Jan. 21, 2016.

The 25 counties designated for PA, in President Obama’s Major Disaster Declaration of Feb. 9, are Bailey, Castro, Childress, Cochran, Dallas, Deaf Smith, Dickens, Ellis, Hall, Hardeman, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Kaufman, Kent, King, Lamb, Lubbock, Navarro, Parmer, Rains, Red River, Rockwall, Titus and Van Zandt.

FEMA Public Assistance reimburses a minimum of 75 percent of the cost of eligible projects, which can include repair of roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities and parks and recreational facilities affected by the December storms. The cost of debris removal and emergency protective services, such as police overtime for extra work caused from responding to the disaster, also may be eligible for reimbursement.

Applicants apply through the state using a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) form alerting FEMA that an applicant will seek assistance from the agency. State Public Assistance personnel will conduct briefings for applicants on how to prepare projects for submission.

FEMA ensures that all projects meet environmental quality standards and gives final approval for all projects. The federal share goes directly to the state, with the applicant paying the remaining 25 percent. The state forwards the federal funds to eligible applicants when documentation is complete.

For more information on Texas recovery, visit our disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4255, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the Texas Division of Emergency Management website, https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.

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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.

Visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation for publications and reference material on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger.

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FEMA Public Assistance Approved for 25 Texas Counties

More Free FEMA Tips at Local Home Improvement Stores

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and St. Louis area home improvement stores are teaming up once again to provide Missouri residents with free information, tips and literature on making their homes stronger and safer.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be available at Lowe’s, Menards and Home Depot stores to answer questions and offer home improvement tips to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. Most of the information is geared toward do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

Advisers will be available February 11-16 at the following locations . . .

Lowe’s at 1889 Wentzville Parkway, Wentzville, MO 63385 (St Charles County)
Home Depot at 6190 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, St. Peters, MO 63304 (St Charles County)
Menards at 14161 Manchester Road, Ballwin, MO 63011 (St Louis County)

During these times . . .

Thursday to Saturday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Monday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Mitigation teams will also have free reference booklets on protecting your home from flood damage. More information about strengthening property can be found at www.fema.gov/what-mitigation.

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For breaking news about flood recovery, follow FEMA Region 7 on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion7 and turn on mobile notifications or visit the FEMA webpages dedicated to this disaster at www.fema.gov/disaster/4250.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

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More Free FEMA Tips at Local Home Improvement Stores

Center Opens in Greene County to Help Missouri Flood Survivors

JEFERSON CITY, Mo. – A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is opening Thursday, Feb. 11, in Springfield. The center offers in-person support to individuals and businesses in any of the 33 Missouri counties included in the Jan. 21, 2016, Missouri federal disaster declaration.

Recovery specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and other agencies will be at the center to discuss aid and assist anyone who needs help with an application. The new center is at this location:

The Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, MO 65810

The center joins these five others already in operation:

Cape Girardeau County center is at the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63703.
St. Louis County center is at Jefferson Barracks Visitor Center, 345 North Road, St. Louis, MO 63125.
St. Charles County center is at Immaculate Conception Community Center, 14060 N. State Route 94, West Alton, MO 63386.
Franklin County center is at Tri-County Senior Center, 800 W. Union Street, Pacific, MO 63069.
Jefferson County center is at Arnold City Hall, 2101 Jeffco Blvd., Arnold, MO 63010.

All recovery centers are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The centers are closed on Sundays. Centers will be open on Presidents’ Day, Monday, Feb. 15.

Disaster survivors may visit any of the centers for assistance. Locations of recovery centers may be found online at fema.gov/drc.

There are two main types of federal disaster assistance. FEMA provides grants to qualified individuals for rental assistance, home repairs, or other serious disaster-related losses. SBA makes low-interest disaster loans to help homeowners, renters, most nonprofits, and businesses of all sizes rebuild and recover.

Individuals and businesses are encouraged to register with FEMA before visiting a disaster recovery center. Register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling toll-free 800-621-FEMA (3362), 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual registration assistance is available. Survivors may also register using the fema.gov app for smartphones.

