Reminder on how to apply for FEMA disaster relief as communities mark 1 month of Arthur recovery
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Friday marks one month since Tropical Storm Arthur dumped heavy rain and flooded several Louisiana parishes. While Baton Rouge avoided the worst of the storm, many neighboring communities were hit hard and are now applying for disaster relief assistance.
With hurricane season still underway, FEMA outlined the steps residents can take to apply for federal disaster assistance.
How to apply
Residents can apply for FEMA assistance through three options:
- Disasterassistance.gov — An “Apply Now” button in red appears on the homepage.
- FEMA App — Available on mobile devices.
- FEMA helpline — Call 1-800-621-3362.
Fred Custer, a FEMA media relations specialist, said residents should act quickly after a storm. “Be patient, make the move and sign in with FEMA as soon as you can,” Custer said.
FEMA said documenting losses is a critical step, as the agency can cover losses that flood insurance does not.
What to expect after you apply
After submitting an application, residents should expect a FEMA inspector to make contact within 10 days. FEMA has averaged 63 major disaster responses per year over the past 10 years — a 61% increase from when the agency was first founded, according to Congress.gov.
Custer said preparedness remains important even as forecasting improves. “Things are very well tracked compared to years gone by but sometimes these hurricanes catch people by surprise,” he said.
Residents should have the following documents ready for the inspection:
- Photo ID
- Proof of home ownership at the time of the disaster
- Receipts for home repairs or replacement of damaged items
- Photos of damage
After the inspection
Within 10 days of the inspection, FEMA will send a letter explaining the applicant’s approval status, the amount of relief approved, and how the assistance must be used.
If the letter indicates an applicant is not approved, FEMA said that does not mean the claim is denied. Applicants may need to submit additional information or supporting documentation. The letter will also explain how to appeal the decision.
How FEMA pays out relief
FEMA disaster relief payments can be issued through the following methods:
- Direct deposit to a bank account
- Credit to a Visa or Mastercard debit card
- Credit to a debit card already used to receive other federal benefits
- An electronic check from FEMA
- A PayPal account
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