CHURCHES
FEMA Public Assistance grants are open to Houses of Worship located within presidentially-declared disaster areas (Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis and Vernon Parishes) and typically reimburse 75 percent of eligible costs for Permanent Work—repair, replacement or restoration of certain disaster-damaged facilities.
Houses of Worship must have in excess of $3,300 of damages related to Hurricane Laura; produce an IRS nonprofit letter; and, must have received insufficient funding or no funding after applying for a Small Business Administration disaster loan, www.sba.gov/disaster.
Time is of the essence (deadline: 9/27/2020), and Houses of Worship do not have to wait for an SBA decision to apply to FEMA, www. LousianaPA.com.
Houses of Worship may apply directly to FEMA for Emergency Work—debris removal and emergency protective measures (also 75 percent of eligible costs)—and an expanded area is eligible (Acadia, Grant, Natchitoches, Vermilion, Winn are eligible along with the six parishes above).
Call or write state FEMA contact Joe Costello, (225) 339-3724 or joseph.costello@la.gov, for assistance or information.
INDIVIDUALS
Individuals in Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Caddo, Calcasieu, Cameron, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, La Salle, Lincoln, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Sabine, St. Landry, Union, Vermilion, Vernon, and Winn Parishes may apply for Housing Assistance related to needs resulting from Hurricane Laura:
— temporary rent or short-term lodging, temporary housing units, uninsured home repairs; and, replacement or complete rebuild of a permanent residence;
— repair or replacement of personal property, medical and dental expenses, funeral costs, child care payments and purchase of miscellaneous items (wet/dry vacuum, chainsaw, or a generator for a medically necessary device); and,
— repair or replacement of damaged vehicles, expenses for moving items into temporary storage as well as other critical needs.
Use disasterassistance.gov/DAC/CaptchaAccept.do to apply, or call FEMA for information or to register for assistance, (800) 621-3362.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Labor offers hurricane survivors unemployment benefits and re-employment assistance. Visit laworks.net, or call (866) 783-5567.
