If you were affected by Hurricane Laura from Aug. 22-27, and you live in Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Sabine, Vermilion, Vernon or Winn Parish, you may be eligible for FEMA help.
There’s a lot of information from FEMA, and residents should be sure they are dealing with FEMA and not someone trying to scam them. Here’s some information for residents:
Rent and repairs to the home
Assistance provided by FEMA for homeowners and renters can include grants for rent and repairs to make their primary home habitable. It can also help other serious disaster-related needs like replacing essential household items, medical and dental expenses and funeral and burial costs.
Survivors should file an insurance claim at the same time as they apply to FEMA. Save yourself time, if you have insurance, you must file a claim.
If you have uninsured or underinsured losses, contact FEMA by either going online to disasterassistance.gov, downloading the FEMA app or by calling the helpline at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585.
You will need the address of the damaged primary dwelling, current mailing address, current telephone number, insurance information, total household annual income, routing and account number for checking or savings account so FEMA can directly transfer disaster assistance funds and a description of disaster-caused damage and losses.
Keep in touch
Louisiana homeowners and renters who registered for FEMA disaster assistance after Hurricane Laura should stay in touch with FEMA to ensure the disaster assistance process stays on track.
Survivors should update contact information as soon as possible because FEMA may need to reach them to perform virtual home inspections or get additional information.
For the latest information on Hurricane Laura, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4559 or follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6.
Appealing decisions
Everybody has a right to appeal. There are common reasons why FEMA may have denied your application. Read your determination letter carefully to understand FEMA’s decision and know exactly what you need to do for your appeal. Often, applicants just need to submit some extra documents for FEMA to process their application.
There are four ways to submit your letter and documents. Be sure to include the cover letter you received from FEMA when you submit them.
1. Mail documents and your letter within 60 days of receiving your determination letter to the address below.
FEMA National Processing Service Center
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055
2. Fax them to 800-827-8112.
3. Upload them online at disasterassistance.gov if you have a FEMA online account. To set up a FEMA online account, visit the site and click on “Check Your Application and Log In” and follow the directions.
4. Visit a FEMA drive-thru Disaster Recovery Center. The center operates under strict COVID-19 protocols to ensure the safety of all participants. Masks or face coverings are required for entry and service. You will remain in your car. A specialist wearing a face mask will receive your documents through the window and return them to you. Find your closest center by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585, going online to disasterassistance.gov or downloading the FEMA app.
Watch out for scams
When natural disasters occur, it is common for some people to try to take advantage of survivors by posing as official disaster aid workers trying to help survivors complete their applications.
Scam attempts can be made over the phone, by mail or email, text or in person. Louisiana survivors of Hurricane Laura should be aware of fraud and scams and report any suspicious activity or potential fraud from scam artists, identity thieves and other criminals.
Federal and state workers never ask for or accept money and always carry identification badges. There is no fee required to apply for or to get federal disaster assistance.
If something makes you feel uncomfortable, check with FEMA or local law enforcement to ensure your identity is protected.
Those who question the validity of a contact or suspect fraud are encouraged to call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. Complaints also may be made by contacting local law enforcement.
Drive-thru
Two drive-thrus have been set up as of press time. Different from the standard in-person facility, the new feature of the centers is an easy and COVID-safe way for Hurricane Laura survivors to have documents scanned into their case file.
The drive-thru in Jeff Davis Parish opened Monday, September 7, at Lassine High School, 409 Algonia Ave., Lacassine, La. 70650.
The drive-thru center in Calcasieu Parish is at the Calcasieu Parish School Board, 3310 Broad St., Lake Charles, La. 70615.
No appointments are necessary. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. The center operates under strict COVID-19 protocols to ensure visitors are safe. Masks or face coverings are required for entry and service. Survivors remain in their cars. A specialist wearing a face mask will receive documents through the window and return them.
Survivors do not need to visit a drive-thru center to apply or update their application. To ask individual questions or submit information:
Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585.
