Rebuilding: FEMA Grant Assistance + Transitional Sheltering Assistance in the Wake of Hurricane Ida
Information to help businesses and individuals applying for FEMA Disaster Assistance in the wake of Hurricane Ida and other disasters around the US.
—
How is FEMA Assistance Different from Insurance?⟶
How Do I Apply for FEMA Assistance? ⟶
What is FEMA Assistance?
FEMA provides financial benefits to eligible applicants who are not insured or underinsured, but those benefits occur after an insurance settlement. Disaster assistance may include financial assistance for temporary lodging and home repairs, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. FEMA can't duplicate benefits from insurance or pay your deductible.
How is FEMA Assistance Different from Insurance?
FEMA assistance differs from insurance in that it only provides the basic needs to make a home safe, sanitary and functional. FEMA assistance does not make you whole again, but it can give you a helping hand to recover. FEMA disaster assistance covers basic needs only and will not normally compensate you for your entire loss. Home damage must be related to Hurricane Ida or the disaster in your area. FEMA inspectors may contact survivors who apply to arrange for an inspection appointment.
How Do I Apply for FEMA Assistance?
For Businesses
Businesses looking for assistance should first register their claim through FEMA. FEMA does not provide assistance to businesses directly affected but does act as a pass-through to the SBA for claims. Please visit the Small Business Administration’s Disaster Assistance website [HERE].
If you file your claim with FEMA as a business, it has been advised to do so by calling FEMA directly. Some have chosen to do this if you have both a personal claim and a business claim. You CANNOT file directly online via the portal. The only portal is used for individual claims. When you call FEMA, you set up an account, which is tied to a social security number. If you have more than one restaurant or business that you need to file claims for, you will set up one account and any additional businesses are listed in the application comments section. This is worth noting to ensure the notes in the comments are clearly listed.
Apply for Disaster Assistance - Businesses
For Individuals
Individuals looking for Individual Assistance, please visit disasterassistance.gov for assistance [HERE].
Apply for Disaster Assistance - Individuals
Internet
www.DisasterAssistance.gov
Disaster survivors may apply for the Individuals and Households Program or check their application status at www.disasterassistance.gov.
Smartphone Application
Google Play Apple App Store
Disaster survivors may also access FEMA via smartphone by downloading the application from www.fema.gov or through their mobile provider’s application store.
By Phone
800-621-3362
Disaster survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and use a Text Telephone (TTY) may call 800-462-7585. Disaster survivors who use 711 or VRS (Video Relay Service) may call 800-621-3362.
In-Person
Disaster Recovery Center.
East New Orleans Public Library
5641 Read Blvd.New Orleans, LA 70127
—
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday - Saturday
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays
Qualifying for Disaster Assistance
Businesses of all sizes located in declared disaster areas, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters affected by declared disasters, including civil unrest and natural disasters such as hurricanes, flooding, and wildfires To look up declared disaster areas, please visit SBA's Disaster Declarations
Types of Disaster Loans:
Physical Damage Loans | Loans to cover repairs and replacement of physical assets damaged in a declared disaster.
Mitigation Assistance | Funding to cover small business operating expenses after a declared disaster.
Economic Injury Disaster Assistance | This loan provides economic relief to small businesses and nonprofit organizations that have suffered damage to their home or personal property.
Military Reservist Loan | SBA provides loans to help eligible small businesses with operating expenses to make up for employees on active duty leave.
Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA)
The information below was released on 9/2/2021 by FEMA [HERE]
Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) is a FEMA program and must be requested by a state. It allows for temporary, short-term accommodations for eligible survivors when other housing options are not available after a presidentially declared disaster.
Who is eligible for TSA?
A survivor must first apply with FEMA. They must also pass identity verification
Their pre-disaster primary residence must be in a designated Parish for TSA
Have verified occupancy
Be displaced from and unable to live in their pre-disaster residence.
Can a disaster survivor request TSA?
No. FEMA will identify survivors who may be eligible and have a need for this specific assistance. FEMA will communicate TSA eligibility through a variety of methods including voice; text; and email.
How do I apply for FEMA assistance?
Survivors in one of the parishes designated for Individual Assistance can apply with FEMA for assistance by using the FEMA app, online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by telephone at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-758. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel should provide FEMA their specific number assigned to that service. .
Does a survivor have to book their own hotel rooms?
Yes. TSA-eligible applicants must find and book their own hotel rooms. The list of participating hotels will be posted on DisasterAssistance.gov, under the link Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program or you can get it by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. For TTY, call 800-462-7585. For 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.
Applicants with disabilities or who have access and functional needs should check with hotels to ensure appropriate accommodations are available before confirming a reservation. Pet owners must check to see if pets are accepted. Applicants must show photo identification and adhere to any hotel check-in requirements.
Can I stay in another state?
Due to high usage of hotels/motels in the affected area, it may be difficult to locate available participating lodging. A survivor may have to travel a significant distance to locate an available room which may include searching out of state. For the Hurricane Ida disaster declaration in Louisiana, TSA approved hotels are limited to Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
Does FEMA pay for my meals, laundry or parking while I’m at the hotel?
No. FEMA only pays for the room and any applicable taxes and pet fees. The eligible applicant is responsible for all other incidental costs (meals, transportation, etc.)
How long can I stay at the hotel?
For DR-4611-LA, eligible applicants will be notified of initial assistance which is for 30 days beginning Sept. 2 through Oct. 2, 2021.
I’ve been staying in a hotel prior to Sept. 2, 2021, will FEMA pay my hotel bill?
TSA eligibility is not retroactive. However, survivors can provide their receipts and submit them to FEMA. They may be eligible for lodging expense reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses that are not covered by additional living expenses or other housing assistance through insurance.
Does a survivor have to sign anything when checking in?
Survivors are required to sign a Terms and Conditions document when you check-in to a TSA hotel. By signing the Terms and Conditions, they agree to abide by TSA program guidelines to remain eligible.
I am a lodging property owner. How can I add my property to a FEMA approved list?
If lodging properties are interested in participating in FEMA’s TSA program for disaster survivors, they may email femahousing@clclodging.com or call 866-545-9865 to speak with representatives from Corporate Lodging Consultants, who manage the enrollment of lodging providers. Additional information about emergency lodging can be found at Emergency Lodging Assistance Program.
Disclaimer: The consolidated resources are here for your consideration. The information provided above is not legal advice. We recommend talking to your lawyer to ensure all state + federal compliance is maintained. If you do not have legal representation, we would be happy to connect you with legal counsel. We understand that circumstances are changing quickly and we are updating content as it is available.
