Mississippi § 33-15-209 - Administration of grant programs.

§ 33-15-209. Administration of grant programs.

The director shall develop a plan for the administration and implementation of the Individuals and Households Program and Other Needs Assistance pursuant to subsections 408(e) and (f) of the Act to be included in the Mississippi Emergency Operations Plan (MEOP), and it shall include, but not be limited to: Individuals, families or households who incur a necessary expense or serious need in the major disaster area may be eligible for assistance under this article without regard to their residency in the major disaster area or within the state. Individuals, families or households otherwise eligible for assistance under this article must obtain flood insurance as required by flood insurance regulations. Assistance under this article may be made available to meet necessary expense or serious needs by providing essential items or services that cannot be provided from other sources and except those covered by insurance as provided in current federal regulations. Under this article grants will not be made available for any item or service in the following categories: Business losses, including farm businesses. Improvement or additions to real or personal property. Landscaping. Real or person property used exclusively for recreations. Financial obligations incurred prior to the disaster. Any necessary expense or serious need or portion thereof for which assistance is available from other means but is refused by the individual, family or household. Should a case arise where it is determined that an individual, family or household has an expense or need not specifically identified as eligible; the state will provide a factual summary and forward it to the regional director, FEMA, for determination prior to making a state commitment. The director shall also develop a plan for administration and implementation of the Mississippi Temporary Housing Program (THP) to be included in the MEOP, and it shall include, but not be limited to: Establishing emergency conditions that warrant program activation. Developing application procedures and applicant eligibility criteria. Verifying applicant certification process. Establishing grant award limits based on fair market rent rates as identified and published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Maintaining program progress and financial reporting and budget requirements.