Advertisement Flooding in Louisiana: How to apply for federal disaster assistance Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Residents in 20 Louisiana parishes are now eligible for federal disaster assistance. Those parishes include: Acadia, Ascension, Avoyelles, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Point Coupee, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Vermilion, Washington and West Feliciana have joined East Baton Rouge, Livingston, St. Helena and Tangipahoa. You can register for disaster assistance in either of two ways:Online at DisasterAssistance.govBy calling 800-621-3362Survivors only need to register once. The toll-free telephone number is operating from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.The Federal Emergency Management Agency never charges fees to apply for or receive federal disaster assistance. State and federal officials encourage disaster survivors to be alert for scams and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately. Assistance provided by FEMA for homeowners and renters can include grants for rent, temporary housing and home repairs to their primary residence, as well as other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs.Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also may be available to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing personal property that has been lost or damaged due to disaster. The loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. Homeowners and renters should apply as quickly as they can, even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments but underinsured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.Residents are urged to contact their insurance company to file their flood insurance claims. For flood insurance policyholders who may have questions, FEMA has streamlined its process to better service claims and answer questions. Policyholders may call 800-621-3362 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and select option 2. Call center staff are available to assist policyholders with information regarding their policy, offer technical flood guidance to aid in recovery and respond to general as well as complicated questions about the National Flood Insurance Program. Policyholders with questions specifically about an insurance claim can be transferred to their insurance carrier for additional assistance.Keep up with local news, weather and current events with the WDSU app here.Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news right in your inbox. Click here to sign up!