Status, in one line
Jackson County — Mississippi's easternmost Gulf Coast county, home to Pascagoula and Ocean Springs — is in the current Phase 1 eligible area, but eligibility runs through your insurance policy, not just your address. You need to be an MWUA Wind Pool policyholder with at least three consecutive years of coverage.
Why Jackson County specifically
The Strengthen Mississippi Homes (SMH) program launched with Phase 1 limited to Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association (MWUA, or "Wind Pool") policyholders in three Gulf Coast counties: Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson. Living in Jackson County alone doesn't qualify you — you specifically need to be insured through MWUA, coverage of last resort for wind/hail risk that most Mississippi homeowners are not on.
Who in Jackson County actually qualifies
- Own and occupy a single-family home in Jackson County as your primary residence
- Currently insured through MWUA for wind/hail coverage
- Held that MWUA policy for at least three consecutive policy years
- Home in good repair, with active homeowners, wind, and (where required) flood insurance
- Condominiums, townhomes, rental properties, and mobile homes do not qualify
If you're in Jackson County but not on MWUA
You're not eligible for this phase regardless of address. The published framework names George, Pearl River, and Stone counties as part of the broader eventual scope beyond Phase 1, with statewide rollout expected around 2027 — but there's no path to apply outside the current MWUA/Wind Pool requirement today.
How to apply
The grant targets the FORTIFIED Roof standard, paid directly to your contractor after certification — see the Mississippi program page for the full process.
Sources
- Mississippi Insurance Department (MID) — program administrator, Phase 1 county list and MWUA requirement.
- Mississippi SB 2409 (2026) — the Strengthen Mississippi Homes Act.
Last reviewed: August 28, 2026