Updates to FEMA Programs for People with Disabilities

FEMA and the State of Louisiana are providing disaster assistance to people with disabilities and access and functional needs. Assistance is also available for those who communicate in languages other than English.

Some individuals with or without a disability may have temporary or long-term conditions where they also need a little extra help but might not think to ask for it. FEMA offers extra help to people such as older adults, and people who have difficulty with English.

Earlier this year, FEMA announced updates to disaster assistance. These changes provide disaster support by increasing accessibility and eligibility for affected people, families and communities.

Serious Needs Assistance (SNA)

SNA covers important items like water, food, first aid, breastfeeding supplies, infant formula, diapers, personal hygiene items, fuel for transportation or other emergency supplies for eligible households. It is available in all disasters declared for Individual Assistance, including Hurricane Francine, and is available to eligible residents who apply within the first 30 days after the disaster was declared, which was Sept. 16, 2024.

To qualify for SNA, you must be displaced, need shelter or have other emergency costs due to the disaster on your application. SNA also requires an inspection to confirm eligibility before funds are provided to applicants.

People with Disabilities: This will help those who face greater health risks when access to disability-related supplies is delayed.

Displacement Assistance (DA)

Eligible Louisiana residents with immediate housing needs who cannot return to their homes may receive up-front funds to assist with housing. Funds could help pay for expenses while an individual looks for a rental option.

DA requires an inspection to confirm eligibility before funds are provided to applicants.

People with Disabilities: This immediate short-term funding can also help pay for accessible accommodations, like Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) housing.

Loan Application Requirement

Louisiana residents do not need to apply for a U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loan before being considered for some types of FEMA Other Needs Assistance.

People with Disabilities: Louisiana residents now receive faster payment for necessary repairs and items, which are important to those with disabilities. They may get faster payments to repair or order a replacement vehicle with assistive equipment.

Help for Under-Insured Louisianians

Residents who get an insurance payment for home damage or personal property losses may be eligible to receive help from FEMA. Financial assistance may now be available up to the federal Housing Assistance maximum and Other Needs Assistance maximum to cover disaster repair costs not reimbursed by insurance.

People with Disabilities: This reform will provide for people with disabilities coverage that includes grab bars, ramps, and other home modifications. FEMA may provide assistance to underinsured residents to help pay for disaster-related costs that insurance doesn't cover.

Assistance for Self-Employed Louisianians

FEMA is simplifying the process for self-employed individuals. Previously, these residents had to secure Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance to help replace disaster-damaged tools and equipment required for their profession.

People with Disabilities: Louisiana residents who are self-employed or own their own business may be eligible to use FEMA assistance to help replace damaged items related to their work.

Habitability Criteria

FEMA simplified its definition of "habitability" to include repairs to homes with previous damage that were made worse by the disaster.

People with Disabilities: This will help applicants with medical or health-related needs be able to repair their home even if it was in a bad condition before the disaster.

Accessibility Improvements

Louisiana residents with disabilities may use FEMA funding to make some accessibility improvements to homes damaged by a federally declared disaster.

People with Disabilities: People with disabilities can make their home more accessible than it was pre-disaster with specific items, such as wheelchair ramps, grab bars, and paved pathways, and it will not count against the federal Housing Assistance maximum.

Temporary Housing Assistance Applications

FEMA is lowering verification requirements for applicants who need to extend their stay in a temporary housing solution.

People with Disabilities: This lessens the documentation needed for people with disabilities who need more help paying for a place to stay.

Process for Appeals

Those who appeal FEMA's eligibility decisions will no longer need to provide a signed, written appeal letter along with supporting documentation.

People with Disabilities: This allows residents who have difficulty communicating to submit documents to appeal without a written explanation. Louisiana residents can also choose to send in FEMA's new appeal form or a signed, written appeal letter if they want to provide more information.

Streamlined DisasterAssistance.gov Website

Applying for disaster assistance is now faster with the updated DisasterAssistance.gov website. The online application is easier to use.

People with Disabilities: People with disabilities can more easily apply with a simpler and more visual site.

For those without access to the internet, you can still apply by calling 800-621-3362, or by using the FEMA mobile app. Calls are accepted from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. CT. Help is available in most languages.If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.

For the latest information visit fema.gov/disaster/4817. Follow FEMA Region 6 at X.com/FEMARegion6 or on Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.

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