The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office has shared the following official disaster recovery announcement issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding Rental Assistance for local residents.
FEMA has announced that Rental Assistance is available to eligible Louisiana renters, homeowners, and students who are unable to live in their primary residences due to damage caused by Tropical Storm Arthur from June 17–24. FEMA Rental Assistance is a temporary grant to help pay for temporary housing—such as a house, apartment, recreational vehicle, or other option—while one’s permanent home is being repaired, rebuilt, or while you search for a new place to live.
Eligible parishes include Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany, and Terrebonne.
FEMA emphasizes that grant funds must be spent strictly on approved rental expenses and all receipts must be retained. Covered costs include temporary housing rent, security deposits, and essential utility costs (gas, electric, water). Costs NOT covered include Internet and cable television services , replacement of personal property (such as lost food or clothing) , home repairs, or transportation and fuel costs.
Initial grants are determined on a case-by-case basis and cover one to two months. Continued Temporary Housing Assistance may be granted for three-month periods upon submitting receipts and documentation proving prior funds were used properly. If a person has insurance and the policy includes Additional Living Expenses (ALE) or temporary housing benefits, the person must provide FEMA with that insurance claim settlement, proof of exhaustion, or denial documentation to determine grant eligibility.
The application deadline is Thursday, Oct. 1. All applications and case reviews are managed directly by FEMA. To apply:
* Online (Fastest): Visit DisasterAssistance.gov.
* FEMA Mobile App: Download the official FEMA App on your smartphone.
* FEMA Helpline: Call toll-free at 800-621-3362. Phone lines operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with multilingual support (Press 2 for Spanish). Relay service users (VRS, captioned phone) can provide FEMA with their service number.
* Disaster Recovery Centers: Find an in-person center by entering your ZIP code at FEMA.gov/DRC.
Additional program information can be found by visiting fema.gov/disaster/4927.
This public safety notice is shared as a courtesy to residents by the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office.