Disaster assistance applicants who are hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use TTY should call 800-462-7585. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) should call 800-621-3362.

The only way to access FEMA assistance is by registering with FEMA. Registering with any other agency does not register you with FEMA.

The federal disaster declaration covers eligible losses caused by flooding and severe storms between December 23, 2015, and January 9, 2016, in these counties: Barry, Barton, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Cole, Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Jefferson, Laclede, Lawrence, Lincoln, Maries, McDonald, Morgan, Newton, Osage, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Scott, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster and Wright.

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For breaking news about flood recovery, follow FEMA Region 7 on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion7 and turn on mobile notifications or visit the FEMA webpages dedicated to this disaster at www.fema.gov/disaster/4250.

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Center Opens in Greene County to Help Missouri Flood Survivors

Fact Sheet: Missouri’s 2-1-1 Help Line

Missouri’s 2-1-1 Help Line

Missouri residents impacted by the recent severe storms and floods can dial 2-1-1, a free telephone service that helps people find the local resources they need before, during and after a disaster. All calls are private and confidential.
In Missouri, United Way 2-1-1 has partnered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other agencies to provide answers, services, relief and vital information on a number of topics including medical needs, home repairs, debris clearance, crisis counseling, and disaster unemployment assistance, as well as food, water and clothing needs.
The 2-1-1 line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Missouri residents can also call 800-427-4626 to speak with a trained resource specialist. TTY (866-385-6525) and multilingual services are also available.
Missourians can also call 2-1-1 to volunteer support for disaster relief or donate help to agencies.
In addition to dialing 2-1-1, Missouri residents can click onto the local United Way websitewww.211helps.org) for advice and information on where to find help. The site includes an easy-to-use search tool to locate disaster-related services in your city or county. These services cover a wide range from food banks, home repair and health care to legal services, disaster shelters and mental health support.
The website also includes an online chat function (available Mon–Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) as well as links to downloadable United Way 2-1-1 Missouri and Southwest Illinois mobile apps for iPhone and Android phones.
During the telephone session or online chat, callers may be asked to provide United Way with some basic demographic information such as email address, zip code and age. United Way 2-1-1 Missouri and Southwest Illinois is committed to caller privacy and agrees to keep this information confidential. United Way does not sell, rent or exchange any caller information.

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For breaking news about flood recovery, follow FEMA Region 7 on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion7 and turn on mobile notifications or visit the FEMA web pages dedicated to this disaster at www.fema.gov/disaster/4250.

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Fact Sheet: Missouri’s 2-1-1 Help Line

$29.2 million in hands of flood survivors 18 days after federal aid approved

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – On Jan. 24, just three days after President Obama’s Jan. 21, 2016, disaster declaration for 33 counties in Missouri, disaster survivors began receiving grants from FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program.

In the days since storms brought flooding, tornadoes and straight-line winds to Missouri, survivors, equipped with nearly $29.2 million in federal assistance, low-interest loans and National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims, are cleaning up,

Twelve days after the disaster declaration, FEMA’s IHP program put more than $8.1 million in the hands of survivors for disaster-related housing needs, repairs to their primary residences and other disaster-related needs, such as furnishings, transportation and medical.

The U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Assistance, a partner in the recovery effort, has approved 16 disaster loans for $848,600 in the disaster-designated counties in Missouri.

The FEMA-administered NFIP has paid 563 claims totaling more than $20.2 million with an average claim of $37,470.

Counties eligible for federal assistance from the flooding and severe storms between December 23, 2015, and January 9, 2016, are Barry, Barton, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Cole, Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Jefferson, Laclede, Lawrence, Lincoln, Maries, McDonald, Morgan, Newton, Osage, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Scott, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster and Wright.

More than 100 FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance specialists have canvassed hard-hit Missouri neighborhoods helping survivors connect with recovery services. Nearly 550 survivors have talked to local, state, nonprofit, nongovernmental and FEMA specialists at the four Disaster Recovery Centers in designated counties. To ensure that Missourians receive information about assistance, FEMA provides information in Spanish and many other languages.

