BILOXI, MS (WLOX) -
With President Barack Obama amending the disaster declaration for
Mississippi, FEMA says federal assistance for some individuals affected
by the storm is on the way.
"The individual assistance program is now available for
individuals in Harrison, Hancock, Jackson, as well as Pearl River
Counties," said FEMA spokesman Ted Stuckey.
That assistance will
provide federal grants for temporary housing and home repairs.
Residents will also be able to apply for uninsured property losses and
grants to help pay for some medical expenses or certain household items.
Disaster
Recovery Centers will soon go up throughout the Coast, allowing the
people hardest hit by the storm to apply to get the help they need.
"The
federal assistance that is available specifically from FEMA is meant to
get you back on your feet and get you started on your recovery. This is
money for immediate needs," Stuckey said.
Many of those needs
still haven't been met. While the sting of what Isaac did to this area
is still fresh, there's no time to waste. Damage assessments are going
forward everywhere and FEMA reps say it's time to get the ball rolling.
"Really,
I can't stress enough the importance of making that first step,"
Stuckey said. "Call FEMA and register. Consider that a gateway to all
assistance because it's not just FEMA. It's FEMA, small business
administration, the state, as well as a lot of aid organizations such as
a Red Cross or The Salvation Army. Also other charitable organizations
who use that assistance as a means to achieve their assistance as well."
Copyright 2012 WLOX. All rights reserved.
WLBT 3 - Fox 40
