Louisiana homeowners and renters affected by Hurricane Ida who live in parishes that have recently been designated for Individual Assistance could be eligible for help from FEMA.
The parishes are: 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.
If you have homeowners or renters insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If you are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for federal assistance.
The fastest and easiest way to apply is by visiting disasterassistance.gov/. If it is not possible to apply online, call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). The toll-free telephone lines operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT, seven days a week. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service.
Spanish-speakers can call or text the hotline and press “2” for bilingual support. Callers can also connect with counselors in over 100 other languages via 3rd-party interpretation services by indicating their preferred language to the responding counselor, who will connect to a live interpreter.
When you apply for assistance, have the following information readily available:
As soon as it is safe to do so, start cleaning up. Take photos to document damage and begin cleanup and repairs to prevent further damage. Remember to keep receipts from all purchases related to the cleanup and repair.
Disaster assistance may include financial help for temporary lodging and home repairs along with other programs to assist families recover from the effects of the event.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans are available for homeowners, renters, businesses of any size and most nonprofits. Similar to FEMA, SBA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance.
For small businesses, those engaged in aquaculture and most nonprofits, up to $2 million is available for working capital needs even if there was no property damage, with a $2 million maximum loan for any combination of property damage and working capital needs.
For homeowners: up to $200,000 is available to repair or replace their primary residence. For homeowners and renters: up to $40,000 is available to replace personal property, including vehicles.
Businesses and residents can apply online at sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance. For questions and assistance completing an application, call 800-659-2955 or email FOCWAssistance@sba.gov. SBA will answer specific questions about how a disaster loan may help each survivor recover from the disaster damage
For the latest information visit fema.gov/disaster/4611. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.
You Asked: My home is damaged and needs repairs. Can I get FEMA help for rental assistance?
Hurricane Ida survivors whose homes in the 25 designated Louisiana parishes were made unlivable or unsafe may be eligible for temporary rental assistance from FEMA.
This form is for residents of Louisiana, and surrounding areas in the Gulf Coast South, who were impacted by Hurricane Ida to list the items they need to help clean-up and rebuild their homes and communities. The Mutual Aid Disaster Relief network is comprised of organizers in the southeastern U.S., Gulf Coast states, and across the country, who are partnering with local mutual aid and community groups and volunteers on the ground in Louisiana to support a grassroots disaster relief response and communal recovery.
Sign UpProvides mutual aid through direct cash assistance. Direct message their Instagram @mutualaidlouisiana with your Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App handle or send them a request through their cash app: $MutualAidLA, Venmo:@MutualAidLouisiana, or PayPal: mutualaidlouisiana@gmail.com
Louisiana participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can use their benefits to purchase “hot” or prepared foods through September 28, 2021. DSNAP benefits have not been approved yet, but residents are encouraged to preregister.
SNAP recipients are not eligible for DSNAP and should not register or apply. If SNAP clients are eligible for additional benefits in the event of a disaster, those benefits would either be loaded onto their EBT cards automatically or the SNAP recipients would have to submit a form through a process other than the DSNAP.
PreregisterTo speed along the application process, residents should also download the free LA Wallet mobile app now. LA Wallet provides identity and residency verification required for DSNAP applications.
Download Now
HUD Announces Disaster Assistance For Louisiana
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the implementation of federal disaster assistance for areas in the State of Louisiana affected by Hurricane Ida.
Providing immediate foreclosure relief – HUD’s automatic 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured home mortgages commenced on the date of the Presidential major disaster declaration, and foreclosures of mortgages to Native American borrowers guaranteed under the Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee program. For assistance, call your loan servicer or FHA’s Resource Center at 1-800-304-9320.
Making mortgage insurance available– HUD’s Section 203(h) program provides FHA insurance to disaster victims whose homes were destroyed or damaged to such an extent that reconstruction or replacement is necessary and are facing the daunting task of rebuilding or buying another home. Borrowers from participating FHA-approved lenders are eligible for 100 percent financing, including closing costs.
Making insurance available for both mortgages and home rehabilitation – HUD’s Section 203(k) loan program enables those who have lost their homes to finance the purchase or refinance of a house along with its repair through a single mortgage. It also allows homeowners who have damaged houses to finance the rehabilitation of their existing single-family home.
Sharing information on housing providers and HUD programs – The Department will share information with FEMA and the State on housing providers that may have available units in the impacted counties. This includes Public Housing Agencies, Tribally-Designated Housing Entities, and Multi-Family owners. The Department will also connect FEMA and the State to subject matter experts to provide information on HUD programs and providers.
Providing flexibility to states and local governments – HUD will issue regulatory waivers to allow communities more flexibility to use their existing Community Development Block Grant, Continuum of Care, HOME, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS, and Emergency Solutions Grant funds. These waivers will make it easier for communities to respond quickly in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.
Providing flexibility to Public Housing Authorities – Public Housing Authorities can apply for needed administrative flexibility through disaster waivers, in response to the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Ida. For detailed information on applying for a waiver, click for the latest guidance Federal Register Disaster Relief Notice. The Department also released PIH Notice 2021-14, which granted administrative flexibilities to waive or establish alternative requirements for numerous statutory and regulatory requirements for various Public Housing Programs. As a reminder, to be eligible to receive a disaster waiver, the PHA must be located in an active Major Disaster Declaration (MDD) area and submit a waiver within four months of a disaster.
