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Nearly $16.5 Million Approved for Mississippi Disaster Survivors

JACKSON, Miss. – Federal assistance approved for disaster survivors in 12 Mississippi counties has reached almost $16.5 million.

Here is a summary through Thursday, June 12, of all federal assistance to individuals and households in the 12 counties designated for FEMA Individual Assistance. The severe storms, tornadoes and flooding occurred from April 28 through May 3, 2014.

Nearly $16.5 million in total federal disaster assistance has been approved by FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Nearly $11.6 million in low-interest disaster loans has been approved by SBA for 170 homeowners, renters and businesses.
More than $4.9 million in FEMA Individual Assistance grants has been approved to help Mississippi disaster survivors recover, including:
- Almost $3.7 million approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.
- Nearly $1.3 million approved to help cover other essential disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses and household possessions. Included is approval of assistance with funeral expenses for 11 disaster-related deaths. Other funeral expense requests are pending.
More than 5,000 people have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance.
- In addition to FEMA grants for individuals and families, other forms of disaster assistance are provided by SBA and other partner agencies such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. FEMA refers some survivors to those agencies.
- All businesses that contact FEMA are also referred to SBA.
- Others may be interested in other programs such as disaster unemployment assistance and disaster legal services.

2,705 home inspections completed.
More than 4,700 visits to disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance crews have visited more than 11,000 dwellings and assisted more than 7,600 survivors.

Monday, June 30, 2014, is the deadline to register with FEMA for individual assistance and to submit an SBA disaster home loan application.

Disaster survivors in Itawamba, Jones, Leake, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, Wayne and Winston counties may be eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.

Individuals and households in those counties can register for FEMA Individual Assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone or tablet at m.FEMA.gov or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362). People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY should call 800-462-7585. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (central time) and assistance is available in multiple languages. FEMA assistance does not affect benefits from other federal programs such as Social Security, SNAP or Medicaid and is not considered taxable income.

For additional information about SBA low-interest disaster loans, contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339, emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or visiting sba.gov/disaster.

SBA disaster loan outreach centers are now open in Louisville and Tupelo at the former disaster recovery center locations. Survivors who need help completing their SBA disaster loan applications can visit the centers to talk with SBA representatives and get help with their applications. MEMA and FEMA will also have representatives at the centers to answer questions about the FEMA disaster assistance process. The disaster loan outreach centers are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday at the following locations:

Lee County

Old Tupelo Water and Light

320 Court St.

Tupelo, MS 38804

Winston County

Georgia Pacific

826 S. Church Ave.

Louisville, MS 39339

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4175. Visit the MEMA site at msema.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/msemaorg.

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). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

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

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Nearly $16.5 Million Approved for Mississippi Disaster Survivors

Hundreds of Volunteers Return to Repair and Rebuild Homes

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The first teams of skilled volunteers arrived in Alaska earlier this week to continue rebuilding efforts in four Interior communities affected by the 2013 floods. The State of Alaska has been working closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure a speedy recovery on all fronts, which includes bringing volunteers to the state.

“We anticipate more than 500 men and women will spend their two-week vacations installing windows, doors, roofs, plumbing and other essential components,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Willie G. Nunn. “The collective focus is to get displaced families home, make damaged residences safe and secure for occupancy, and complete our mission by September.”

According to State Coordinating Officer Bryan Fisher, this is the first housing disaster in 20 years that required two building seasons in Alaska due to the severity.

“The safety of survivors has always been our priority whenever responding to a disaster,” Fisher said. “In 2013, the volunteer groups helped us immensely by ensuring the majority of those affected were able to return home before winter.”

Following the disaster and during the gap in construction seasons, the state provided temporary housing in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Galena for those unable to return home.

Nunn stated that 116 homes were repaired or rebuilt by survivors and skilled volunteers in 2013. The work last summer was conducted in six rural Alaskan communities including Alakanuk, Circle, Emmonak, Fort Yukon, Galena and Hughes. This summer, 48 homes will be repaired or rebuilt in Alakanuk, Circle, Emmonak and Galena. The primary agencies involved with rebuilding these communities this summer are the Disciples of Christ, Lutheran Ministries, Mennonite Disaster Service, Samaritan’s Purse and United Methodist Volunteers in Mission.

While many volunteers are paying their own way, the state and FEMA have partnered to help with in-state travel costs, as well as meals and accommodations while staying in affected communities. Faith-based organizations in Fairbanks and Anchorage are providing lodging, meals and local transportation for the teams before they travel to their designated communities.

Follow the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management on Twitter @AlaskaDHSEM and on Facebook. You can also follow the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Twitter @femaregion10.

