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FEMA to provide individual assistance to Adam County
Published Saturday, October 4, 2008
NATCHEZ — More than one month after Hurricane Gustav passed through, Adams County has been approved for individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Jeannie Mooney, FEMA’s public information officer, said the assistance is meant for individuals and business owners that sustained damage from Gustav.
But to even be deemed eligible for any type of assistance, applicants must first complete one critical step, Mooney said.
“They have to register,” she said.
To register, individuals can visit the FEMA Web site at www.fema.gov or call 1-800-621-3362.
“That’s the first step,” she said.
And contrary to popular belief, those with insurance should also apply for assistance if needed, Mooney said.
“They should still call and register,” she said. “They could still be eligible.”
Mooney said the federal assistance can cover a wide range of losses and will come in either the form of a grant or U.S. Small Business Administration loan.
Mooney said things like damage to a home or business, medical emergencies related to the storm and even food and clothing lost in the storm could be eligible for reimbursement.
“Keep your receipts,” she said.
Mooney said once an applicant has completed the application process a FEMA representative will contact them within approximately one week to set up an appointment to view their damage.
From there, applicants should have an answer on their eligibility within two weeks.
Mooney stressed that applicants who receive an SBA loan application, even if they do not want a loan, must fill out and return the application to be able to receive any benefits.
And to further assist county residents FEMA will set up a disaster response center to help residents register and make any changes to their application.
Mooney said the center is scheduled to be opened early next week.
On Friday evening Natchez Mayor Jake Middleton said he was pleased to hear the area had been made eligible for individual assistance benefits.
“I think it’s wonderful the federal government is going to chip in and help these people out,” he said.
Comments
Posted by dmackZuluking (anonymous) on October 4, 2008 at 12:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good job Fema & Mississippi state officials for doing the right thing by the hard working tax payers.
Posted by presby (anonymous) on October 4, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good job,,,all the systems workers will hit it hard.
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on October 4, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i know a family that lost their whole home a tree fell on it and they have been living with family members ever since!! the kids lost everything! it was hurricane related i was in the house next to them and saw the tree fall.. it was spooky
Posted by cooper3k1 (anonymous) on October 4, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I live in McComb and when Katrina hit, FEMA immediately was available for people to register (within a few days). I know Natchez received more damage than we did with Gustav this time. Maybe the reason FEMA waited longer was because they are being more cautious this time since there were so many people that receive assistance with Katrina that did not need it. There was so much fraud with people getting thousands of dollars that did not even have one shingle come off their house must less any damage. It was really sad that people were so greedy during a time like that. I hope that people in my hometown area will act better.
Posted by eagle96 (anonymous) on October 4, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What does this mean for people that lost electricity and food for up to one week?
Posted by guy2co (anonymous) on October 4, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It means buy a generator and do not rely on the government. Does anyone know why we always expect the govenment to pay for something we should have taken care of ourselves? I know that some people have problems and that they may not have money, but it should be the churches and private organizations that take care of them. If you take the same amount of money and give it to a private organization, with volunteers, you do not have to pay a government salary. The money will stretch farther.
Posted by dmackZuluking (anonymous) on October 4, 2008 at 6:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That's why we pay taxes...Hell, Fema is taxes...Now that Fema has declared a disaster in this area go on line and file,don't be stupid like O.J. ps..The State of Mississippi can offer food stamps to tax payers in disaster zone or not who lost food due to power outage cause by hurricane. Get informed people ! Go online....
Posted by cooper3k1 (anonymous) on October 4, 2008 at 8:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When Katrina hit us in McComb, people were given food stamp debit cards with an approved amount on them. The amount depended on the size of your family. This compensated for the food loss due to the electricity being off. They set up a temporary office in a vacant building and the lines and the wait were very long. Maybe someone should check with the food stamp office about approval for the Natchez area.
The Red Cross also set up places to apply for assistance with repairs to homes, but only if your house was not liveable because of damage from the hurricane.
Maybe Natchez needs to be a sqeaky wheel to get the approval for these benefits like we had in McComb.
Posted by cooper3k1 (anonymous) on October 4, 2008 at 8:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And by the way, I did receive the food stamp card but not any of the other, even though my electricity was off for over 9 days and I did have my front porch torn off my house from a tree falling. I wanted to replace it anyways! We did well without the other assistance. There were alot of people that got money hungry and went everywhere applying for help. In fact, there was a couple in Tylertown that got arrested for fraud because the husband and wife applied seperate for the whole family!
dmackZuluking, you are right, this is taxpayers money. There is nothing wrong with getting help from FEMA or anyone else, as long as you need or do not take advantage and become greedy like alot of people did with Katrina.
Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on October 4, 2008 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree that a lot of people expect too much handed out, but I also agree that this is a special circumstance.
I have a generator and housed 15 people while their electricity was out.
My husband pays taxes so therefor I think a little in return is not too much to receive. Not to mention the high electrical bills we pay all year and then a storm hits and its goes out and the only courtesy you can get is a recording that says sorry its gonna be at least a week.
Also I know that there are people that can not afford to get generators. Not to mention some people may not be capable of going out and refilling the gas and changing the oil every 15 hours.
And I have what i think is decent insurance on my house well let me say the funds I received for my property did not hold a candle to what the repairs will cost.
So basically, don't be too proud to ask for help.
And i hate to be this way but, everyone is gonna do it so if you are a tax payer then you definitely deserve the help. THAT IS WHAT IT IS FOR.
Good luck to ALL on getting their property and lives back on track.
Posted by bayougranny (anonymous) on October 4, 2008 at 11:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Will FEMA help me get a new roof. We had shilgles blown off and State Farm said they would pay for three rows and that was all. Of course they raised my deductable to over $2000,00 (it's $500.00 normaly) because it was a natural disaster so now we have a leaky roof that we have to pay for.
Posted by cooper3k1 (anonymous) on October 4, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bayougranny, you need to apply and see what they can do for you. They will come out and check your home and do an estimate. Save all your receipts for any repairs that have been done so far to give to FEMA. (if you have had any work done) Even a little is better than none.
Sometimes I wonder if we were to put all the money we pay for insurance in the bank instead, would we come out better in the long run...? My auto insurance went up by about $50 a month after I filed a claim for damage done from hitting a deer. What's the point in having insurance if they are going get what they pay for a claim back by raising the premium. What about all the money I paid prior to the claim? The mention of insurance made me think of this!
Posted by crawgator (anonymous) on October 5, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I believe in taking care of my own buisness unless it's the fault of someone else. a hurricane is no ones fault, {although some may think it's the goverment} It is an act of nature. I do believe in helping those who can't help themselves, the elderly and children. I bought a generator because my granddaughter is on a breathing machine and do you think I will get reimbursed, better yet do you think I'll sit around waiting on that, HELL NO! I made sure I put back just for such things and I am by no means financially set. i learned that years ago in the Boyscouts, BE PREPARED!!!!!!
Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on October 5, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
crawgator
So which is it, are you not filing for assistance because you think people should take care of themselves or because of the fact you don't think you would be reimbursed and why wait around for it. Just trying to clarify what your view is.
Posted by dragonflyday (anonymous) on October 5, 2008 at 8:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
buttercup.the house you talking about is it in kingston.just wondering.
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