August 22, 2016 - Louisiana Floods
In support of the ongoing Federal, state, and local efforts to carry out response and recovery activities in the areas affected by the severe storms and flooding in the State of Louisiana, the Department of Homeland Security’s (“Department”) law enforcement components stand ready to help anyone in need of assistance. As the Department has said during other disasters, given the situation, our priorities are to promote life-saving and life-sustaining activities, safe evacuation and sheltering, speedy recovery, and maintenance of the public order. Consistent with their enforcement authorities, the Department’s immigration enforcement agencies (Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) are not conducting enforcement operations in connection with evacuation, sheltering and return, and disaster response activities in the impacted parishes.
FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program is available to disaster-stricken U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals and qualified aliens in counties with a federal disaster declaration. Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include the provision of temporary housing or money for rental assistance, and money for essential home repairs for owners, personal property loss and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.
While undocumented immigrants are not eligible for FEMA cash, housing assistance or Disaster Unemployment Assistance, households with varying citizenship status, only one member needs to be a U.S. citizen, noncitizen national or qualified alien to be eligible to qualify that household for FEMA aid.
An undocumented parent or guardian may apply for monetary or housing assistance on behalf of a minor child who is a U.S. citizen, noncitizen national or Qualified Alien. Although the adult will be expected to sign a Declaration and Release (FEMA Form 009-0-3) in the child’s name, no information will be gathered on the person signing for the child.
All individuals, regardless of citizenship status, affected by a major disaster may be eligible for other non-monetary, in-kind emergency disaster relief programs. These include search and rescue, medical care, shelter, food and water as well as Disaster Legal Services, Disaster Case Management and Crisis Counseling.
People who don’t qualify for monetary or housing assistance may still call the FEMA registration line for referrals to voluntary agencies.
Residents and business owners who sustained disaster-related losses can apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY). If you use 711 relay or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362 directly. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Central Time) seven days a week until further notice.
Download the FEMA App to locate and get directions to open shelters across the state, apply for FEMA assistance, and receive weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations anywhere in the United States.
*Translations available in Spanish, French, Chinese and Vietnamese available here.