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FEMA extends intake center through Saturday

Thursday, September 24, 2020

FEMA representatives have added an additional day to the schedule for the mobile registration intake center in Ruston.

The center, located in the parking lot of the Historic Fire Station on East Mississippi Avenue, will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

FEMA personnel decided to add Saturday to accommodate people who are unable to take off during the workday but still want to register for possible FEMA individual assistance as a result of damage incurred because of Hurricane Laura.

If a citizen has experienced difficulty registering online, they may go to these sites for assistance. This includes anyone who has attempted to register for reimbursement for generators, chain saws and other eligible equipment.

Meantime, Wednesday’s rain shut down the intake center in Dubach.

“FEMA has COVID-19 protocols that do not allow their personnel to work indoors even though our parish has allowed them to move indoors and follow social distancing and other protective guidelines,” Kip Franklin, Lincoln Parish director of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said Wednesday morning.

The center was to have set up outside of Dubach’s Town Hall. As of midmorning Wednesday, no new time or location has been announced.

FEMA representatives are at Choudrant Town Hall today until 5 p.m., then in Ruston on Friday and Saturday.

Any resident who had damage to their home as a result of Hurricane Laura may visit any of the sites to sign up as the first step in determining whether they may qualify for FEMA’s individual assistance program.

Renters whose home or property was damaged by Hurricane Laura can also apply for federal assistance, said FEMA Media Relations Specialist Hattie Stallworth.

Government grants can help pay for temporary housing if a renter or homeowner is unable to return to a disaster-damaged home. The initial rental grant is for a 60-day period and can be reviewed for further assistance.

The deadline to register for FEMA help is Oct. 27.

Renters as well as homeowners may qualify for grants for essential personal property and other disaster-related expenses as well. These may include repairing or replacing:

• Furniture, ap pliances, clothing, schoolbooks and supplies.

• Occupational tools and other job-related equipment required by an employer as a condition of employment.

• Primary vehicles.

• Medical and dental bills.

In addition to visiting an intake center, residents can call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362, visit dissterassistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app.

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