Louisiana (DR-4611) Frequently Asked Questions and Rumor Control

Fact:

FEMA is providing many different types of help to Hurricane Ida survivors. Different types of assistance may be activated as we work with our state partners to identify needs. One of the available forms of assistance right now is Critical Needs Assistance, which can provide a one-time award of up to $500 to eligible survivors. Housing assistance is also available to eligible survivors.

To be eligible, survivors need to be residents of a parish that was included in the federal disaster declaration, and need to first apply for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, through the FEMA app, or by calling (800) 621-3362.

Learn more about FEMA assistance for housing and other needs and what to expect after applying for assistance.

Fact:

The correct phone number to apply for disaster assistance is 1-800-621-3362. For a comprehensive list of ways to contact FEMA about disaster assistance, visit DisasterAssistance.gov.

Fact:

There is a rumor being shared on social media and text messages saying FEMA is paying for hotels for people who evacuated due to the recent storm. FEMA is providing help for eligible individuals and families in designated areas of Louisiana affected by Hurricane Ida, but they must first apply for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. You are not able to request hotel room assistance by calling 1-800-621-3362.

Homeowners and renters whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Ida and who live in a designated parish may be eligible for FEMA assistance, including reimbursement of hotel expenses for uninsured applicants whose homes were uninhabitable during the incident period. Keep copies of your receipts to file with your application. Learn more about what to expect after applying for assistance.

Rental Assistance is meant to be used to rent temporary housing—an apartment or house—while your home is being repaired or until you find a more permanent post-disaster housing solution. If you use your Rental Assistance on a hotel or motel stay, and later need help renting temporary housing, FEMA may not be able to help you with additional Rental Assistance unless you have a lease or rental agreement.

If you need help paying short-term lodging costs at a hotel or motel, FEMA may be able to reimburse your out-of-pocket lodging expenses separately from Rental Assistance. You can request Lodging Expense Reimbursement by contacting FEMA and sending your lodging receipts. FEMA can only reimburse you for lodging costs and taxes; we cannot help with room service, long-distance phone calls, or other optional charges.

Rental Assistance award amounts are based on the Fair Market Rent (FMR) established by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the area in which the rental property is located and the number of bedrooms needed. Rental Assistance awards cannot exceed the HUD FMR amount unless authorized on a disaster-specific basis.

FEMA may provide financial assistance to approved applicants for their uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs. FEMA does not cover insurance deductibles as a standalone, disaster-related cost. Applicants should submit any insurance proceeds or denials to FEMA so we can individually evaluate your eligibility if you have remaining unmet needs.

No. They are different.

TSA is a FEMA program that is approved for eligible disasters. It allows for temporary, short-term lodging at a participating hotel/motel, that FEMA pays for directly. Survivors may not request TSA. Those who are eligible will be contacted by FEMA about their eligibility.

If you need short-term lodging at a hotel or motel because you cannot stay at your home due to the disaster, FEMA may be able to reimburse your out-of-pocket lodging expenses (room and tax) through Lodging Expense Reimbursement.

Rental assistance is money to rent alternate housing accommodations, like an apartment, while your home is being repaired or until you find a permanent post-disaster housing solution. For applicants who have a documented, continued temporary housing need, Rental Assistance may be available for up to 18 months from the date of the disaster.

If you received housing assistance from HUD and your home became unlivable because of the disaster, you may be eligible for FEMA temporary housing assistance if there is no available HUD housing after the disaster, and until:

• you relocate back to public housing;
• you relocate back to private housing that accepts HUD assistance; or
• you sign a lease with a private property owner using HUD assistance.

Additionally, financial assistance for pre-disaster, HUD-assisted renters may cover reimbursement for short-term lodging expenses, funds to replace or repair necessary personal property, a vehicle; uninsured funeral, medical, dental, childcare, moving and storage expenses. Uninsured medical and dental expenses may include lost or damaged medical equipment or disaster-caused injuries.

Applicants can upload their receipts online to their DisasterAssistance.gov account. All documents should include the registration and disaster number. Download instructions on how to upload your documents. This information is available in multiple languages.

Survivors can also submit through standard mail at: P.O. Box 10055, Attn: FEMA Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055 

Or Fax 1-800-827-8112 (Cover sheet required)

By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits provided through insurance.

Many insurance policies include Additional Living Expenses (ALE) or Loss of Use (LOU) coverage, which provides money to cover temporary housing costs when you are unable to live in your home due to a disaster. If your insurance does not include ALE or LOU, or if the money provided by insurance does not adequately cover your temporary housing need, you can submit your insurance settlement to FEMA for consideration for Rental Assistance.

 For DR-4611-LA, eligible applicants will be notified of initial assistance which is for 30 days beginning Sept. 2 through Oct. 2, 2021.