Providing flexibility to Tribes – Tribes and their Tribally Designated Housing Entities can apply for needed administrative flexibility through regulatory waivers, in response to the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Ida. For detailed information on how to apply for a waiver, Tribes and TDHEs should contact their local Office of Native American Programs or email Codetalk@hud.gov.
Ensuring HUD-approved housing counseling agencies are ready to assist – HUD-approved housing counseling agencies have counselors available to assist those who are impacted by natural disasters to determine assistance needs and available resources. Find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency.
Assisting with housing discrimination – Housing discrimination sometimes occurs when people are attempting to find housing following a disaster. HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity is available to assist people who believe they have experienced housing discrimination. If you think your rights have been violated, you should file a fair housing complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). You can file a complaint by calling HUD at 1-800-669-977 or visiting How to File a Complaint on HUD’s website. Materials and assistance are available for persons with limited English proficiency. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact the Department using the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339. You should file a complaint with HUD as soon as possible. HUD may be unable to help you if your complaint is filed more than one year after the last discriminatory act. You may also be able to file a complaint with a state or local fair housing agency. A list of the state and local fair housing agencies funded by HUD is available on HUD’s website here.
Community Power Maps and charging stations for Orleans, St. Bernard, Jefferson, and Plaquemines parishes.
Community Power Maps
The HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHA) activated its Disaster Distress helpline.
This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 via telephone (1-800-985-5990) and SMS (text ‘TalkWithUs’ to 66746) to disaster survivors in Louisiana experiencing emotional distress. A videophone option for deaf or hard-of-hearing American Sign Language users is also available by dialing the helpline from a videophone-enabled device or accessing the “ASL Now” link.
Disaster Distress
A toll-free legal aid hotline is now available for those in Louisiana impacted by the Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding. The service, which provides legal referral information for low-income individuals with disaster legal needs, is a partnership between the Louisiana State Bar Association, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Low-income survivors facing legal issues may call 1-800-310-7029 to learn of the available civil legal resources in their area. The automated hotline is not staffed by individuals, but recorded messages will direct callers to legal resources where they can reach a live contact. The hotline is available 24/7 and callers can leave a message any time.
In addition to the hotline, low-income consumers can also get help through the Louisiana Free Legal Answers, an online pro bono program that is part of ABA Free Legal Answers which allows users to ask civil legal questions that may be answered by volunteer attorneys.
Referral agencies generally address disaster legal issues such as:
Survivors should be aware that there are some limitations on free disaster legal services. For example, a caller may not qualify for civil legal aid because they do not meet the income guidelines of the organization.
PODS are continuing to distribute ice, water, food, and tarps.
The following information has been distributed by GOHSEP.
Ascension Parish
Assumption Parish
Jefferson Parish
Lafourche Parish
Livingston Parish
Orleans Parish
Plaquemines Parish
St. Bernard Parish
St. Charles Parish
St. Helena Parish
St. James Parish
St. John Parish
St. Tammany Parish
Tangipahoa Parish
Terrebonne Parish
Washington Parish
EFFECTIVE: Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Retail and Delivery operations in the 700, 701, 703 and 704 3-Digit ZIP Code Areas are resuming effective Tuesday, September 7, 2021.
Employee availability may impact service in certain facilities.
Retail and Delivery operations are closed at the following facilities due to safety concerns.
Due to safety concerns, Retail operations for the impacted facilities listed below will be available on-site through a Mobile Retail Unit. Delivery operations for the impacted facilities have been moved to the alternate Post Office location identified. Drop shipments will be available at the respective alternate locations.
8-31-21
700, 701, 703-708 3-digit ZIP Code areas
All retail and delivery operations for facilities in the 705-708 3-digit ZIP Code areas have resumed.
Retail and delivery operations remain suspended in 700, 701, 703 and 704 3-digit ZIP Code areas until further notice. Due to storm damage and safety concerns, facilities are currently being evaluated. No alternate sites have been identified at this time for impacted facilities in these 3-digit ZIP Code areas.
8-27-21
All operations in the following Post Offices are closed until further notice due to mandatory evacuation:
No alternate sites are available.
1-888-411-1333. Free, confidential, and open 24 hours. Spanish translation is available.
The following resources were provided by Operation Restoration for previously incarcerated individuals.
Operation Restoration https://www.or-nola.org/
Catholic Charities https://www.ccano.org/
Another Gulf Is Possible https://anothergulf.com/
The First 72 Plus https://www.first72plus.org/
Imagine Water Works https://www.imaginewaterworks.org/
Step Up Louisiana https://www.stepuplouisiana.org/
Rebuilding Together New Orleans https://www.rtno.org
As Operation Restoration recovers from Hurricane Ida, they ask that anyone with the capacity to assist OR staff and community members with navigating disaster relief applications — applying, appealing decisions, gathering documentation, etc. reach out at info@or-nola.org, with the subject line “Volunteer for Disaster Assistance.”
