The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has denied American Samoa’s request for Individual Assistance, which would allow federal aid to individuals and households impacted by the severe storm, flooding, and landslides between July 29-Aug. 3 this year.

President Barack Obama on Sept. 1h declared a major disaster occurred in American Samoa and granted Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation. At the time, Individual Assistance was under review by FEMA.

Responding to Samoa News inquiries for an update, FEMA spokesman John Hamill said, that FEMA headquarters informed Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga on Sept. 12 that the “impact to individual and households during [the severe storms] was not of the severity or magnitude to warrant the designation of Individual Assistance.”

Hamill, who is based in Oakland, Calif., told Samoa News on Thursday that he didn’t have the “specific elements that went into the Individual Assistance denial.”

The governor’s executive assistance Iulogologo Joseph Pereira says Lolo has been informed that Individual Assistance request has been denied.

Through Individual Assistance programs, FEMA provides assistance to individuals and households who have suffered losses and have outstanding needs as the result of a major disaster.

According to FEMA, these programs can provide eligible disaster victims with assistance for home repairs, temporary housing, and other outstanding needs such as medical, dental and funeral expenses resulting from the disaster. Other Individuals Assistance programs include crisis counseling and disaster unemployment assistance.

Meanwhile, Hamill l said FEMA’s designated Federal Coordinating Officer Kenneth Suiso, who is based in Honolulu is scheduled to arrive in Pago Pago next Monday (Sept. 22) with a small group of FEMA specialists to begin the consultation process with the American Samoa Government.

Asked what the next step to move forward on recovery is, now that Obama has signed the declaration, Hamill told Samoa News last week that the “first step in the process is the signing of an agreement by the American Samoa government and FEMA to work together on eligible projects.”

FEMA also recently denied Hawaii’s request for Individual Assistance following Tropical Storm Iselle during the period of August 7-9, 2014.  The agency also denied Hazard Mitigation funds for use in statewide projects in Hawaii. Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi said late last month that they are working to gather the information necessary for an appeal of FEMA's decision.