Renters In Louisiana With Food Damage May Be Eligible FEMA

Louisiana renters who experienced losses due to the severe storms and flooding that started on Aug. 11, 2016, may be eligible for disaster recovery assistance from FEMA and the U.S Small Business Administration (SBA).

Louisiana renters with flood damage may be eligible to receive grants from FEMA to help with disaster-related expenses like:

*Renting a new place if former home was damaged due to the disaster.

*Disaster related medical and dental expenses.

*Replacement or repair of necessary personal property lost or damaged, like appliances and furniture, textbooks and computers used by students, and work equipment or tools used by the self-employed.

*Vehicle repair or replacement if damaged by the disaster.

*Disaster-related funeral and burial expenses.

It's important to know that FEMA grants are not loans and do not have to be repaid. They are not taxable income and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid, welfare assistance, SNAP benefits and several other programs.

Renters may also qualify for low-interest loans of up to $40,000 from the SBA in order to repair or replace personal property.  Renters who sustained losses may apply for assistance online by computer, smart phone or tablet at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling (800) 621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711 or video relay service can call (800) 621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Those with smartphones can also download the FEMA mobile app to get disaster resources, weather alerts, safety tips and more. The app could be used to make a customized checklist of emergency supplies, maps of open shelters and weather alerts for up to five locations across the country. Users can even send notifications to your device to remind you to prepare for disasters.

For more info about disaster loans, call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at (800)659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit sba.gov/disaster. TTY users may call 800-877-8339. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4277, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA and fema.gov/blog.