Louisiana Residents Can Begin Applying For FEMA Assistance

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced on Tuesday (August 31) that Louisiana homeowners and renters affected by Hurricane Ida can now apply for assistance.

To be eligible, residents must live in one of the following parishes that have been designated for Individual Assistance, per KATC: 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.

Homeowners in these parishes seeking assistance are encouraged to file a claim with FEMA as soon as possible at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. any day of the week. Here's what you need when applying:

• Current phone number where you can be contacted
• Your address at the time of the disaster as well as the address where you are currently staying
• Your Social Security Number, if available
• A general list of damages/losses
• The policy number or name of agent/company if insured

Additionally, take photos of the damage and keep receipts from any purchases related to cleanup and repair.

On Tuesday, FEMA also warned residents of rumors circulating online that the agency was paying for the hotels of people who had evacuated because of the storm. While this isn't necessarily the case, residents can apply for Disaster Assistance here to see if they are eligible for that type of assistance.

For more information on FEMA's Hurricane Ida coverage, visit the agency's website here.