KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- In the wake of Hurricane Ida, many have been affected by the weather phenomenon along the Gulf Coast.
Whether people sheltered in place or evacuated to safer locations, Reserve Citizen Airmen and their families were among the affected.
“Hurricane Ida has devastated many areas along the Gulf Coast,” said Lt. Col. Costau Bastien, 403rd Force Support Squadron commander. “Fortunately for our Reserve Citizen Airmen that live in Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, and the Alabama coast, there are resources available to them to aid them in their recovery.”
The available resources are:
According to an email by Beatriz Swann, Air Force Aid Society operations manager, AFAS has been authorized to provide a $600 grant per family, under the Blanket Authority for disaster assistance, for eligible Airmen and Guardians who were impacted by Hurricane Ida in Louisiana and Mississippi. The financial assistance is to assist with expenses such as: lodging, fuel, and food that are associated with evacuating from or returning home. Airmen can apply at their local Airmen and Family Readiness Center by using the purpose code: 911 and tracking code: Hurricane Ida 2021. The grant will remain in effect until Sept. 30, 2021. For additional assistance and information of AFAS visit the website at https://afas.org/
The American Red Cross has various resource guides in disaster relief and recovery services ranging from staying safe after a disaster to recovering financially and/or emotionally. For emergency financial assistance submit a request online at https://saf.redcross.org/css or call 1-877-272-7337.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has multiple ways to apply for assistance by downloading the FEMA app in the Apple or Google Play store, calling 1-800-621-3362, or visiting the website at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/. For additional resources available to veterans visit the website at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/information/veterans
The PENDFED foundation has emergency financial assistance according to their website “…for wounded, ill, and injured post 9-11 veterans who are experiencing an unexpected short term financial setback.” The foundation can only support one emergency financial assistance request per household, per lifetime, and will assist with: rent, mortgage, auto loan/lease, and utilities. For more information visit the website at https://penfedfoundation.org/apply-for-assistance/emergency-financial-assistance/
“Unexpected life-changing events happen, luckily we have support services during these challenging times such as the Air Force Aid Society and the Red Cross to help those in dire need of help,” said Bastien. “At the end of the day we’re all looking out for one another and sometimes we need a helping hand, so if you know someone affected by Hurricane Ida, inform them of the aid available to them.”