More Parishes Designated For Added Assistance
Release Date: September 30, 2005
Release Number: 1603-051
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Baton Rouge, La. - Six more Louisiana parishes have been added to the list of parishes eligible for additional disaster assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Individual assistance for Ascension, Sabine, St. Landry, St. Martin, Vernon and West Baton Rouge parishes has been made available to help homeowners, renters and business owners recover from the effects of Hurricane Rita. All six parishes were previously designated for public assistance programs for emergency services and eligible debris removal.
The number of parishes now eligible for individual assistance in the wake of Hurricane Rita stands at 18. Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, St. Mary, Terrebonne and Vermilion parishes had been designated earlier.
In addition Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, St. Mary, Terrebonne and Vermilion parishes are now eligible for all categories of assistance under FEMA's Public Assistance Program. In addition to reimbursement for eligible costs for emergency services and debris removal, these parishes are now eligible to receive funds to help restore vital public and certain non-profit infrastructure such as roads, buildings, bridges and utilities.
Federal, state and local officials announced that the parishes were added after further federal/state damage assessments. Damage assessments are ongoing and more parishes may be designated for additional assistance at a later date after further evaluation.
Individual Assistance can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other aid programs. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.
Affected residents and business owners in the designated parishes can begin the disaster application process by calling the toll-free registration number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice. Those with a speech or hearing impairment can call a special TTY number at 1-800-462-7585. Applicants can also register online at www.fema.gov.
Last Modified: Monday, 03-Oct-2005 06:24:08