To ensure that survivors with disabilities or other access and function needs are identified and receive the assistance that they need, Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council has compiled some resources for the disability community below from FEMA and other disaster preparedness agencies.
Contact information
Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEPs)
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- All Parishes – https://gohsep.la.gov/ABOUT/PARISHPA
- For Orleans – (504) 658-8700 http://www.nola.gov/ready/
RESOURCES
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- Survivors in parishes approved for individual assistance can apply for disaster assistance. The fastest way to apply is through DisasterAssistance.gov. They can also apply by calling 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585) or through the FEMA mobile app.
- Applying for Assistance: Important Information for People with Disabilities (ASL)
FEMA Accessible: Applying for Assistance: Important Information for People with Disabilities
Please pay special attention to question number 24 about people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs. Answer “yes” to this question if you have a disability, accessibility need, or another health or medical condition. This is the best way to note any additional disability-related losses and/or needs such as medical support assistance, durable medical equipment repairs, or replacement of assistive technology that was lost or damaged as a result of the disaster. Examples include wheelchair, scooter, walker, CPAP machine, hearing aids, eyeglasses, screen reader. This question will also help applicants identify other services for which they may be eligible to receive reimbursement. Remember, FEMA is here to support you before, during, and after disasters.
Stay Alert to Continuing Risks from Tropical Depression Ida
As parts of the south begin their clean up from Ida, the storm continues to track inland and will continue to bring considerable heavy rain and flooding threats from the Tennessee and Ohio valleys into the central and southern Appalachians and mid-Atlantic through Wednesday.
- Survivors in parishes approved for individual assistance can apply for disaster assistance. The fastest way to apply is through DisasterAssistance.gov. They can also apply by calling 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585) or through the FEMA mobile app.
- Applying for Assistance: Important Information for People with Disabilities (ASL)
- Individuals who experienced damage and power loss should use extreme caution during the recovery phase. Areas inland will continue to experience dangerous weather conditions. Please be safe and listen to local emergency management officials. Anyone in the forecast path should rush to complete final preparations.
- FEMA’s priorities are to support life-saving and life-sustaining actions. The agency continues working with federal, state, local, tribal and non-governmental partners to support the needs of areas affected by Ida. The agency positioned staff and supplies such as meals, water, and generators to assist states with impacts from this storm.
- Visit Hurricane Ida | FEMA.gov for information and resources available for residents in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and other areas that may be affected by Ida. The page is available in French, Haitian Creole, Simplified Chinese, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Rumor: FEMA is paying for hotels if you call 800-621-3362
There is a false rumor being shared on social media and text messages saying FEMA is paying for hotels for people who evacuated due to the recent storm. This is false. You must first apply for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
Do your part to the stop the spread of rumors by doing three easy things:
- Find trusted sources of information.
- Share information from trusted sources.
- Discourage others from sharing information from unverified sources.
We will share information about current rumors or scams related to Louisiana Hurricane Ida relief on this page.
ASL Video: Beware of Scam Artists
Stay safe from post-storm hazards
- If you need to evacuate post-storm, be extremely careful driving as roads may be damaged or blocked. If you go to a community or group shelter, remember to follow the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for protecting yourself and family from COVID-19. FEMA is prepared and activated to respond to disasters in states in a COVID-19 environment and is well postured to handle this upcoming storm despite the Delta surge.
- Check local media for a list of shelters, including those who can accommodate pets. If you are staying in a hotel, Please call before you go and ask if pets are permitted.
- If your home has flood water inside or around it, don’t walk or wade in it. The water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw sewage. Never attempt to turn off power or operate circuit breakers while standing in water.
- Be careful when cleaning up. Wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves and sturdy thick-soled shoes. Do not try to remove heavy debris by yourself. Use an appropriate mask if cleaning mold or other debris. People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.
- Avoid downed power or utility lines; they may be live with deadly voltage. Stay far away and report them immediately to your power company.
- Be aware of heat-related illnesses. Areas without power may experience heat advisories, which can lead to illness or a threat to life.
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- Learn to recognize the signs of heat illness.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages such as water or juice. Keep your pets hydrated by providing plenty of fresh water for your pets and provide a shady area.
- Check on family, friends, and neighbors.
- Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
- ASL Video: Coping with Extreme Heat
Emergency Management Disability and Aging Coalition
Are you 60+ or have a disability? Affected by Hurricane IDA and have medical needs?
Call 1-800-270-6185
It is not uncommon for people to be evacuated without assistive devices, medications, charging adapters, and similar vital medical equipment. EMDAC can help you connect with those resources until you get back home.
Behavioral Health Immediate Resources
Trained and compassionate individuals are available to support you during Hurricane Ida, the COVID-19 pandemic, or any emotional crisis. They will provide information and help link you to confidential mental health and substance use services. These resources were gathered by the Louisiana Department of Health.
