Mississippi — Hancock County

Hancock County is one of only three Mississippi counties where Strengthen Mississippi Homes is open right now.

Phase 1 one of 3 eligible counties statewide
3 yrs minimum consecutive MWUA policy required
$10K max grant, same as statewide
Status, in one line Hancock County is in the current Phase 1 eligible area — but eligibility here is about your insurance policy, not just your address. You need to be an MWUA Wind Pool policyholder with at least three consecutive years of coverage, not just a Hancock County homeowner.

Why Hancock 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 Hancock County alone doesn't qualify you — you specifically need to be insured through MWUA, which most Mississippi homeowners are not (MWUA exists as coverage of last resort for wind/hail risk private insurers won't take on directly).

Who in Hancock County actually qualifies

If you're in Hancock County but not on MWUA

You're not eligible for this phase of the program 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

Last reviewed: August 28, 2026