United Way authorities here received word Tuesday they will receive $196,275 to distribute for Hurricane Katrina relief purposes.

The allocation from United Way of America to United Way of West Central Mississippi is a share of a grant package totaling $4 million from its national Hurricane Response and Recovery Fund. Twenty-nine chapters in four states along the Gulf Coast will share in the total.

It can be given to people for rent and utility assistance, basic furnishing and transportation assistance for evacuees still in the area.

&#8220We will meet Friday with local churches and our other participating agencies to see where the needs are and, thus, where the money can be best administered,” said Barbara Tolliver, president of the local chapter.

The money follows a $25,000 grant from the Foundation of the Mid South in September toward helping those evacuees who were staying with family members or host families.

As with that grant, the chapter plans to find church groups or other nonprofit agencies to help administer the funds where needs are greatest, Tolliver said.

A group of national and local volunteers and staff chaired by UWA Board of Trustees member and former U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater determined the grant recipients.

Over $24 million has been contributed to support hurricane response and recovery efforts, including $8 million to the Hurricane Response and Recovery Fund, according to United Way figures.

The four states named in Tuesday’s announcement were Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Alabama. More grants are expected later this month, according to a news release.