One Week Remains for Homeowners, Renters and Businesses to Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance

Just one week remains for Louisiana homeowners, renters or business owners in Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville and Lafayette parishes to apply for federal disaster assistance because of property damage or other eligible losses in May due to severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.

The deadline to apply for assistance from FEMA and to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is Monday, Aug. 2.

You should apply even if you have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but eligible homeowners and renters may be able to receive a grant from FEMA for losses not covered by insurance. FEMA grants can help pay for basic home repairs, temporary rental assistance and other needs such as replacing personal property. Disaster Assistance grants from FEMA’s Individual and Households Program do not have to be repaid.

You can apply in one of the following ways:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY) 800-462-7585.
• Download the FEMA Mobile App.

After applying, you may wish to visit the in-person, state-run Recovery Service Center (RSC) in Lake Charles. Experts there are assisting those affected by hurricanes Laura and Delta, the 2021 winter storms and May severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Southwest Louisiana.

The RSC is located at Washington-Marion Magnet High School, 2802 Pineview St., Lake Charles and will remain open through July 30. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

FEMA and State specialists at the RSC can help survivors with appeals, answer questions about eligibility requirements, provide guidance on FEMA programs, refer individuals to other recovery resources, plus upload survivor documents that need to be added to their FEMA case.

For additional assistance, the SBA has established a Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center that is open Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT. You can contact an SBA customer service representative via email at FOCWAssistance@sba.gov or by phone at 800-659-2955. SBA will answer specific questions about how a disaster loan may help each survivor with their disaster recovery and will provide one-on-one assistance in completing applications for these loans. You can apply online at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov.

For the latest information on severe storms, tornadoes and flooding visit fema.gov/disaster/4606. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6.