FEMA is providing financial assistance to applicants with immediate or critical needs because they are displaced from their primary residence. Those needs include but are not limited to water, food, first aid, medical supplies, and fuel for transportation. FEMA spokesperson Patrick Boland said those in affected parishes should register for $500 critical needs assistance.
“Anybody who’s eligible for this program whose housing or living situation has been disrupted by the storm. That accounts for just about everybody who’s been impacted relative to their housing situation or with unmet needs,” said Boland.
You can do so by either calling FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) but be prepared for long hold times or if you have internet access register at DisasterAssistance.gov. Boland said you can receive the funds by whichever method is most convenient.
“It can be sent to someone’s bank account, or it can be issued other ways. Cards can be distributed to people on-site. Whatever is the most is most accessible to people to take advantage of this,” said Boland.
Boland said more than 131 thousand have already received the $500 critical needs assistance with FEMA in Louisiana, the majority of which are from Orleans, St. Tammany, and Jefferson Parishes.
Boland highly encourages those in the affected parishes to register to get immediate relief. Even if you aren’t sure if you are eligible Boland said FEMA will make the determination, but the first step is the register.
“If you’ve been injured, or have losses, or having issues with your shelter, this is absolutely meant for you, so I encourage people to take advantage of it. Even if you don’t think you might be eligible for it go ahead and register for it anyway,” said
The FEMA designated parishes for assistance include Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana Parishes.
- Call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
- or register online at DisasterAssistance.gov
- Grants from FEMA are not loans, and don’t have to be repaid. They are not taxable income and won’t affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
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