Louisiana State and Local Level Assistance Referral agencies for the 2020 disaster recovery experience.
We have hundreds of local services and this is a short contact list registered with the federal emergency management agency FEMA.
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By Murray Wennerlund published 9-13-2020 updated 1-15-2022

 

Access and Functional Needs and Disabilities

  • Governor's Office of Disability Affairs.
    • Resolution of state disabilities issues and provide education, communication, and networking services concerning disability issues and needs for all Louisiana citizens.
    • 225-219-7550 and 844-860-1413
  • Louisiana Department of Health: Developmental Disabilities
    • Information on state and public resources for citizens with developmental disabilities. Services such as Early Steps, Flexible Family Funds, Freedom of Choice Survivors, Home and Community-Based Services, Individual and Family Support, "My Place Louisiana" Resource Centers, Support Coordination, and Tiered Waiver System. Online Services Directory available to locate local offices.
    • 225-342-0095 and 866-783-5553
  • Louisiana Commission for the Deaf
    • Accessibility services for persons whom are deaf, deaf-blind, or have hearing loss or speech impairment to gain equal access to any public or private service. Services include counseling, training, communications devices, and interpreter services. Online director for LCD Regional Service Centers.
    • Louisiana Relay Service: TDD: 800-846-5277 VOICE:800-947-5277

Aging Services

  • Louisiana Office of Aging & Adult Services
    • This service links those who need assistance with state and local area agencies on aging and community-based organization. Online directory of Aging and Adult Services Regional Offices, Medicaid Provider Locator Tool, and online "Apply for Services" form.
    • 866-758-5035
  • Louisiana Department of Health: For Long-Term Care
    • Medicaid administers several programs that provide various specialized health care coverage services for elderly residents or people with developmental disabilities who need long-term care.
    • Louisiana Medicaid Customer Service Hotline: 888-342-6207

Agricultural Aid

  • Louisiana Farm Service Agency
    • USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides emergency loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other natural disasters, or quarantine. Online locator for county offices.
    • 318-473-7721
  • Louisiana USDA Rural Development
    • USDA Rural Development provides low interest mortgages, guaranteed mortgages, 1% interest mortgages for seniors, loans for repairs and mortgage payment assistance for families living in rural areas.
    • Single Family Housing: 318-473-7630 General: 318-473-7920 866-481-9571

Animals/Pets

Consumer Services

Contractors

Crisis Counseling

  • United Way 211: Via Link
    • VIA LINK is the agency in Southeast Louisiana which provides this service. Our contact center counselors are available 24 hours a day to provide crisis counseling and information and referrals to programs which can help with needs such as food, shelter, medical care, financial assistance, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, senior services, childcare and more.
  • Emergency: 911 , 211 or 800-749-2673 Online Chat available Text available.

Disaster Specific Information

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

  • Louisiana Department of Labor: Workforce Commission
    • When Disaster Unemployment Assistance is activated, the agency will provide disaster information. This assistance provides weekly benefit payments to those out of work due to the disaster, including self-employed persons, farm and ranch owners, and others not covered under regular unemployment insurance program.
    • 866-783-5567

