June tornado survivors may now apply for FEMA assistance

MADISON, Miss. — Homeowners and renters who applied for FEMA assistance following the June severe storms and tornadoes in Jackson and Jasper counties are encouraged to keep an eye on their mailbox as FEMA has begun approving grants and sending out letters to those who have applied. Applicants can expect to receive notice by mail or email that their application was approved or additional steps that need to be taken before a grant can be awarded.

Direct Deposits and Checks

If an application is approved, applicants who gave their banking information to FEMA will be getting grant money directly deposited into their bank accounts. Applicants who did not give their bank information will be getting physical checks mailed to either their permanent or temporary address.

FEMA already has approved more than $450,000 in grants to individuals and households, for basic home repairs, temporary rentals and other needs. Most of that money has been disbursed and is in applicant bank accounts.

Decision Letters

Applicants should look for an email or letter from FEMA. Everyone getting FEMA grants will get a letter, by email or mail. These “Assistance Approved” letters explain the type and amount of FEMA assistance approved. An application may still be under review to see if an applicant qualifies for other types of assistance. If so, FEMA will send a separate letter with a decision or to request for more information.

FEMA also is sending letters to those who have not been approved. These “Assistance Not Approved” letters are not a final decision. They explain what assistance was not approved, why it is not currently approved, and the steps to take to possibly get approval. Sometimes the steps are as basic as giving FEMA missing documents.

Right to Appeal

Even after following the instructions about added steps, an application may not be approved. In those cases, applicants have the right to appeal FEMA’s decision.

Even those applicants whose application was approved may not agree with the grant amounts. They may appeal FEMA’s determination on the amount.

Beyond these two scenarios, every situation is different and every applicant has the right to appeal.

To appeal, applicants must mail or submit an appeal within 60 days from the date they got their decision letter. Appeal letters should state what decision is being appealed, why the applicant disagrees with that decision and what documents are being sent with the letter.

Appeal letters and all supporting documents should include the applicant’s name, the disaster number, which is 4727 for the June storms in Jasper and Jackson counties, and the FEMA application number.

Appeals can be submitted online at disasterassistance.gov, via mail to FEMA National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055, by fax to 800-827-8112 or by contacting FEMA.

If applicants have questions about their letters, they are encouraged to call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or go to a Disaster Recovery Center.

At a Disaster Recovery Center, they can speak with specialists. The centers are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday. In Jackson County, a Disaster Recovery Center is located at the Riverfront Community Center at 4400 Denny St. in Moss Point. For Jasper County, a Disaster Recovery Center is set up at Louin City Hall at 4240 MS-15.

Applicants also may call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The helpline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and help is available in most languages. Those using a relay service, such as video relay, captioned telephone or other service, should give FEMA their number for that service.

For the latest information on recovery from the June tornadoes, visit msema.org and www.fema.gov/disaster/4727.