08/18/2026
Avoyelles Parish Sheriff's Office
➡️Community Information Share: FEMA Disaster Assistance Notice
Sheriff David L. Dauzat and the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff's Office are sharing the following official disaster recovery announcement issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding Rental Assistance for local residents:
➡️FEMA Announcement: Rental Assistance Available
FEMA has announced that Rental Assistance is available to eligible Louisiana renters, homeowners, and students who are unable to live in their primary residences due to damage caused by Tropical Storm Arthur from June 17–24.
➡️What the Grant Provides: FEMA Rental Assistance is a temporary grant to help pay for temporary housing—such as a house, apartment, recreational vehicle, or other option—while your permanent home is being repaired, rebuilt, or while you search for a new place to live.
➡️Eligible Parishes: Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany, and Terrebonne.
➡️FEMA Guidelines: Covered vs. Non-Covered Expenses
FEMA emphasizes that grant funds must be spent strictly on approved rental expenses and all receipts must be retained.
➡️Covered Costs: Temporary housing rent, security deposits, and essential utility costs (gas, electric, water).
➡️Costs NOT Covered: Internet and cable television services , replacement of personal property (such as lost food or clothing) , home repairs, or transportation and fuel costs.
➡️Assistance Duration & Insurance Documentation
Assistance Duration: Initial grants are determined on a case-by-case basis and cover one to two months. Continued Temporary Housing Assistance may be granted for three-month periods upon submitting receipts and documentation proving prior funds were used properly.
➡️If You Have Insurance: If your policy includes Additional Living Expenses (ALE) or temporary housing benefits, you must provide FEMA with your insurance claim settlement, proof of exhaustion, or denial documentation to determine grant eligibility.
➡️How to Apply Directly with FEMA
Application Deadline: Thursday, October 1
All applications and case reviews are managed directly by FEMA:
➡️Online (Fastest): Visit DisasterAssistance.gov.
➡️FEMA Mobile App: Download the official FEMA App on your smartphone.
➡️FEMA Helpline: Call toll-free at 800-621-3362. Phone lines operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with multilingual support (Press 2 for Spanish). Relay service users (VRS, captioned phone) can provide FEMA with their service number.
➡️Disaster Recovery Centers: Find an in-person center by entering your ZIP code at FEMA.gov/DRC.
➡️Additional Program Information: Visit fema.gov/disaster/4927.
This public safety notice is shared as a courtesy to our residents by the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff's Office.
For non-emergency law enforcement matters, APSO can be reached at 318-253-4000 or by email at [email protected].
