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Understand the Process for Continued Housing Assistance

BATON ROUGE, La. –If you’re a disaster survivor who wants to extend temporary housing assistance from FEMA it’s important to provide the proper documents in order to make your request.

If you’re eligible for an extension, you may use temporary housing assistance to pay for a place to live, such as a house, apartment, hotel or recreational vehicle. The assistance covers rent, security deposit and essential utilities like electricity and water.

To continue receiving temporary housing assistance, you have to complete and submit the following paperwork to FEMA that demonstrates you have a disaster-related and financial need:

A completed form FEMA provides you. Contact FEMA if you haven’t received a form.
A copy of your lease.
Receipts showing proper use of the federal disaster housing assistance you’ve received.
Current household income status.
Any household financial obligations.

Keep your contact information current so you receive correspondence from FEMA. Update information online at disasterassistance.gov or by downloading and using the FEMA app. You may also call FEMA’s helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use TTY, call 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service, call 800-621-3362.

The state and FEMA encourage you to develop a permanent housing plan while you’re receiving temporary housing assistance. Free assistance and tools are available to help you find more permanent housing if you’re having difficulty creating a plan. Just call the FEMA helpline or visit a Louisiana Disaster Recovery Center. Locate your closest center by going to fema.gov/drc or by calling the FEMA helpline.

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Understand the Process for Continued Housing Assistance

Many Residents Missing Out on FEMA Help

BATON ROUGE, La. — Many residents of parishes covered by last month’s presidential disaster declaration might be eligible for federal assistance, but have yet to seek help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Some homeowners and renters who would qualify for assistance miss out on aid because they are mistaken or misinformed about applying, or are returning to damaged dwellings. All you need to do is register with FEMA to get the process started.

To seek aid, call 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. seven days a week. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use TTY call 800-462-7585, and those who use 711 or Video Relay Services may call 800-621-3362. You may also apply online with any computer, smartphone or tablet at www.DisasterAssistance.gov

Some survivors who already have cleaned up and made repairs themselves think they cannot apply for assistance. Others worry that accepting money from FEMA might affect their Social Security checks or that a FEMA grant would be taxed as income by the IRS. Neither is the case.

Still others might hesitate in accepting taxpayer money because they feel their neighbors need it more.

Sometimes survivors assume that once they collect their insurance claims they are no longer eligible for federal help, even if the insurance payment fell short of covering the damages.

Perhaps the most common reason, however, that people do not apply for FEMA assistance is their mistaken assumption that once they alert local, county or state officials to their damages they automatically are registered with FEMA. They are not.

Register with FEMA at 800-621-3362 or online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

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Many Residents Missing Out on FEMA Help

You Can Help to Move Your FEMA Assistance Request Forward

BATON ROUGE, La. — You can make a big difference in getting fast action on your FEMA application by providing all the information needed and then staying in touch. The state and FEMA rely on that information to process each claim.

When you register with FEMA, the facts you provide are used to determine what types of assistance you may be eligible to receive. When all the information is complete, FEMA is able to make a decision regarding your disaster aid.

There are a number of reasons flood survivors receive ineligibility letters and yet may qualify for assistance. For example, you may still need to:

Return insurance information
- If you have flood insurance, contact your insurance company and ask for a settlement letter detailing exactly what is covered under your claim.
- Hand in the letter at a disaster recovery center or mail insurance settlement information to FEMA – Individuals & Households Program
  - National Processing Service Center,
    P.O. Box 10055
    Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055
- FEMA cannot provide money to individuals or households for losses already covered by insurance.
Provide information to prove occupancy or ownership of the damaged property
- Utility bills, tax receipts, rental receipts are all proof you lived at the address.
Fill out all necessary paperwork and update your contact information
- Answer all questions on the form.
- Let FEMA know each time you move or change a phone number:
  - By going online to DisasterAssistance.gov;
  - By calling 800-621-3362 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily;
  - Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362;
  - By talking face-to-face with a specialist at a disaster recovery center. Find the closest one at fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362; or
  - By downloading the FEMA mobile app.
Complete and return the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan application.
- Be sure to return the completed SBA loan application even if you choose to decline the loan.
- Filling out the loan application is a necessary step so you can be considered for additional forms of disaster assistance.

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You Can Help to Move Your FEMA Assistance Request Forward

Louisiana Farmers and Ranchers Have Options for Assistance

BATON ROUGE, La. – Farmers and ranchers affected by the August flooding could be eligible for assistance from several agencies.

Louisiana emergency management officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency can assist survivors who are farmers and ranchers with some immediate personal needs.

The U.S. Small Business Administration offers low-interest loans to farmers and ranchers for rebuilding or repairing their primary homes and replacing lost or damaged personal property. Call the SBA at 916-764-9918.

To begin the application process, call FEMA at 800-621-3362, TTY 800-462-7585, or for those who use 711 or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 800-621-3362. You may also apply online with any computer, smartphone or tablet at www.DisasterAssistance.gov

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency has programs that are tailored to help with recovery. Visit the department’s website at: www.fsa.usda.gov.

The Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program provides financial assistance for non-insurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory or disrupted planting occur because of natural disasters.

The Livestock Indemnity Program provides payments for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality caused by the disaster.

The Tree Assistance Program helps nursery tree growers and orchardists.

The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program provides relief for feed losses and/or water shortages because of disaster.

The Emergency Conservation Program provides funding to rehabilitate land severely damaged by a natural disaster.

Government officials leaned over soybean crops on the edge of a soybean crop field.

Randolph Johnson, Jr., Louisiana Assistant State Conservationist for the USDA (foreground), shows visiting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, Jay Williams, dead soybeans pods hanging from the unharvested crops of farmer Ricky Roussel in Lutcher, La. Roussel estimates 850 of his 1,000 acres of soybean crops were lost to the 2016 historic flooding in Louisiana. (Photo by J.T. Blatty/FEMA)

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Louisiana Farmers and Ranchers Have Options for Assistance

Applying for Federal Disaster Assistance Usually Takes Two Steps

BATON ROUGE, La. – Are you a homeowner or renter whose home is uninhabitable or who lost valuables because of Louisiana’s recent severe storms and floods? It takes two steps to get possible federal help for these losses.

Step one: Apply for FEMA help.

Step two: Return a completed application for a low-interest disaster loan if you were referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) after applying with FEMA.

FEMA cannot make you whole, but it may help your recovery move forward by providing grants for basic repairs to make your home safe, sanitary and secure. They may also temporarily help with a place for you and your family to stay while you build your own recovery plan.

The SBA may contact you with information about low-interest disaster loans for homeowners and renters after you apply for FEMA help. There’s no obligation to accept a loan offer, but you’ll miss out on the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds for survivors if you don’t complete an application.

You may also miss out on FEMA grants to replace certain household items, repair or replace a damaged vehicle, and moving and storage costs. The only way FEMA can consider you for this help is if you submit a completed SBA disaster loan application.

If you’re a homeowner or renter who had severe storm or flood damage in Louisiana, you may still register for federal help by going online to disasterassistance.gov or by downloading and using the FEMA app. You may also call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use TTY, call 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

Information about low-interest SBA disaster loans and application forms are available online at SBA.gov/disaster. You may also call 800-659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. If you use TTY, call 800-877-8339.

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Applying for Federal Disaster Assistance Usually Takes Two Steps

Disaster Recovery Center in West Baton Rouge Closing Friday

BATON ROUGE, La. – The disaster recovery center at the following address is closing at noon on Friday, Sept. 16:

West Baton Rouge Parish

Location: LSU Center at the 4-H Compound
210 Turner Drive
Port Allen, LA 70767

With survivors returning home to repair and rebuild, the number of visits to this disaster recovery center has declined, leading to the facility’s closure.

Survivors can still visit any disaster recovery center and may locate other centers near them by going online to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers, calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, or downloading the FEMA mobile app.

To register with FEMA, go online with any computer, smartphone or tablet to DisasterAssistance.gov, call the FEMA Helpline, or download the FEMA mobile app. Help is available in most languages and the FEMA Helpline is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice.

Disaster recovery centers are staffed by representatives from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration, National Flood Insurance Program specialists, volunteer groups and other agencies. These representatives are available to provide information about disaster assistance, flood insurance, personal and property risk reduction and low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses. They can also help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance.

Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are canvassing many affected areas and are able to register people for FEMA assistance. Sometimes these teams will remain in certain locations convenient to the community, such as a library or mayor’s office. When residents require further assistance the teams may refer them to a disaster recovery center nearby.

It is not necessary to visit a center to register for and receive federal disaster assistance. If possible, survivors should register with FEMA before visiting a recovery center.

Disaster survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585 to register. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service or require accommodations while visiting a center may call 800-621-3362. All disaster recovery centers are accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors who need disability-related communication aids. Each disaster recovery center has assistive technologies for people with disabilities.

Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are available for businesses of all sizes including landlords, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries.

For more information, applicants may contact the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or visiting the SBA’s website at sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

For information call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362, download the FEMA mobile app, or go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or www.fema.gov/disaster/4277.

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Disaster Recovery Center in West Baton Rouge Closing Friday

Disaster Recovery Center in Iberville Parish Closing Friday

BATON ROUGE, La. – The disaster recovery center at the following address is closing at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16:

Iberville Parish

Location: East Iberville Gym
3285 Highway 75
St.Gabriel, LA 70776

With survivors returning home to repair and rebuild, the number of visits to this disaster recovery center has declined, leading to the facility’s closure.

It is not necessary to visit a center to register for and receive federal disaster assistance. If possible, survivors should register with FEMA before visiting a recovery center.

For information call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362, download the FEMA mobile app, or go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or www.fema.gov/disaster/4277.

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Disaster Recovery Center in Iberville Parish Closing Friday

Volunteer Organizations Aid Louisiana’s Recovery

BATON ROUGE, La. – September 11 marks the National Day of Service and Remembrance enacted by Congress in 2009 to inspire Americans to engage in charitable activities. The observance was started after 9-11 to create one of the largest days of charitable acts with citizens coming together the way they did after the attack.