Office of Behavioral Health: Keep Calm Line (activating 9/3/21)
- 1-866-310-7977 (24/7)
Behavioral Health Recovery: Outreach Line
- 1-833-333-1132 (24/7)
- For healthcare professionals and individuals in recovery
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
- 1-800-273-8255 (vets press 1)
- En Español: 1-888-628-9454
- Deaf/HoH: TTY 1-800-799-4889
- https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
CrisisText Line:
- Text REACHOUT to 741741 (24/7)
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline:
- Call 1-800-985-5990
- Text TALKWITHUS to 66746
Louisiana 211:
- Call 211
- https://www.louisiana211.org
- Free, 24/7 referral and information that connects people to a wide range of health and human services.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:
Local Human Services Districts/Authorities:
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Louisiana:
Checklist for Hurricane Ida Evacuees
- File your FEMA Applications
- File a claim with homeowners/renter’s insurance for damage and/or relocation expenses
- File an application for DSNAP (Disaster Emergency Food Stamps) so you are already in the system when this becomes available:
- Waiver Recipients: Contact your support coordinator and let them know
- Where you are
- What your needs are
- If you plan to leave again
- Need health care, supplies, DME, prescriptions?
- Call the # on the back of your healthy Louisiana card for member services and ask for a case manager to help.
- If out of town do the same – they can arrange for health, dental, scripts out of town as well.
- If on legacy Medicaid, additional contacts will be provided, in the meantime, call the numbers below and we will help.
- Need oxygen?
- Call your local EOC for charging stations in your area;
- If unable to reach charging stations due to lack of transportation and/or lack of gasoline, contact one of the numbers below and notify your support coordinator and healthy Louisiana case manager.
For additional assistance contact:
- Trach Mommas of Louisiana: 225-200-5178
- Special Needs & Parent Support Services of LA, LLC: 504-300-5117
Louisiana Partners Helping Locally
- File a FEMA application: fema.gov/disaster/4611
- File for DSNAP: dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/360
- For emergency information keep up with KarenScallan.com
FAQ: Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Administered by the Louisiana Workforce Commission
What is Disaster Unemployment Assistance?
- The Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program provides assistance to individuals whose employment has been either lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster, as declared by the President of the United States. 25 Louisiana parishes qualify for DUA assistance as a result of Hurricane Ida which occurred August 26, 2021 and continues.
Who is eligible for DUA?
- DUA is available to unemployed workers or self-employed individuals who became unemployed as a direct result of the disaster that are otherwise ineligible to receive state unemployment insurance benefits.If you are already receiving state unemployment insurance benefits due to COVID-19, there is no need for you to apply for DUA and you should continue filing your weekly certifications.If you were already unemployed and did not lose your job as a result of the disaster, please do not apply for DUA. DUA is also available to those individuals who became the breadwinner, or major support provider, due to the death of the head of household and as a direct result of the disaster.
When can I file a claim?
- The deadline to file a DUA claim as a result of Hurricane Ida is October 4, 2021: 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.
How do I file a claim?
- At this time claims can ONLY be filled online at www.laworks.net. Proof of employment at the time of the disaster is required within 21 days of filing the DUA application. Instructions will be provided for submitting this required documentation. Your personal income tax return (Federal Form 1040 and attachments) or other proof of employment (e.g., 1099) and wages you earned in calendar year 2020 is also requested.
How much assistance can I expect to receive?
- Individuals eligible for DUA will be paid weekly benefits in accordance with federal and state regulations. The DUA benefit duration is determined weekly up to 27 weeks. Currently, the maximum weekly assistance amount in Louisiana is $247 and is based on the individual’s gross earnings or net income if self-employed for the most recent tax year. The minimum DUA benefit amount is $93 weekly based on full-time employment.
How long will it take before I receive my benefits?
- DUA benefits will be paid as soon as administratively possible. Generally, benefits are held until such time that sufficient evidence of employment is provided, and it is determined that the unemployment was a direct result of the disaster. Each claim must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Continue to file your weekly continued claims as long as you are unemployed as a direct result of the disaster. Our goal is to ensure a determination is made as quickly as possible.Typically, in Louisiana unemployment claims come with what’s called a “week of waiting.” This means no benefits are paid for the first week that you file for unemployment. When people file these disaster claims and get approved for DUA there will be no “week of waiting.” We want people to get their benefits as soon as possible.
Things to keep in mind when filing a DUA claim
- Regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits supersede DUA – Any person determined eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits, even in the case of a disaster, would not be eligible for DUA.Fraudulent claims will be prosecuted, including jail time – You are required to report all earnings when worked, not when received. Intentional false reporting of the reason for separation or last employer information may also be considered fraudulent.You must report all earnings weekly – If you are paid by your employer during your absence from work or if you return to work, you must report these earnings on your weekly request for payment. Vacation pay must also be reported on your weekly request for payment.