Request Disaster Legal Aid

Name(Required)

First Last

Street Address(Required)

Address Line 2 City AlabamaAlaskaAmerican SamoaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaGuamHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNorthern Mariana IslandsOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahU.S. Virgin IslandsVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces EuropeArmed Forces Pacific State ZIP Code

Email(Required)

Phone(Required)

Are you a USA Citizen?(Required)

YesNo

Parish Located(Required)

AcadiaAllenAvoyellesBeauregardBienvilleBossierCaddoCalcasieuCaldwellClairborneCameronCatahoulaConcordiaDe SotoEast CarrollEvangelineFranklinGrantIberiaJacksonJefferson DavisLafayetteLa SalleLincolnMadisonMorehouseNatchitochesOuachitaRapidesRed RiverRichlandSabineSt. LandrySt. MartinSt. MaryTensasUnionVermilionVernonWebsterWest CarrollWinn

Disaster(Required)

LauraDeltaIda2021 Winter Storms, flooding, and tornadosOther

Primary Issue(Required)

Contractor FraudFEMALandlord/Tenant IssuesClearing Property TitleSuccession PlanningInsurance ClaimsLost DocumentsOther

Disaster Statements(Required)

I have a FEMA Number.

I had to evacuate.

I had property damage.

I suffered personal injury.

I incurred financial loss.

I suffered loss of employment.

Another person in your household suffered personal injury.

Another person in your household suffered loss of life.

Disclaimer(Required)

I understand that this form questionnaire is to initially check to see if you have disaster related legal issue(s) that we can assist you with. We will need to follow up with you to see if you are eligible to receive legal assistance and to complete the full application for eligibility at that time. Eligibility is based on federal poverty guidelines, type of case, and on your citizenship/acceptable status in USA.

Important Message from Acadiana Legal Service Corporation

We remain committed to providing high-quality legal aid to those affected by disasters. We are also concerned about the health and safety of our clients, staff and communities we serve.  Accordingly, we have temporarily modified how we deliver services to prevent the spread of COVID-19 where possible.

• All office lobbies are open. Masks are required for both staff and visitors.
• The office phone lines are open and we are taking calls, or you can also visit our website at www.la-law.org/get-help/ for resources with legal problems.

We thank you for your cooperation.

Office Phones

• Alexandria Office – 318.443.7281 or toll free: 800-256-4343
• Franklin Office –  337.346.5702 or toll free: 844.577.6456
• Lake Charles Office – 337.439.0377 or toll free: 877-256-0639
• Lafayette Office – 337.237.4320 or toll free: 800-256-1175
• Monroe Office – 318.699.0889 or toll free: 800-259-6591
• Natchitoches Office – 318.352.7220 or toll free: 800-960-9109
• Shreveport Office – 318.222.7186 or toll free: 800-826-9265

Disaster Preparedness Resources

To get ready for hurricane season, it’s important to know what resources are available to you and where to find them. Benefits.gov is here to help you find emergency and disaster relief in the event of a disaster.

Make sure to read the latest COVID-19 guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and consider how the pandemic may affect your planning.

Hurricane Preparedness and Recovery Resources

Generator Safety

• Portable Generator Safety Tips

Legal Resources for Disaster Recovery

• For free disaster legal tips text “SUBSCRIBE” to 318-405-4185
• Home Repairs After the Storm
• Disaster Survivors Information 
• Legal Needs After a Disaster

• Legal Aid Disaster Resource Center –

  Legal resources and critical information for legal aid professionals, pro bono volunteers, and the disaster survivors assisted.

• ALSC Legal Aid Brochure
• What Renters Need to Know in a Disaster.
• What Renters Need to Know in a Disaster – Flooding
• Disaster Tips and Resources from Louisiana State Bar Association

Disaster Recovery Resources

DisasterAssistance.gov provides even more information on hurricane preparation and recovery. DisasterAssistance.gov has up to date resources for recent disasters. You can apply for aid directly on the website, as well as check the status of your application. As well, to check if you’re eligible for over 1,000 other benefits, use the Benefit Finder questionnaire on Benefits.gov.

Text “shelter plus your zip code” to 43362 to obtain a list of nearby shelter locations.

Emergency Prescription Assistance Program – Works with community pharmacies to process claims for prescription medications, vaccines and medical equipment to survivors after a declared disaster.  For prescription help call 855-793-7470 or visit: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/epap/Pages/epap-status.aspx.

Help After A Disaster Brochure.  FEMA has translated the brochure into 27 languages.  Click here to see more. 

FEMA

Disaster Survivor FEMA Application Checklist

Apply for FEMA.  Those seeking assistance with FEMA denial appeals should contact an ALSC office nearest you to see if you qualify for free legal aid.  Visit www.la-law/get-in-touch for office locations and phone numbers.

Repairing and Rebuilding After a Disaster – FEMA

FEMA application and appeal process.

When you apply for assistance, have the following information readily available:

• A current phone number where you can be contacted
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
• Your Social Security number, if available
• A general list of damage and losses
• If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.
• As soon as it is safe to do so, start cleaning up. Take photos to document damage and begin cleanup and repairs to prevent further damage. Remember to keep receipts from all purchases related to the cleanup and repair.
• Helpful Information When Appealing a Decision from FEMA
• Update to FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide
• FEMA’s Sheltering and Housing Assistance Program.
• Louisiana Disaster Assistance Applicants: Understand FEMA Determination Letters, How to Appeal Them.  Click here to find out more.
• If you have received a letter from FEMA saying that you are ineligible for disaster relief or that your application is incomplete, you have the right to appeal the decision within 60 days of receiving mailed notification. An appeal is a written request to review your file again with additional information you provide that may affect the decision. Click here to learn more about the appeal process.
• Flood Insurance Claims, What to Expect During Process. 
• Additional FEMA Resources.
  • Help After a Disaster (English Version)
  • Help After a Disaster (Spanish Version)
  • Download the FEMA app to register on your smartphone or tablet

Reasons Why You May Have Been Found Ineligible for FEMA Assistance

National Flood Insurance Program:

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program assists policyholders who experienced losses due to flooding from hurricanes.  Contact your insurance agent to report your loss.  If you can’t remember the name or number of the insurance company, call NFIP at 877-336-2627.

• It’s important that policyholders renew, so they are able to make a claim on any losses they face.
  o If your NFIP policy recently expired, ask your agent if you are still within a renewal grace period. You may be able to pay in full to renew and be covered for a loss during that time.

SBA Disaster Loan Assistance:

To apply for disaster loan assistance through the SBA, call 800-659-2955, TTY 800-877-8339, email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or visit www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance for more information.

State Resources:

• Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available for businesses and residents in disaster designated parishes.  Apply at Louisianaworks.net.  
• The State of Louisiana has created a site where residents can find important updates, information and links to valuable resources. Click here to view the site.
• Child Care Assistance for Disaster Survivors
• Call the Office of Public Health at 337-262-5311 for:
  • Emergency WIC – Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Food Program
  • Emergency Immunizations – Tetanus Booster and Hepatitis A&B
  • COVID-19 Testing
  • Family Planning Services
• Track Debris Clean-up at 511LA.ORG
• Resources available to Louisiana residents during a disaster.
• Avoiding Contractor Fraud