Articles

When in doubt about applying for disaster assistance, call FEMA.

 Many residents of parishes covered by last month’s presidential disaster declaration might be eligible for federal assistance but have not applied with FEMA.

Why not apply?

 Some who already have cleaned up and made repairs themselves think they cannot apply for assistance. Not true.

 Some think accepting money from FEMA might affect their Social Security checks or that a FEMA grant would be taxed as income by the IRS. Not true.

 Others hesitate in accepting taxpayer money because they feel their neighbors need it more. FEMA assistance is for all who are eligible.

 Sometimes survivors assume that once they collect on their insurance they are no longer eligible for federal help, even if the insurance payment fell short of covering the damage. Not true.

 The most common reason: The assumption that once they alert local, parish or state officials to their damage, they automatically are registered with FEMA. Not true.

Register with FEMA today.

 Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov; or

 Call 800-621-3362 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily;

 Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362;

 Download and use the FEMA app.

You Can Help to Move Your FEMA Assistance Request Forward

It’s up to you …

 Move your FEMA application for disaster assistance swiftly by providing all the information needed and then staying in touch.

 The facts you provide determine what types of assistance you may be eligible to receive. Only when all the information is complete, is FEMA able to make a decision regarding your disaster aid.

Follow up—don’t give up—if you receive an ineligibility letter.

Remember to:

 Return insurance information

o If you have flood insurance, contact your insurance company and ask for a settlement letter detailing exactly what is covered under your claim. Then turn it in to FEMA (FEMA cannot provide money to individuals or households for losses already covered by insurance).

 Provide information to prove occupancy or ownership of the damaged property

o Utility bills, tax receipts, rental receipts are all proof you lived at the address.

 Fill out all necessary paperwork and update your contact information

o Let FEMA know each time you move or change a phone number:

 By going online to DisasterAssistance.gov;

 By calling 800-621-3362 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily;

 Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362; or

 By talking face-to-face with a specialist at a disaster recovery center. Find the closest one at fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362.

 Complete and return the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan application.

o Return the completed SBA loan application even if you choose to decline the loan.

o Filling out the loan application is a necessary step to be considered for additional forms of disaster assistance.

Also in FEMA news:

Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) Program Extension

 The TSA checkout date has been extended to Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016. FEMA will contact applicants who are eligible for the extension to notify them of their new checkout date.

National Flood Insurance Program considerations

Rates

 Flood losses in Louisiana will not cause flood insurance rates to rise above scheduled annual rate increases.

o Properties located in a floodplain that have federally backed mortgages are required by law to be properly insured against known hazards, such as flooding.

o Anyone can purchase a flood insurance policy if they live in a community that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Coverage

 The NFIP offers two types of coverage — building and contents. The mortgage lender may only require you to purchase flood insurance for the structure.

Contents coverage will cover items such as personal belongings and furniture for an additional premium.

o To find your approximate flood insurance costs and the hazard level of your area, visit www.FloodSmart.gov and enter the property address. Contact your insurance agent for questions about a specific property.

Help paying for flood insurance in Louisiana

 You may have to obtain flood insurance as a condition of receiving federal disaster assistance following Louisiana’s recent severe storms and floods, but FEMA can help.

o FEMA may pay for three years’ worth of premiums if you’re a homeowner or renter who receives federal disaster help and didn’t have flood insurance.

o Keep flood insurance once FEMA stops paying your premiums to be considered for certain recovery grants after future disasters.

NFIP Deadline extended

 Policyholders now have 120 days from the date of loss to file a flood insurance claim. This extension doubles the 60-day deadline NFIP usually requires.

NFIP Milestones

 As of Sept. 16, the NFIP authorized and issued more than $373 million in payments to 28,900 policyholders so they can repair and rebuild.

Other Messages and Information for Survivors

 Scams and Frauds

o The only time disaster survivors should provide personal information is during the initial application process for FEMA or when they initiate contact with FEMA to

Daily Fact Sheet September 19, 2016 7

follow up on an application. Other than that, don’t offer personal financial information over the phone or respond to texts, phone calls or personal requests seeking your personal information.

o Know who you are dealing with. Never be shy about asking for identification. Government workers will never ask for a fee or payment. They always wear an official government photo ID.

o FEMA inspectors only require verification of identity.

o Report any suspicions of fraud by calling the Louisiana Attorney General’s Consumer Protection hotline at 800-351-4889 or law enforcement immediately.

