Louisiana (DR-4611) Frequently Asked Questions and Rumor Control

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We continue to work with federal, state, local, tribal and community partners to support the ongoing response for Ida. As clean up efforts begin, this page offers answers to frequently asked questions and rumors about Louisiana (DR-4611).

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Frequently Asked Questions and Rumors

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What criteria does FEMA look at before they decide if I am eligible for Rental Assistance?

To be eligible for Rental Assistance, you must meet the following basic eligibility criteria:

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified non-citizen.
  • FEMA must be able to verify your identity.
  • Your insurance, or other forms of disaster assistance received, cannot meet your disaster-caused needs.
  • FEMA must verify that your home is unlivable due to the disaster and you must agree to relocate.
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.

Where can I upload my lodging expense receipts?

Applicants can upload their receipts online to their DisasterAssistance.gov account. All documents should include the registration and disaster number. Download instructions on how to upload your documents. This information is available in multiple languages.

Survivors can also submit through standard mail at:
P.O. Box 10055, Attn: FEMA 
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055 

Or Fax 1-800-827-8112 (Cover sheet required)

Are Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA), Lodging Expense Reimbursement (LER), and rental assistance all the same?

No. They are different.

TSA is a FEMA program that is approved for eligible disasters. It allows for temporary, short-term lodging at a participating hotel/motel, that FEMA pays for directly. Survivors may not request TSA. Those who are eligible will be contacted by FEMA about their eligibility.

If you need short-term lodging at a hotel or motel because you cannot stay at your home due to the disaster, FEMA may be able to reimburse your out-of-pocket lodging expenses (room and tax) through Lodging Expense Reimbursement.

Rental assistance is money to rent alternate housing accommodations, like an apartment, while your home is being repaired or until you find a permanent post-disaster housing solution. For applicants who have a documented, continued temporary housing need, Rental Assistance may be available for up to 18 months from the date of the disaster.

My personal property was damaged, is there financial help available for my losses?

Assistance is available for eligible survivors, including renters, with uninsured and underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs. This may include funds to replace or repair necessary personal property, a vehicle, uninsured or out-of-pocket medical, dental, childcare, moving and storage expenses.

What if I returned home to find damage I did not know about previously?

If you returned home and discovered property damage, update your application with FEMA by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

Property damage will be evaluated by a FEMA inspector.

Where can I find information on renter’s rights and guidance related to evictions?

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides some guidance on renter's rights. Additional help may be available by calling the toll-free legal aid hotline at (800) 310-7029.

I was receiving rental assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and was displaced due to federally declared disaster. Do I qualify for FEMA disaster assistance?

If you were forced to leave your HUD-assisted housing because of a disaster, you may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance for damage or expenses caused by the disaster that were not covered by HUD. If your home was made unlivable because of the disaster and there is no other available HUD housing available to you, FEMA may also assist with your temporary housing needs.

What type of help is available for HUD-assisted renters?

If you received housing assistance from HUD and your home became unlivable because of the disaster, you may be eligible for FEMA temporary housing assistance if there is no available HUD housing after the disaster, and until:

  • you relocate back to public housing;
  • you relocate back to private housing that accepts HUD assistance; or
  • you sign a lease with a private property owner using HUD assistance.

Additionally, financial assistance for pre-disaster, HUD-assisted renters may cover reimbursement for short-term lodging expenses, funds to replace or repair necessary personal property, a vehicle; uninsured funeral, medical, dental, childcare, moving and storage expenses. Uninsured medical and dental expenses may include lost or damaged medical equipment or disaster-caused injuries.

What if I already applied with FEMA and was later evicted?

If you have already applied for FEMA assistance but were later evicted due to damage to other parts of your home, you should call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or visit a local FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), if available. You can contact FEMA even if you were previously not approved for FEMA assistance and FEMA may still be able to help. Check the FEMA App or visit the FEMA DRC Locator to find the locations and hours of operation of the temporary disaster recovery centers. You will need to provide FEMA with documentation demonstrating your eviction was due to the disaster.

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