|
There are different
types of assistance available to help individuals, communities
and businesses recover from a disaster. The most assistance
is usually available during Presidentially Declared Disasters,
when federal programs are offered for disaster victims. The
two types of federal disaster assistance that MEMA is most
heavily involved with are Individual and Public Assistance
Programs from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
- Individual Assistance programs can aid
homeowners and renters with housing needs and necessary
assistance through the Housing Assistance and Other Needs
Assistance programs. The Housing Assistance
program may be able to provide grants to help with temporary
housing costs, grants to repair damage caused from a disaster
or provide a temporary travel trailer or mobile home. The
Other Needs Assistance program offers grants
to help with other disaster related expenses such as medical,
dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, moving
and storage or other expenses authorized by law.
- Public Assistance programs can help provide
federal grants to local and state governments, non-profit
organizations and other political subdivisions for the repair,
replacement or restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly
owned facilities. Projects that may qualify for federal
reimbursement or a percentage of federal reimbursement include:
debris removal, emergency protective measures, road systems
and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings
and contents, public utilities and parks and recreational
facilities.
During either a
U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Declaration
or as part of a Presidential Disaster Declaration, the SBA
can offer low-interest loans to disaster victims who are homeowners,
renters or business owners.
During non-Presidential
Disaster Declarations, but when the Governor has issued a
State of Emergency, MEMA can offer assistance through the
State Temporary Housing Program. Through
this program, eligible citizens who are displaced from their
homes for more than 72 hours may recieve up to three months
of rental assistance.
Other types of disaster assistance
can range from Disaster Unemployment Assistance,
which is administered by the Mississippi Employment Security
Commission or the Disaster Food Stamp program,
which is administered by the Mississippi Department of Human
Services.
MEMA's Web site
and news releases will help inform citizens when any of these
programs are being offered in the state.
|
