Jones’ office said a Major Disaster Declaration was approved earlier this week, but it only provided Public Assistance (PA) grants. PA funds can be used by local governments and community organizations, but not for individuals.
The Alabama Emergency Management Agency has requested the IA grants and provided additional evidence to show certain Alabama counties qualify for IA 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 in his letter to Trump. “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.”
Individuals in several neighboring counties in Georgia and Florida received IA grants—which Jones says Alabama residents need too.
“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,” Jones said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has not yet approved the state of Alabama’s application for an agricultural disaster declaration, which Sen. Jones supported in a recent letter to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue.
Read Jones’ full letter to President Trump below:
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