AP Photo/Ron HeflinFOX 8 News received this news release from the Federal Emergency Management Agency Monday afternoon:
BATON ROUGE, La - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), at the request of the state of Louisiana, has activated its Transitional Sheltering Assistance program, which allows eligible evacuees from Hurricane Isaac whose neighborhoods are not accessible or whose houses have been destroyed to stay in a hotel or motel for a limited time and have the cost of the room and taxes paid directly to the hotel by FEMA.
"Transitional Sheltering Assistance offers survivors temporary accommodations until other housing options can be identified and put in place," said Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Hall. "We are working closely with our state and local partners to develop a long-term housing solution to help Hurricane Isaac survivors until their homes and communities are repaired or rebuilt."
To be eligible for the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program, evacuees must meet the following criteria:
1. The primary residence must be in one of the parishes that has been designated a disaster area;
2. The primary residence is inaccessible or unlivable due to damage or lack of power; and
3. FEMA must be able to verify their identity.
The initial period of assistance is from Sept. 3 to Sept. 16, 2012. Meals, telephone calls and other incidental charges are not covered, and applicants are responsible for any lodging costs above the authorized allowance. The program does not reimburse previously incurred hotel expenses.
The first step for those impacted by Hurricane Isaac is to register for FEMA assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smart phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants without Internet access or smart phone may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services, call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week.
For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.
