St. Charles Parish Lists Disaster Assistance Available

PRESS RELEASE

St. Charles Parish Lists Disaster Assistance Available
ST. CHARLES (September 9, 2008) - State, federal and local agencies are gearing up to offer disaster assistance services through offices in St. Charles Parish. The following is an outline of programs available to St. Charles Parish residents who qualify:

FEMA BLUE ROOF PROGRAM. Residents are now able to sign up for the FEMA Blue Roof program daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Luling VFW Hall, 140 Angus Drive in Luling.

The program is open to those who meet these criteria and bring the following proper documentation and information:

Have a photo ID such as driver's license or proof of residency at the location.
Know the kind of roof you have. Structures with flat roofs and tile roofs consisting of clay, slate or asbestos (transite) do not qualify. Mobile homes and roofs consisting of metal will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
The roof must have less than 50 percent structural damage to be eligible for the program.
The structure must be assessed as habitable once the blue roof is installed.
All debris must be removed from the roof for it to qualify.
The applicant has to sign a right-of-entry form.

Please be advised that tarps will NOT be available at this location. This is strictly to sign up for the Blue Roof Program. FEMA will install the tarp. For more information on the Blue Roof Program, visit http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=45678 or call (888) 766-3258.

UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE. Unemployment benefits are available for St. Charles Parish residents whose jobs have been lost or interrupted because of Hurricane Gustav. Those eligible must have been employed within the last 18 months, including during the storm. This also applies to lost wages due to extended evacuation.

Applications are being taken at the Louisiana Workforce Commission Office (formerly WIA), located at 737 Paul Maillard Road, Suite 2 in Luling. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Walk-ins are preferred.
To receive benefits, individuals must provide their social security number, proof of wages lost and proof of employment, including the name and address of the last employer. Self-employed individuals must provide their business and financial records, including federal income tax returns for 2007. Benefits are available to individuals for weeks of unemployment beginning Sept. 7, 2008 through March 7, 2009 as long as the claimant’s unemployment continues to be a result of Hurricane Gustav. The deadline to file is Oct 6.
For more information, visit http://emergency.louisiana.gov/Releases/090508DisasterUnemployment.html or call 1-866-783-5567.

FEMA APPLICATIONS. Residents and business owners may apply for FEMA assistance in person by visiting the St. Charles Parish Department of Community Services located in the Allen Arterbury Building, 14564 River Road in New Sarpy. Regular office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Assistance available includes reimbursement for hotel stays for those who cannot return to their homes because of damage or inaccessibility; reimbursement for generator purchases if needed to power medical equipment; and grants to help cover medical and other disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance.
FEMA officials urge all homeowners and business owners to apply even if they are insured in case they are eligible for assistance.

Residents may also apply online at www.fema.gov or by calling (800) 621-FEMA.

SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ASSISTANCE. The St. Charles Parish Department of Economic Development is assessing physical and economic losses to businesses and nonprofit organizations in the parish resulting from Hurricane Gustav.

Please e-mail this information to Corey Faucheux, St. Charles Parish Economic Development Director, at cfaucheux@stcharlesgov.net.

Faucheux also urges all businesses experiencing some loss due to the storm to visit the SBA Web site to begin the application process. The address is http://www.sba.gov/hurricanes/index.html.

SBA loans, including physical disaster loans and economic injury loans, are available for those needing financial assistance to rebuild or repair facilities or provide temporary working capital until normal operations resume.

For more information, visit www.sba.gov or call (800) 621-FEMA.

DISASTER FOOD STAMP PROGRAM. St. Charles Parish residents will be able to apply for the Louisiana Disaster Food Stamp program beginning Thursday, Sept. 11 at the Office of Family Services, 14401 Hwy. 90 in Boutte. Applications will be taken at this location from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for seven consecutive days.
Eligibility requirements, a list of documents needed and applications are available at the Louisiana Department of Social Services Web site, http://www.dss.state.la.us/departments/dss/Disaster_Food_Stamp_Program_.html.
Applicants should expect long lines. They will be interviewed by an agency representative to determine eligibility. If found eligible they will be provided an EBT card, and benefits will be loaded on the card within 72 hours. For more information, call 1-888-LA-HELP-U.

RED CROSS SHELTER. The Red Cross has set up a shelter at the Landry School Gym, 108 Tiger Circle in Hahnville, for those whose homes are currently uninhabitable due to power outages or damage.
For more information, call (866) GET-INFO.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION. The St. Charles Parish Department of Community Services is organizing a food distribution via its New Sarpy office with the help of United Way funding. Workers today delivered ice and food to residents in the hardest-hit areas of the parish and those areas still without power, including Bayou Gauche, Des Allemands, St. Rose, New Sarpy and Killona. Residents in need of this assistance may call (985) 764-7944 to sign up. There are limited quantities available, and distribution will be on a first-come-first-served basis.

The mission of St. Charles Parish government is to provide high quality, efficient services to sustain and enhance the quality of life for all residents of St. Charles Parish.

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