FEMA considers specific factors when determining if a survivor can return to a safe, sanitary and functional home after a storm such as Hurricane Laura. Hurricane Laura survivors who received determination letters from FEMA may have questions about how FEMA determines whether their home can be lived in. Some may question the “habitability” or “inhabitability” [...]

Louisianans are strongly urged to take advantage of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) since even though the hurricane season is coming to an end, the potential for flooding in the state remains. There normally arise many questions about the program. Here is some clarification: MYTH: You can’t buy flood insurance if you live in [...]

Determination Letters Survivors who registered with FEMA for disaster assistance as a result of Hurricane Delta will receive a determination letter explaining the eligibility decision and the reason for that decision. For those who are eligible, the letter states the dollar amount of the grant and how the funds should be used. When ineligible, the [...]

Q: What is Direct Housing? A: FEMA Housing Assistance may be provided in the form of financial assistance (funds provided to an applicant) or direct assistance (housing provided to the applicant.) For Hurricane Laura, direct housing assistance is authorized in the form of transportable temporary housing units (TTHUs), such as recreational vehicles (RVs) (or “travel [...]

BATON ROUGE, La. — Disaster Legal Services (DLS) provides free legal assistance to low- income hurricane survivors who cannot afford to hire a lawyer after a disaster. Members of the American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division advise and provide legal representation at no charge. There are certain limitations. Assistance is not available for cases that [...]