FEMA recovery photos and videos can be found online by visiting www.fema.gov/disaster/4122, selecting “Blog, Newsroom, Videos and Photos,” and clicking on either “Photos” or “Videos” under the Multimedia Library section.

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Hundreds of Volunteers Return to Repair and Rebuild Homes

Disaster Grants Won’t Affect Social Security or Taxable Income

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Senior citizens in Escambia, Jackson, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties who sustained losses during the recent severe storms and flooding need not worry that applying for federal and state disaster aid will cause them to sacrifice their Social Security benefits, pay more taxes or give up income-based benefits.

A grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency does not add to a senior’s taxable income as long as the grant is to help recover from the recent disaster.

“Severe weather can affect everyone,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Gracia Szczech, the federal official in charge of disaster recovery in Florida. “We do not want our seniors to be reluctant to apply for disaster aid. Not doing so could cause eligible citizens to miss out on much-needed assistance.”

A few questions that typically arise following a disaster declaration are:

FEMA Grants

Question: I’m between 62 and 65 years of age, and have chosen to receive Social Security benefits. If my income is more than a certain amount each year, I must reimburse a portion of my Social Security payment. Will FEMA grants add to my income and require me to repay Social Security?

Answer: No. FEMA grants for housing and other disaster assistance are not counted as income.

Taxes

Question: I’m over 65, but if I earn more than a certain amount, I must pay tax on my Social Security income. Will FEMA grants boost my income and require me to pay tax on my Social Security income?

Answer: No. The IRS does not count FEMA grants for housing and other disaster assistance as income.

Other Assistance

Question: Will receiving a grant cause my income to increase to the point that I am no longer eligible for Medicaid, welfare assistance or food stamps?

Answer: No. Grants for housing and other disaster assistance are not counted as income in determining eligibility for income-tested benefit programs that the U.S. government funds.

For more information, visit the Social Security website at www.socialsecurity.gov or call, toll-free, 800-772-1213 (for the deaf or hard of hearing, call TTY 800-325-0778). Operators are available Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

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Disaster Grants Won’t Affect Social Security or Taxable Income

Less than Thirty Days Remain for Mississippians to Register for FEMA Assistance

JACKSON, Miss. – The June 30 deadline is less than thirty days away for individuals and households to register with FEMA for assistance to recover from damage caused by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding between April 28 and May 3.

Disaster survivors in Itawamba, Jones, Leake, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, Wayne and Winston counties may be eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, and for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes from the U.S. Small Business Administration may also be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance. SBA has the same filing deadline of June 30 to receive loan applications for physical damages.

Mississippi residents should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

Registering with FEMA is required for federal aid, even if the person has registered with another disaster-relief organization. FEMA registrants must use the name that appears on their Social Security card.

Applicants will be asked for the following information:

Social Security number
Address of the damaged home or apartment
Description of the damage
Information about insurance coverage
A current contact telephone number
An address where they can receive mail
Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.

Individuals and households in the 12 eligible counties can register for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone or tablet at m.FEMA.gov or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362.) People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY should call 800-462-7585. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (central time) and assistance is available in multiple languages.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, go to FEMA.gov/Disaster/4175. Visit the MEMA site at msema.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/msemaorg.

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Less than Thirty Days Remain for Mississippians to Register for FEMA Assistance

Help Continues: Students Involved in SR 530 Slide Recovery

Students have been helping with the SR 530 Slide recovery. One example is in Mill Creek, Wash., where a broadcast team of seven students from Henry M. Jackson High School produced one of the first newscasts that told the story of the SR 530 Slide. The newscast was produced for the high school’s news network as a way of increasing media awareness among younger audiences, said Zachary Anders, who is part of the broadcast team.

“I believe our coverage reached the younger audience simply by us students covering it, and for those of our age being able to relate to us,” he said. “Many of the students I talked to told us they ignored the coverage by CNN and NBC, or that they don’t watch the news at all.”

To view their newscast, click: http://youtu.be/LEesplF7l9Y.

Another example of student involvement in SR 530 Slide recovery is in Edmonds, Wash. Two Edmonds Community College students, Rob Matthews and Quincy Powell, are volunteering their skills to help survivors recover their memories from computer hard drives, flash drives and SD cards that were damaged as a result of the SR 530 Slide.

“I want to help the survivors by giving them back something they thought they had lost. Then they can maybe begin the healing process and get some remembrance and closure,” Matthews said.

Matthews, Powell and other students of the college are earning degrees in Information Security Technology and Data Recovery. They are working with members of the High Technology Crime Investigation Association to recover the data for free.

These are only a few examples of students helping with the SR 530 Slide recovery. There are many other ways to help. For more information about how to volunteer, click: www.uwsc.org/.

