FEMA and the Small Business Administration are offering assistance to individuals and businesses that suffered losses in Hurricane Ida.
Gov. John Bel Edwards said earlier this week that more than 18,000 people have applied for FEMA aid in the wake of Hurricane Ida.
Those in the 25 affected parishes can apply online through DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or through the FEMA mobile app.
FEMA assistance cannot aid with losses already covered by private insurance.
As Hurricane Ida exits southeast Louisiana, some Baton Rouge area schools are keeping campuses and, in some cases, moving to virtual classes.
The parishes are Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington , West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana.
Information needed for applicants to both FEMA and the SBA is a current phone number; address at the time of the disaster; Social Security number; a general list of damages and losses and, if insured, the policy number or the agent and company name.
Assistance may include financial help for temporary lodging and home repairs.
FEMA may assist with repairs or replacement of damaged heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems; refrigerators; stoves; electrical; plumbing and gas systems.
Also, repairs to disaster-related leaks in a roof, ceiling damages and electrical components, like overhead lights.
FEMA assistance may be used to repair a disaster-related subfloor in occupied parts of the home but not tile or carpet.
The agency may also assist with disaster-related broken windows but not blinds or draperies.
Those awarded grants should keep receipts for three years to show how the money was used.
The Small Business Administration said low-interest federal disaster loans are available to businesses and residents in the same 25 parishes.
Disaster loans of up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate.
Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.
Businesses of all sizes and private non-profit groups can borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, inventory and other business assets.
Interest rates start at 2.855% for businesses, 2% for private non-profit groups and 1.563% for homeowners and renters with terms of up to 30 years.
Terms are set by the SBA and are based on the applicant's financial condition.
The SBA is also setting up a virtual outreach center to help homeowners and renters, with customer service representatives available to business owners and homeowners to answer questions.
The center operates Monday-Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time at FOCWAssistance@sba.gov or 1-800-659-2955.
Check back with The Advocate for more details.