CLINTON, Miss. – Approximately $11.6 million in state and federal aid has been approved to help those affected by Hurricane Isaac following Mississippi’s presidential disaster declaration.                                    

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency provide the following snapshot of the disaster recovery effort as of Sept. 24:

• Approximately 5,000 households have received FEMA grants that assist with housing and personal property loss.
• Approximately $9.9 million has been approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance, home repair and replacement costs.
• Approximately $1.7 million has been approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
• Approximately 16,000 home inspections have been completed.
• There have been approximately 6,800 visits to 16 disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.

Approximately 21,500 survivors in declared counties have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance. Many people are seeking housing assistance from FEMA because their primary home is unlivable or inaccessible.                                               

For survivors who have needs not met by federal assistance, the FEMA helpline (800-621-3362) serves as a good source of information referring survivors to state and local organizations and partner agencies such as the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Survivors also can call 2-1-1 to be connected to volunteer or faith-based organizations that may be able to help them with resources and needs.

People can register with FEMA in any of the following methods:

1. Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
2. By tablet or smartphone, use the FEMA app or go to m.fema.gov.
3. 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 or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585.

Businesses that need help may contact the SBA directly at the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339), send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or go to https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ to apply.

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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.