By Misty Castile | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Louisiana residents recovering from Tropical Storm Arthur have an additional month to apply for federal disaster assistance as one of the state’s recovery centers prepares to close.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency extended the application deadline to Oct. 1 for homeowners and renters in Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne parishes. The extension, granted at the state’s request, gives residents an additional 30 days to apply for assistance related to damage from Arthur.
The additional time comes as the Disaster Recovery Center in Pointe Coupee Parish prepares to permanently close at 5 p.m. Thursday. The center has provided in-person assistance for residents applying for federal aid and seeking information about their cases.
A recovery center remains open at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library in Houma. Residents do not have to visit a recovery center to apply for FEMA assistance.
Arthur made landfall in Texas before pushing severe weather into Louisiana, spawning at least 11 confirmed tornadoes and leaving damaged homes, downed trees, flooding and injured residents from Jefferson Parish to St. Tammany Parish.
Residents whose homes were damaged or made uninhabitable may also qualify for FEMA rental assistance. The program is available to eligible homeowners, renters and students displaced by the storm and can be used for temporary housing while repairs are made or permanent housing is secured.
Initial rental assistance generally covers one or two months and can be used for rent, security deposits and essential utilities such as electricity, gas and water. It cannot be used for cable, internet, home repairs, transportation, fuel or replacement of damaged property.
Residents who continue to need temporary housing after receiving initial assistance may qualify for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance. FEMA can provide the additional assistance in three-month periods, but applicants must demonstrate a continuing storm-related housing need and show that previous rental assistance was used as intended.
Residents with insurance may still qualify for FEMA housing assistance. Those with temporary housing coverage through an insurance policy may need to provide documentation showing those benefits were exhausted or denied before FEMA determines eligibility.
The federal assistance follows earlier state recovery measures after Arthur. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple issued Emergency Rule 50 after the storm, temporarily suspending certain insurance cancellations, nonrenewals and other deadlines for policyholders in Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne parishes.
Those seven parishes were included in Gov. Jeff Landry’s state emergency declaration. Six are covered by the current FEMA assistance extension; Rapides Parish is not included.