Gov. seeks more aid for Bristol County

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- As the state continues to clean up the damage left behind by Hurricane Sandy, the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency has submitted a revised request for federal aid to President Barack Obama.

Back in November, Pres. Obama granted Gov. Lincoln Chafee's request for public assistance for Bristol, Newport, and Washington Counties. Shortly after, the governor asked for individual and small business assistance for those in Newport and Washington Counties.

Now that further assessments have been completed in Bristol County, Gov. Chafee is requesting help for home and business owners there.

“Through the good work of FEMA teams on the ground in Rhode Island, we now have enough assessments complete to add Individual Assistance for Bristol County to our request for federal disaster declaration,” he said in a statement. “This support will help Rhode Islanders who have suffered losses in the storm and help them return to normal. I continue to be grateful for the Obama Administration's support for Rhode Island and its residents.”

The individual assistance asked for in the amendment includes the Individuals and Households Program, disaster unemployment insurance, disaster legal service and crisis counseling.