In Louisiana, voluntary agencies have been very active and will continue to provide a wide range of assistance to the many who have experienced damage, including flood debris clean-up, shelter, food, clothing, counseling, home repairs and reconstruction, and help for other unmet needs on a case-by-case basis. Louisiana disaster survivors can call 2-1-1 or visit http://www.louisiana211.org/ to request help with clean-up or other available services.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (http://gohsep.la.gov/) partner with a variety of nonprofit groups to provide assistance to disaster survivors. These organizations have had a key role in the disaster response here. They are financed through charitable donations, not by the federal government, and their volunteers do much of the work.

FEMA’s Voluntary Agency Liaisons assist these volunteer, faith-based and community organizations with coordinating federal programs and managing resources. They can identify special-needs populations and help survivors avoid duplication of benefits. Liaisons also guide and promote long-term recovery to restore normalcy to the affected communities.

Volunteer agencies continue to help storm and flood victims in all affected parishes, regardless of their federal-declaration status. If you want to know more about the work of the national and local volunteer groups you may visit www.nvoad.org or lavoad.org.

Applying with FEMA is a separate process from registering with a volunteer organization. If you suffered damages and losses from the August 11-31 weather events you should apply for FEMA assistance as soon as possible. Apply at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services call 800-621-3362 to register. You can find the FEMA mobile app at www.Ready.gov.

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Volunteer Organizations Aid Louisiana’s Recovery

$1 Billion in Federal Disaster Assistance Helps Louisiana Disaster Survivors

BATON ROUGE, La. –Federal assistance to help Louisiana disaster survivors and communities surpassed $1 billion less than four weeks after the Aug. 14 disaster declaration.

These funds are a result of federal agencies working closely with their local, parish and state partners to identify and find solutions to help survivors and the state recover from the severe storms and floods that occurred Aug. 11-31.

To date, more than 63,000 Louisiana families are receiving assistance through one or more of the housing options available to them, including rental assistance, home repairs, hotel and motel stays, and other housing.

Financial disaster assistance comes in many forms. This includes reimbursing local and state agencies for expenses related to saving lives, helping displaced survivors stay close to their homes and in their communities, and providing them funds to help repair or rebuild.

Federal assistance includes funding from FEMA, payments from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and low interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). While there is still much work to be done, the funding contributes significantly to assisting survivors with their needs.

Here’s a rundown of how different federal agencies are helping Louisiana:

Providing housing solutions to survivors remains a top priority for FEMA. The agency approved grants of more than $505 million through the Individual Assistance program to help households temporarily pay for a place to stay and make repairs to make their homes safe, sanitary and secure. More than $95 million has helped households pay for disaster-related expenses like replacing essential household items and moving and storage costs.

Here are some other ways FEMA is helping Louisiana:

Twenty-six (26) Disaster Recovery Centers are open across affected parts of Louisiana where survivors can receive free face-to-face recovery help from state, federal and voluntary officials.
FEMA inspectors performed more than 114,000 home inspections. Nearly 95 percent of scheduled inspections have been completed.
Providing funds for disaster case managers from voluntary agencies to help survivors develop recovery plans, identify recovery resources and monitor goals.
Setting aside Disaster Unemployment Assistance funds to help people whose employment was affected by the disaster.

The SBA approved low-interest disaster loans of nearly $215 million to help businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters recover from property losses and other damage from the severe storms and flooding. Loans have been approved for almost 2,900 homeowners, renters and businesses.

NFIP authorized and issued more than $274 million in payments so policyholders can repair and rebuild their flood-damaged property.

The USDA is providing support to the state through nutrition and farmer and rancher assistance. More than $56 million in Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits have gone to survivors to help them with groceries due to lost income or damage following the severe storms and floods. Also, more than $19 million in replacement benefits have been provided to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program households that lost food because of the disaster.

If you had severe storm or flood damage in Louisiana, you may still register for federal help by going online to disasterassistance.gov or by downloading and using the FEMA app. You may also call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use TTY, call 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

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$1 Billion in Federal Disaster Assistance Helps Louisiana Disaster Survivors

FEMA Speaks Your Language

BATON ROUGE, La. – If you or someone you know wants to apply for federal disaster assistance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency probably can provide a translator or interpreter who speaks your language.

When you call the FEMA helpline, 800-621-3362, you will be asked in English to press “1” for English, or in Spanish, to press “2” for Spanish. If you do not press “1” or “2”, and do not hang up, an English-speaking registration assistant will answer and a language translator will be brought on line to assist the caller in registering for FEMA assistance. FEMA is able to provide translators for most languages.

To register, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA helpline. Help is available in most languages and phone lines are open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. An American Sign Language interpreter can be made available at the Disaster Recovery Center when you visit.

Disaster survivors who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585 to register. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. All disaster recovery centers are accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors who need disability-related communication aids. Each disaster recovery center provides communication accessibility tools for people with communication disabilities.

For information call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or www.fema.gov/disaster/4277.

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FEMA Speaks Your Language

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