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$29.2 million in hands of flood survivors 18 days after federal aid approved

Commonly Asked Questions about Federal Disaster Aid

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – After the severe storms and flooding that occurred in Missouri between December 23, 2015 and January 9, 2016, residents in the 33 declared counties became eligible for federal assistance. People who suffered losses and damage in the wake of the disaster are urged to seek help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The eligible counties are Barry, Barton, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Cole, Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Jefferson, Laclede, Lawrence, Lincoln, Maries, McDonald, Morgan, Newton, Osage, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Scott, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster and Wright.

There are many misconceptions about getting help from FEMA. Often, people who would qualify for assistance miss out on assistance because they don’t have access to correct information.

Commonly asked questions about disaster aid from FEMA:

Q: Who should apply for federal disaster assistance?
A: Missouri homeowners and renters in disaster-designated counties who sustained damage to their homes, vehicles or personal property as a result of the severe storms and flooding from December 23, 2015 through January 9, 2016 can apply for FEMA grants.

Q: How do I apply?
A: Residents who were affected can apply for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362. The application deadline is March 21.

Q: What kinds of FEMA grants are available?
A: Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs, uninsured and underinsured personal property losses and medical, dental and funeral expenses caused by the disaster, along with other serious disaster-related expenses.

Q: What happens after I register?
A: You will receive a phone call from a FEMA inspector to arrange for a survey of the damages. This will come just days after you register. All FEMA inspectors will have official identification. They do not approve or deny claims or requests; those come after the inspection results are submitted. FEMA inspectors do not ask for money and do not recommend contractors to make repairs.

Q. I’ve already cleaned up and made repairs to my property. Am I still eligible to register with FEMA?
A. Yes. You may be eligible for reimbursement of your clean-up and repair expenses. Before and after photos of the damaged property can help expedite your application for assistance.

Q: Does my income need to be under a certain dollar amount to qualify for disaster aid?
A: FEMA’s Housing Assistance program is available, regardless of income, to anyone who suffered damages or losses in disaster-declared counties. However, aid for other losses such as personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses is income-dependent and officials make decisions on a case-by-case basis. To be considered for a grant for these types of losses, the applicant must complete an application for an SBA loan.

Q. I have flood insurance. Should I still register with FEMA?
A. Yes. But please contact your insurance company first.

Q: Does the Small Business Administration (SBA) offer loans to homeowners and renters?
A: Yes. The SBA is the primary source of financial assistance following a disaster and provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and renters.

Q: Do I have to be turned down by my bank before I can apply for a disaster loan?
A: No. The SBA has its own criteria for determining each loan applicant’s eligibility.

Q: If I rent an apartment, can I get help to replace my damaged personal property?
A: Yes. Renters may qualify for a FEMA grant. Renters may also qualify for SBA disaster loans.

Q: Will FEMA pay for all home repairs or contract work?
A: No. FEMA does not pay to return your home to its pre-disaster condition. FEMA provides grants to qualified homeowners to repair damage not covered by insurance, but these grants may not pay for all the damage. However, an SBA disaster loan may return a home to its pre-disaster condition.

Q: Do I have to repay money I receive for disaster relief?
A: No. You do not have to repay grant money, however SBA disaster loans must be repaid.

Q: Do I have to be a legal U.S. resident to receive Individual Assistance?
A: No. If you have a child living at home who is a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien, you may apply for Individual Assistance on that child’s behalf and you may be eligible to receive Individual Assistance. FEMA may provide undocumented, eligible immigrants with short-term, non-cash emergency aid.

Q: How can I check the status of my case?
A: You may go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call the toll-free FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. If you need face-to-face assistance, visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) or speak with someone from one of FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams currently going door-to-door in Missouri’s disaster-declared counties. All DRCs are accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors who need disability related communication aids.

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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.

Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion7.

