BATON ROUGE, La. -- Homeowners, renters and business owners in Ascension, Lafourche, Livingston and Orleans parishes whose property was damaged or destroyed as a result of Hurricane Isaac can now register for federal and state disaster assistance.
Just days after a major disaster declaration for Louisiana, Individual Assistance (IA) is being made available to hurricane survivors in these additional parishes. Five parishes were approved for IA on Friday. Ascension, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. John and St. Tammany parishes have now been approved for this type of assistance.
“We strongly encourage survivors in all nine parishes to register with FEMA as soon as possible,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar. “The sooner you register, the sooner we can see about getting you federal and state disaster assistance or other help.”
Disaster assistance for eligible individuals may include:
- Grants to help pay for temporary housing and emergency home repairs to make a home habitable;
- Grants for serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance;
- Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Survivors can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.
The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.
Residents of the nine parishes should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.
Registering with FEMA is required for federal aid, even if the person has registered with another disaster-relief organization or local community or church organization. FEMA registrants must use the name that appears on their Social Security card. Applicants will be asked to provide:
- Social Security number
- Address of the damaged home or apartment
- Description of the damage
- Information about insurance coverage
- A current contact telephone number
- An address where they can get mail
- Bank account and routing numbers if they want direct deposit of any financial assistance.
For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.