Assistance Available for Hurricane Francine Survivors in Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, La. (KPEL News) – While all eyes and attention have been on the eastern seaboard in the wake of Hurricane Helene, many in the Bayou State are still suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine.

If you or a loved one were affected by Hurricane Francine, there are still opportunities to get assistance. FEMA’s disaster assistance offers benefits that provide flexible funding directly to survivors when needed the most. In addition, a simplified process and expanded eligibility allows Louisianans access to a wider range of assistance and funds for serious needs.

Read More: Louisiana Can Help the People of Florida by Donating Supplies

Read More: Video of Houses Floating Away in Hurricane Helene's Storm Surge

If you have serious needs due to Hurricane Francine, you may qualify for a one-time payment of $750 per household through FEMA’s Serious Need Assistance (SNA). This payment would be in addition to any other assistance from FEMA.

SNA is money to pay for emergency supplies like water, food, first aid, breastfeeding supplies, infant formula, diapers, personal hygiene items, or fuel for transportation. It is available in all disasters declared for Individual Assistance and is available to eligible survivors who apply within the first 30 days after the disaster was declared.

Another benefit is FEMA’s Displacement Assistance which includes money to help with housing needs if you cannot return to your home because of the disaster. The money can be used to stay in a hotel, with family and friends or other options.

These benefits are available to eligible survivors living in Ascension, Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes who apply for FEMA’s Individual Assistance.

Serious Needs Assistance and Displacement Assistance require an inspection to confirm eligibility before funds are provided to applicants.

You may be eligible for Serious Needs Assistance or Displacement Assistance if:

• You complete a FEMA application;
• FEMA can confirm your identity;
• The home where you live most of the year is in a declared disaster area;
• FEMA confirms the disaster damage from an inspection and documents you send; and
• You apply for FEMA assistance by October 16, 2024.

To watch an accessible video about Serious Needs Assistance, go to FEMA Accessible: Serious Needs Assistance (youtube.com).

Apply to FEMA

Survivors can apply to FEMA in several ways including online at DisasterAssistance.gov, downloading the FEMA App for mobile devices, or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Calls are accepted every day from 6 a.m. to 11 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 the FEMA Region 6 X account at X.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.

FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.

FEMA Civil Rights Office works to ensure assistance is distributed equitably, without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Any disaster survivor or member of the public may contact the Civil Rights Office if they feel that they are the victim of discrimination. FEMA’s Civil Rights Office can be contacted toll-free at 833-285-7448. Multilingual operators are available. Press #2 for Spanish.