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Commonly Asked Questions about Federal Disaster Aid

Disaster Aid Does Not Affect Income Tax or Government Benefits for Mississippi Disaster Survivors

OXFORD, Miss. – As the income tax season nears, December storm survivors don’t have to worry that the disaster assistance they received from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency or from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will boost their tax bill or reduce their Social Security checks or any other federal benefits.

Disaster assistance for temporary housing, essential home repairs, replacement of personal property or for other serious needs does not count as income. Disaster relief payments from the government or donations from charitable organizations will not affect Social Security payments or Medicare benefits. And, disaster recovery grants will not affect any recipient’s eligibility for Medicaid, welfare assistance, food stamps or Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Grants for disaster recovery assistance are not counted as income in determining eligibility for any income-tested benefit programs that the U.S. government funds.

As of Jan. 25, FEMA has awarded nearly $2 million in disaster assistance to Mississippians affected by the December disaster. Storm survivors have until March 4, 2016, to register with FEMA for disaster assistance by using any of the following methods:

By phone, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Assistance is available in most languages. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired may call (TTY) 800-462-7585.
Online at DisasterAssistance.gov by computer, tablet, iPhone, Android or other mobile device.
By 711 or video relay services, call 800-621-3362.

Eligibility for FEMA assistance is not dependent on income. The amount of disaster assistance an eligible applicant receives is based on the amount of loss and damage incurred as a direct result of the recent storms and flooding and the amount of their insurance settlement, if any.

After registering with FEMA, some survivors receive a disaster loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration. By submitting the SBA disaster loan application, survivors keep the full range of disaster assistance available as an option. SBA may refer applicants who do not qualify for a home loan to FEMA for grants to replace essential household items and replace or repair a damaged vehicle. But if survivors do not submit their disaster loan applications, further assistance may stop. Survivors are not required to accept a loan offer.

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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.

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Disaster Aid Does Not Affect Income Tax or Government Benefits for Mississippi Disaster Survivors

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

FEMA Representatives Visit Missouri Neighborhoods

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Residents of 33 Missouri counties who have been affected by the recent severe storms and flooding may soon see Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams and home inspectors in their neighborhoods.

Those counties are: Barry, Barton, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Cole, Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Jefferson, Laclede, Lawrence, Lincoln, Maries, McDonald, Morgan, Newton, Osage, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Scott, St. Charles, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster, and Wright counties.

The DSA teams offer survivors registration assistance, up-to-date information on their application status, on-the-spot needs assessments and referrals to help fill any outstanding needs. Following an individual assistance disaster declaration, FEMA provides this mobile resource to help connect homeowners, business owners and faith-based and community organizations with the necessary resources to start the recovery process.

Home inspectors will also be in the field verifying damages for those who have applied for federal assistance. Inspectors will contact homeowners and renters to schedule a time to meet to verify flood damages that occurred December 23, 2015 through January 9, 2016.

Inspectors are contractors who will display official photo identification. If the photo identification is not displayed, it is important to ask to see it. This helps prevent fraudulent activities.

Individuals or business owners that apply for a disaster loan with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may also be contacted by a loss verifier who will inspect the damaged property.

Residents who were affected can apply for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362. The application deadline is March 21.

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FEMA Representatives Visit Missouri Neighborhoods

Three Mississippi Counties Designated for Individual Assistance After December Storms

OXFORD, Miss. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has amended a recent disaster declaration for severe storms in December in order to make survivors in Monroe, Panola and Prentiss counties eligible for its Individual Assistance program.

Survivors who sustained disaster-related losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance by calling 800-621-3362. Disaster assistance applicants who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired should call 800-462-7585 (TTY); those who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. until further notice.

Survivors can also apply by going online to DisasterAssistance.gov using a computer, tablet, iPhone, Android or other mobile device.

Benton, Coahoma, Marshall, Tippah and Quitman counties were previously designated by the presidential declaration on Jan. 4.

Individual Assistance can include money for temporary housing and essential home repairs for primary homes, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help survivors recover from the effects of the disaster.

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Three Mississippi Counties Designated for Individual Assistance After December Storms

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