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Recovering after Hurricane Francine may be difficult and overwhelming. FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are meeting Louisiana residents where they are to help them apply for FEMA assistance and to assist them on their road to recovery.

To ensure Louisianians can apply for assistance, FEMA sends Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams into disaster-affected neighborhoods, often going door- to-door to help residents.

DSA teams are currently visiting neighborhoods in Ascension, Assumption, St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes but will be visiting other disaster-affected parishes. The FEMA staff may help Louisiana residents apply for federal assistance, identify potential needs and help make connections with local, state, federal and voluntary agencies.

These teams are easily recognizable by their official photo identification (ID). If you meet people offering assistance, first ask to see their ID before giving them your personal information. They may have FEMA clothing, but that can be easily imitated.

The FEMA teams can help Louisiana residents in several ways including:

• Checking the status of an application already in the system and making minor changes to applications.
• Providing registration assistance.
• Identifying organizations providing disaster-related services and/or resources to the public for immediate and long-term recovery.
• Gathering situational awareness about impacts to communities.
• Providing civil rights and disability integration assistance information to ensure equal access.

Louisianians can apply to FEMA in several ways:

• Going online to DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Downloading the FEMA App for mobile devices.
• Calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Calls are accepted every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service.

To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance – YouTube.

For the latest information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4817. Follow FEMA Region 6 on social media at x.com/FEMARegion6 and facebook.com/femaregion6.

The NOW program provides services in the home and in the community to individuals 3 years of age or older who are eligible to receive OCDD waiver services. NOW is intended to provide specific activity-focused services rather than continuous custodial care.

Louisiana homeowners and renters who sustained losses caused by Hurricane Francine may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance.

FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs.

Financial assistance is available to eligible homeowners and renters in the following parishes.

As of September 17, 2024

• Ascension
• Assumption
• Lafourche
• St. Charles
• St. James
• St. John the Baptist
• St. Mary
• Terrebonne

As of September 23, 2024

• Jefferson Parish

FEMA’s disaster assistance offers new benefits that provide flexible funding directly to survivors. In addition, a simplified process and expanded eligibility allows Louisianans access to a wider range of assistance and immediate funds for serious needs.

FEMA and the State of Louisiana are providing disaster assistance to people with disabilities and access and functional needs. Assistance is also available for those who communicate in languages other than English. 

Some individuals with or without a disability may have temporary or long-term conditions where they also need a little extra help but might not think to ask for it. FEMA offers extra help to people such as older adults, and people who have difficulty with English. 

Earlier this year, FEMA announced updates to disaster assistance. These changes provide disaster support by increasing accessibility and eligibility for affected people, families and communities. 

Homeowners and renters in Jefferson Parish are now eligible for FEMA assistance to help them recover from Hurricane Francine. 

Jefferson Parish joins Ascension, Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes, which were previously approved for Individual Assistance. 

Assistance for eligible survivors can help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs. Also, low-interest disaster loans from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available for businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private nonprofits, homeowners and renters. 

Biden-Harris Administration Reforms Disaster Assistance Program to Help Survivors Recover Faster

Individual Assistance | FEMA.gov

People with Disabilities | disasterassistance.gov