Doug Jones Calls For Assistance For Hurricane Michael Relief

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Doug Jones wrote a letter to President Trump Thursday to request approval for Individual Assistance grants for Alabamians who were impacted by Hurricane Michael last month. A Major Disaster Declaration was approved earlier this week, but it only provided Public Assistance grants.

PA funds can be directed to local governments and community organizations, but cannot go to individuals who are recovering from a natural disaster. IA grants are vital in order for impacted Alabamians to fully recover. The Alabama Emergency Management Agency has requested the IA grants and provided additional evidence to demonstrate that certain Alabama counties qualify for assistance.

"The people of Alabama are grateful for the Public Assistance grants approved in the Major Disaster Declaration dated November 5, 2018, but more relief is clearly needed,” Jones wrote. “I am aware that a determination as to the availability of Individual Assistance (IA) grants is still under review, and I urge you to approve IA grants as soon as possible. The effects of Hurricane Michael have been devastating to our state, and without individual federal assistance, many areas may never fully recover.”

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Pointing out that neighboring counties in Florida and Georgia received IA grants, Jones went on to write, “The people and the State of Alabama are resilient, but as in Georgia and Florida, the recovery efforts in this case require resources beyond their reserves.”

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