For more information on data recovery through Edmonds Community College, contact Rob Matthews at r.matthews1234@edmail.edcc.edu or Quincy Powell at q.powell6908@edmail.edcc.edu.

For details about what to do with a damaged hard drive, click: infosec.edcc.edu/OsoDataRecovery.html.

For more information on the SR 530 Slide, visit the Washington Emergency Management Division website at www.emd.wa.gov/activations/Activation.shtml or the FEMA website at www.fema.gov/.

The state of Washington and FEMA have been partnering in recovery since the SR 530 Slide. Those who were directly impacted by the slide may register for disaster assistance through June 2. Register online through midnight, Pacific Daylight Time or by phone by 7 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time.

To register online, click: www.DisasterAssistance.gov or m.fema.gov. To register by phone, call (800) 621-FEMA (3362). Survivors who use TTY should call (800) 462-7585 directly; those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) may call (800) 621-3362. Survivors may call these toll-free telephone numbers to access the FEMA help line from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, seven days a week.

Source:

Help Continues: Students Involved in SR 530 Slide Recovery

Disaster Recovery Centers Closed on Memorial Day

JACKSON, Miss. – The six disaster recovery centers open in Mississippi to provide information for survivors of the recent severe storms, tornadoes and flooding will be closed on Memorial Day, May 26. They will reopen on their regular schedule at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Regular hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday.

Survivors will still be able to receive information about their case on Memorial Day by calling the FEMA helpline for assistance at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Anyone can go to any location, which are:

Jones County:

1425 Ellisville Blvd., Laurel, Miss.

Lee County:

320 Court St., Tupelo, Miss.

Lowndes County (two locations):

222 Lawrence Dr. and 381 Stadium Rd., Columbus, Miss.

Wayne County:

810 Chickasawhay St., Waynesboro, Miss.

Winston County:

826 S. Church Ave., Louisville, Miss.

At a center they can check on the status of their application and learn about recovery services available from other agencies, including the U.S. Small Business Administration.

FEMA assistance does not affect benefits from other federal programs such as Social Security, SNAP or Medicaid and is not considered taxable income.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, go to FEMA.gov/Disaster/4175. Visit the MEMA site at msema.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/msemaorg.

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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Three-Step Process to FEMA Disaster Assistance

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Florida survivors who sustained property damage or loss from the recent severe storms, tornadoes and flooding should apply for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency — even if you have insurance or believe you won’t qualify for assistance.

Survivors in Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties are eligible to apply for disaster assistance that may include money to help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs or other serious disaster-related expenses.

Also, homeowners, renters and business owners may be eligible for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration to help recover from losses not covered by insurance, grants or other sources.

Here are three simple steps to follow when applying for federal disaster assistance.

Step One: Registration

Register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. In addition, you can register by phone at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. Lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Multilingual specialists are available.

If you have insurance, contact your agent before registering with FEMA.
When calling FEMA, it is helpful to have the following information handy.
- Social Security number.
- Address of the damaged primary residence or apartment.
- Description of damage.
- Information about insurance coverage.
- A current contact telephone number.
- An address where you can receive mail.
- Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.
Fill out and return your SBA low-interest disaster loan application, if you receive one. Returning the application does not obligate you to accept an SBA loan, but it is a necessary step to being considered for other forms of disaster assistance.

When applying for assistance, you will receive a nine-digit registration number that can be used for reference when corresponding with FEMA.

Step Two: Inspections

After you register, a FEMA-contracted inspector will call you to set up an appointment to assess your damaged property. Inspectors will never ask for bank account information, and there is no cost for the inspection.

When FEMA inspectors arrive at a home, they will display official photo identification. If the photo identification is not displayed, it is important to ask to see it.

Make sure your home or mailbox number is easily visible from the road. As part of the inspection process, you must provide proof of ownership or occupancy.

Homeowners may show a tax bill, mortgage payment receipt or insurance policy with the property’s address.
Renters may show a lease, rent payment receipt, utility bill or other document confirming the home was their primary residence at the time of the disaster.
Homeowners and renters must also present a valid driver’s license or other photo ID.

Step Three: Follow Up With FEMA

After registering for assistance, you will receive a letter regarding your application status. Some applicants may receive an SMS/text message.

If you receive a FEMA letter stating you are ineligible, it will include an explanation of what steps need to be taken next. You should not be discouraged if you receive a letter indicating ineligibility – FEMA may simply need additional information or documentation.

It is important to read and follow up with any correspondence from FEMA. You may have to log into your account on DisasterAssistance.gov or call the helpline at 800-621-3362 to keep the application process moving. You are also urged to keep your contact information updated with a current address and phone number to ensure FEMA can reach you with new information or questions.