Environment

Essential Needs

  • Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services: Family Support
    • Assistance in filing an application for food stamps, Medicaid, and state financial assistance.
    • 888-524-3578
  • Louisiana Community and Preventive Health: Women&rsquos, Infants & Children Program (WIC)
    • Nutrition evaluation and monthly vouchers to receive free supplemental, highly nutritious foods such as cereal, cheese, milk, eggs, peanut butter and dried beans.
    • 504-568-8202
  • Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana
    • Referrals to organizations providing emergency food assistance. Serves Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Bienville, De Soto, Red River, Sabine Parishes.
    • 318-675-2400
  • Food Bank of Central Louisiana
    • Referrals to organizations providing emergency food assistance. Serves Natchitoches, Winn, La Salle, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, Vernon, Rapides, Avoyelles, Allen Parishes.
    • 318-445-2773
  • Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana
    • Referrals to organizations providing emergency food assistance. Serves Union, Lincoln, Morehouse, West Carroll, East Carroll, Ouachita, Richland, Madison, Caldwell, Franklin, Tensas, Jackson parishes.
    • 318-322-3567
  • Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank
    • Referrals to organizations providing emergency food assistance. Serves West Feliciana, East Feliciana, St. Helena, Livingston, Ascension, St. James, Assumption, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parishes.
    • 225-359-9940
  • Second Harvest Food Bank: Feeding South Louisiana
    • Referrals to organizations providing emergency food assistance. Serving Beauregard, Evangeline, St. Landry, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, Acadia, Lafayette, St. Martin, Vermilion, Iberia, Terrebonne, St. Charles, Jefferson, Lafourche, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Orleans, St. Tammany, Cameron, St. Mary, St. John the Baptist, Tangipahoa, Washington Parishes.
    • 504-734-1322
  • Louisiana United Way 211 -Information & Referrals Helpline
    • Referrals to organizations providing emergency food, clothing, shelter, crisis counseling, rental, and utility assistance. Online locator: "Find your LA 2-1-1 Provider Today"
    • 211

Family & Protective Services

Financial Assistance

Fraud

  • Louisiana Attorney General: Public Protection
    • Accepts complaints from consumers about unfair practices and offers a voluntary mediation process to consumers and businesses to improve communication between the parties and assist in resolving disputes. Elder Fraud Prevention, Landlord/Tenant laws, Service Members and Veterans, contractors, charities, Fair Housing and Disaster Fraud Prevention.
    • 225-326-6438 , 877-297-0995

Health Care Service

  • Louisiana Department of Health:
    • Medicaid Medicaid self service portal, apply for health coverage, renew, and report changes. Online directory of regional Medicaid offices.
    • 888-342-6207 TTY: 800-220-5404 Live Chat available
  • Louisiana Department of Health:
    • LA CHIP ProgramThe Louisiana Children&rsquos Health Insurance Program (LaCHIP) provides health coverage to uninsured children up to age 19. It is a no-cost health program that pays for hospital care, doctor visits, prescription drugs, shots and more.
    • 877-252-2447 TTY: 800-220-5404 Live chat available

Housing

  • SocialServe.com -Housing Resource Helpline
    • Socialserve.com is a non-profit organization that assist tenants and agencies in finding affordable housing for callers free of charge. Using a toll-free number, callers work with trained, bilingual call center specialists to find available housing.
    • 877-428-8844
  • Louisiana HUD -Public & Indian Housing Resource Center
    • Information about home ownership, rental help, avoid foreclosure, talk to a housing counselor, online HUD Resource Locator, and online local office directory.
    • FHA Resource Center: 800-225-5342 Public & Indian Housing Information: 800-955-2232
  • Louisiana USDA Rural Development -Single Family Home Division
    • USDA Rural Development provides low interest mortgages, guaranteed mortgages, 1% interest mortgages for seniors, loans for repairs and mortgage payment assistance for families living in rural areas.
    • 318-473-7630

Insurance

  • Louisiana Department of Insurance
    • General Consumer information, insurance, complaints, and consumer updates. Online services available.
    • 225-342-5900 , 800-259-5300 , 800-259-5301 Online complaint form

Legal Services

  • Louisiana State Bar Association
    • Public Resources, Information and referrals to attorneys providing legal services to individuals affected by a disaster, lawyer complaints, and legal information.
    • 504-566-1600 , 800-421-5722
  • Arcadian Legal Services
    • Information and referrals to attorneys providing free and reduced fee legal services to individuals affected by a disaster. Online screening.
    • 800-256-1175

Roadside Assistance

Tax Preparation

Veterans Services

  • Louisiana Department of Veteran Affairs
    • Information regarding veteran benefits including pensions, medical care, home loans, burial, and life insurance. Online office locator available.
    • 225-219-5000 Online local office locator

Vital Statistics

Resource: Updated: August 2020

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