 Resources for Disaster Survivors

 Housing, Food, Shelter

o 2-1-1 is a single access point for resources like food, clothing, shelter, financial assistance and health resources. Visit www.Louisiana211.org or follow @211Louisiana on Twitter.

o Go online to www.FoodPantries.org/st/louisiana to see a database of statewide food banks.

o Rental properties available: www.LaHousingsearch.com.

o Airbnb has also posted homes available to disaster survivors. To assist survivors, Airbnb is waiving certain fees and offering some houses at no cost. More information at: https://www.AirBnB.com/disaster/luisianaflooding.

 Legal Assistance

o Louisiana Legal Services

provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents. For more information visit LouisianaLawHelp.org.

 Volunteer information

o Volunteer and donation opportunities are available at VolunteerLouisiana.gov. You may email 2016FloodDonations@gmail.com to coordinate donations.

Information about mold at www.ldh.la.gov.

Disaster Recovery Centers

Acadia Parish

Location: Old Wells Fargo Building

10 N. Parkerson Avenue

Crowley, LA 70526

8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday.

Ascension Parish

Location: Lamar Dixon Expo Center

9039 St. Landry Avenue

Gonzales, LA 70737

8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday.

East Baton Rouge Parish

Location: 10000 Celtic Drive

Baton Rouge, LA 70809

8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday; 1-6 p.m. Sunday. Daily Fact Sheet September 19, 2016 8

East Baton Rouge

Location: New Hope Outreach Center

5856 Greenwell Springs Rd.

Baton Rouge, LA 70806

8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday; 1-6 p.m. Sunday.

Location: St. Louis King of France Catholic Church

Queen Blanche Room

2121 N. Sherwood Forest Dr.

Baton Rouge, LA 70815

8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday.

Location: Baker Council on Aging 3334 Jefferson Street

Baker, LA 70714

8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday

Closed Sunday.

Location: 2nd Baptist Church

914 N. Acadian Thruway

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday.

Location: Zachary Men’s Club 5746 Rollins Road

Zachary, LA 70791

8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Closed Sunday.

Location: City of Central Parking Lot - Mobile DRC

13421 Hooper Rd.

Central, LA 70818

8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday.

Evangeline Parish

(MDRC)

Location: North Side Civic Center, 704N. Solileau St.

Ville Platte, LA 70586

8 a.m. -6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday.

Iberia Parish

Location: Iberia Parish Fire Protection District Training Center

2417 Darnall Rd.

New Iberia, LA 70560

8 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday.

Lafayette Parish

Location: 301 West University Ave.

Lafayette, LA 70506

8 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

8 a.m. -1 p.m., Sunday

Livingston Parish

Location: North Park Recreation Center

30372 Eden Church Road

Denham Springs, LA 70726

8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday.

Location: American Legion Hall

26200 Highway 43

Springfield, LA 70733

8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday.

Location: Bass Pro Shops (MDRC)

175 Bass Pro Boulevard

Denham Springs, LA 70726

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 1-6 p.m., Sunday. Daily Fact Sheet September 19, 2016 9

Livingston Parish

Location: St. Joseph Catholic Church - Mobile DRC

15710 Highway 16

French Settlement, LA 70733

8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday; 1-6 p.m. Sunday.

Location: Recreation Center at Sidney Hutchinson Park Mobile DRC

13470 Ball Park Road

Walker, LA 70785

8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday.

St. Helena Parish

Location: St. Helena Environmental

Health Unit

53 N. 2nd St.

Greensburg, LA 70441

8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday.

St. James Parish

Location: New Zion Gospel Baptist Church

261 West Main St.

Gramercy, LA 70052

8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 1-6 p.m., Saturday. Closed Sunday.

St. Landry Parish

Location: Word Ministries

1960 W. Laurel Ave.

Eunice, LA 70535

8 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday.

St. Martin Parish

Location: Veterans Home

800 Veterans Drive

Breaux Bridge, LA 70517

8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday.

Tangipahoa Parish

Location: Former Parish Tourism Building

42271 S. Morrison Blvd.

Hammond, LA 70403

8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday.

Location: Amite City Office Complex

721 S. 1st Street

Amite, LA 70422

8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday.

Vermilion Parish

Location: Old Health Unit

401 S. St. Charles St.

Abbeville, LA 70510

8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday.

To find the nearest Disaster Recovery Center, log on with any computer, smartphone or tablet to the disaster recovery center locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator or use the FEMA app to locate open shelters and disaster recovery centers, receive severe weather alerts, safety tips and much more.