FEMA says they are making progress when it comes to assisting with recovery from Ida.
The direct, short-term, housing assistance team continues to roll out manufactured housing units and travel trailers. As of Dec. 17, FEMA says 233 units have been “licensed in,” which means families have been given the keys and taken possession of their temporary home and survivors will continued to be licensed-in throughout the holidays.
More than 816,000 Louisianans have been approved for federal assistance. To date, more than $1 billion has been put in the hands of survivors. More than 614,000 households have received more than $807,000 in Critical Needs Assistance. In addition, FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has paid $585 million in 14,359 claims that have been submitted. Individuals have also been approved for more than $1.2 billion in home loan assistance through the Small Business Administration.
FEMA is also working hard to find financial help for survivors who don’t qualify for federal assistance. Using an automation calling center, FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) team contacted survivors generating more than $6 million in insurance (coverage) funds to survivors.
Additionally, survivors can meet face-to-face with mitigation experts for rebuilding and repairing advice at big box stores from Dec. 27 – 30 and Jan. 3. Those experts will also be available at FEMA DRCs as long as they remain open. You may also call 833-FEMA-4-US or 833-336-2487 to speak to a mitigation specialist. You can email a specialist at FEMA-LAMit@fema.dhs.gov.
To learn the status of your application, residents of all parishes affected by Hurricane Ida can talk with FEMA specialists at Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) Monday – Friday. For locations and hours of operation check the FEMA app or visit www.FEMA.gov/DRC. All centers follow COVID-19 precautions.
Masks are required for employees, volunteers and survivors.
