PEARL, Miss. – (press release) Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the recent severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Mississippi that occurred December 23-28, 2015, are urged to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as they may be eligible for disaster assistance.
The presidential disaster declaration on January 4th makes federal assistance available to eligible individuals and business owners in Benton, Coahoma, Marshall, Quitman, and Tippah counties.
Affected individuals and business owners in designated areas can begin the disaster application process by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.govor by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.
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 from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may also be available to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance.
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. 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.
Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local and tribal governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work as a result of the severe storms and flooding in Benton, Marshall, and Tippah counties.
