Make Smart Decisions with Louisiana Flood Recovery Funds

Baton Rouge, La. – With more than $4.3 million in Individual Assistance already in the hands of Louisiana flood survivors, state and federal officials have some advice: Resist the urge to splurge.

State and federal disaster assistance is meant to help people pay for necessities and start to get back on their feet.

Disaster assistance may include grants and loans to help pay for emergency repairs to damaged homes, temporary housing, or other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources.

A letter explaining a payment’s purpose will arrive within a day or two of the check or direct deposit payment. If survivors use payments on anything other than their intended purpose, they may have to repay those funds – and might not be able to receive future disaster assistance.

Survivors who have not yet registered may do so online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585.  Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages and phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

The state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provide assistance to eligible survivors primarily as Housing Assistance and/or Other Needs Assistance. Federal assistance also is available in the form of low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration to help businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters to recover.

FEMA Housing Assistance grants may be used for:

• Temporary rental assistance

• Essential repairs necessary to return a damaged home to a safe and functional condition

• Replacing a home that has been completely destroyed

Other Needs Assistance grants may be used to cover disaster-related expenses, such as:

• Medical, dental, funeral and burial costs

• Replacement of disaster-damaged personal property, specialized tools for employment household items and appliances

• Vehicle repair or other serious needs