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Three-Step Process to FEMA Disaster Assistance

Survivors Have Until Friday to Visit Disaster Recovery Centers in Itawamba and Rankin Counties

JACKSON, Miss. – Survivors have until 6 p.m. Friday, May 23, to visit the disaster recovery centers in Itawamba and Rankin counties. Mississippi disaster survivors can visit any of the disaster recovery centers open in the state. Survivors can also call the FEMA helpline for assistance at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585.) Locations can be found by visiting FEMA.gov/DRCLocator or by calling the FEMA helpline. New schedules for the remaining centers take effect Thursday, May 22.

Locations and updated schedules

Disaster Recovery Centers Closing Friday, May 23:

Itawamba County

265 Tishtontee Dr., Mantachie, Miss.

8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, May 23.

Rankin County

601 Marquette Rd., Brandon, Miss.

8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, May 23.

Disaster Recovery Centers Remaining Open:

Jones County

1425 Ellisville Blvd., Laurel, Miss.

8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Wednesday, May 21.

Thereafter, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, closed Sundays.

Lee County

320 Court St., Tupelo, Miss.

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, closed Sundays.

Lowndes County

222 Lawrence Dr. and 381 Stadium Rd., Columbus, Miss.

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, closed Sundays.

Wayne County

810 Chickasawhay St., Waynesboro, Miss.

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, closed Sundays.

Winston County

826 S. Church Ave., Louisville, Miss.

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, closed Sundays.

Disaster survivors in Itawamba, Jones, Leake, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, Wayne and Winston counties may be eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program. If possible, they should register for FEMA assistance before visiting a disaster recovery center. At a center they can check on the status of their application and learn about recovery services available from other agencies, including the U.S. Small Business Administration.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4175. Visit the MEMA site at msema.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/msemaorg.

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Survivors Have Until Friday to Visit Disaster Recovery Centers in Itawamba and Rankin Counties

FEMA Provides Federal Funding to Assist Cocos Firefighting Efforts in San Diego County, California

OAKLAND, Calif. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California combat the Cocos Fire burning in San Diego County, in the San Marcos community.

On May 14, 2014, the State of California submitted a request for a fire management assistance declaration for the Cocos Fire. The authorization makes FEMA funding available to reimburse up to 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire.

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 1,500 homes in and around the community of San Marcos with a population of 86,752. Mandatory evacuations due to the Cocos fire are in effect for approximately 6,000 people. The fire started on May 14^, 2014 and has burned in excess of 200 acres of state and private land.

The President’s Disaster Relief Fund provides funding for federal fire management grants made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible costs covered by the grant can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.

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FEMA Provides Federal Funding to Assist Cocos Firefighting Efforts in San Diego County, California

FEMA Specialists Reach Out to Survivors in Hard-Hit Alabama Communities

CLANTON, Ala. – Specialists with the Federal Emergency Management Agency are reaching out to survivors in Alabama’s hardest hit communities to help individuals register for assistance. Survivors may meet a specialist in their neighborhood or speak to one on the phone.

Crews of FEMA disaster survivor assistance specialists and FEMA Corps members are canvassing affected areas to provide on-site registration assistance, address immediate and emerging needs, and answer any questions specific to the registration process. Specialists can also provide referrals to additional resources.

FEMA crews are visiting homes, businesses, local organizations and churches in Baldwin, Blount, Jefferson, Lee, Limestone and Tuscaloosa counties.

Using tablets, crew members can help a survivor fill out an application for assistance on the spot – collecting information in person. Crew members can be identified easily by their photo badges and either FEMA or FEMA Corps clothing. Alabama residents are reminded to ask for federal identification before providing personal information.

Survivors in designated counties may also receive a phone call from FEMA Individual Assistance specialists if they have already registered for disaster assistance.

If called, applicants could be asked to verify their identity with some of the following information:

The last four digits of their Social Security number.
The address of their damaged home.
The applicant’s current mailing address.
The applicant’s current phone number.

If applicants receive a phone call from FEMA representatives and question the validity of the caller, they can contact the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to verify the source of the call. The FEMA representative will then make another attempt to call the applicant back. FEMA will not call applicants to request any banking information.

Those who suspect anyone of committing fraudulent activities should call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline toll-free at 866-720-5721. Complaints may also be made to local law enforcement agencies and through the state’s Office of Consumer Affairs at 800-392-5658.

Survivors in the counties currently designated for Individual Assistance can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

For more information on Alabama disaster recovery, click fema.gov/disaster/4176. Visit the Alabama Emergency Management Agency website at ema.alabama.gov/ or Facebook page at facebook.com/AlabamaEMA.

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FEMA Specialists Reach Out to Survivors in Hard-Hit Alabama Communities

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