Learn what storm aid is available

Staff report
Local officials are encouraging residents who sustained damage from Hurricane Francine to report their losses to a state website, www.damage.la.gov.
By registering, you can help make sure local people can receive all the government aid for which they’re eligible.
You can find a QR code at our Facebook page that will take you directly to the site.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency can help direct you to a variety of resources and assistance.
Much of the aid is dependent on a federal disaster declaration, which the White House issued Monday for St. Mary, Assumption, Ascension, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist and Terrebonne.
As of Tuesday morning, the FEMA website was not yet recognizing that St. Mary Parish is covered by a disaster declaration. But here are ways to apply:
—Online: Apply at DisasterAssistance.gov
—FEMA app: Download the free app from your phone’s app store
—By phone: Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 1-800-462-7585)
—In person: Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) 
Assistance can include:
—Temporary housing, such as rental assistance or reimbursement for hotel costs
—Money to help repair or replace a primary residence
—Money to help with hazard mitigation measures 
If you have insurance, you should contact your insurance company to file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA can only provide money after you receive your insurance settlement. 
To be eligible for FEMA assistance, you’ll need to provide a valid Social Security number to verify your identity. 
You must live in a presidentially declared disaster area to receive financial assistance from FEMA. Not everyone qualifies for all the assistance programs in an area. FEMA offers an anonymous tool to help you check your eligibility.
Information you will need to apply for disaster assistance:
—Your Social Security number 
—Insurance information 
—A description of the damage caused 
—Your annual household income 
—Contact information
—Bank account information for direct deposit
You can check the status of your application if you provided your email address and contact information when you applied for assistance. There are three ways to check your application: 
—Check your application status at DisasterAssistance.gov if you created an account. 
—Look for the “Check Status” button. Check the status by calling 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 1-800-462-7585). 
—Check the status of your application in person at a DRC. Find a DRC near you.
Legal help is available:
Disaster Legal Services provides free legal help to individuals who earn a low income and live in a federally declared disaster area. Legal advice is limited to cases that will not produce a fee. Cases that may generate a fee are turned over to a local lawyer referral service. 
DLS may be able to help you with: 
—Insurance claims for doctor and hospital bills, loss of property, or loss of life 
—New wills, powers of attorney, and other legal documents lost in the disaster 
—Home repair contracts and contractors 
—Problems with landlords