If you suffered losses in Hurricane Ida, you may wonder what assistance you can get. You have many options when pursuing compensation for your covered losses. For instance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers programs for Louisianans in the aftermath of hurricanes.
Louisiana’s Legal Aid Disaster Resource Center also provides help to those who have suffered losses in hurricanes. You also have the opportunity to partner with a hurricane damage lawyer.
FEMA Has a Wealth of Resources for Hurricane Ida Claimants
FEMA offers many programs for those who have suffered losses due to hurricanes, including:
- The Clean and Sanitize Program – FEMA will evaluate your home to determine whether you may be eligible for a $300 one-time award to address home damage and prevent further losses.
- Financial housing assistance – FEMA can provide funds to cover specific types of financial assistance, including home repair costs, lodging expenses, rental assistance, and replacement assistance.
- FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program – This program helps property owners purchase flood insurance to protect against flood losses. It also requires state governments to enforce floodplain management ordinances which can help to reduce damage caused by floods, as was seen with Hurricane Ida.
- Other needs assistance – FEMA may provide additional funding for Hurricane Ida-related expenses, including the cost of personal items, funeral expenses, medical expenses, moving and storage expenses, transportation costs, childcare expenses, and other various disaster-related expenses.
Theseprograms do not need to be applied for separately. When you apply for any one of the initial programs, eligibility for the remaining programs will also be reviewed.
You Have Other Options in Addition to FEMA
In addition to FEMA, other programs that offer assistance following Hurricane Ida include:
- The Red Cross – The Red Cross notes that if you live in a state affected by Hurricane Ida (such as Louisiana), you could get up to $850. You are eligible if your home was destroyed or sustained major damage.
- U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans – Hurricane Ida survivors who are homeowners, renters, or business owners qualify. Certain non-profit agencies qualify as well.
- The State of Louisiana – the state offers a variety of programs for those who suffered losses in hurricanes, including clean-up services and financial assistance.
These programs need to be applied for separately if you are interested in the assistance they offer. These are also only a few of the programs that could help you rebuild your life following the destruction of Hurricane Ida.
Other Legal Options Following Damage Caused By Hurricane Ida
Depending on the details of your case, there are several ways in which you could recover the compensation you need to cover your losses. Some of your options include:
Filing a Homeowners Insurance Claim
If you have homeowners insurance, and your home suffered harm in Hurricane Ida, you could file a claim to recover compensation. Per the Louisiana Department of Insurance, before your coverage kicks in, you’ll likely have to pay a deductible. It will likely be between two to five percent of your home’s insured value.
Your homeowners insurance benefits depend on your policy. Before filing a claim, review your policy’s wording. You may have coverage for perils you didn’t even know about.
Filing a Civil Lawsuit
You might have done everything possible to secure your home before Hurricane Ida. However, a contractor might have performed inadequate repairs on your house, compromising its integrity. In this case, you could sue the contractor for the cost of repairs to your home. When you partner with a lawyer, they can explore whether this is an option for you.
What Damages Could You Recover in Your Hurricane Ida Claim?
The types of damages you can recover after damage caused by Hurricane Ida can vary widely depending on your case. If you are filing a claim with your homeowners insurance provider, your specific policy will describe covered losses.
In that instance, you could recover compensation for:
- Temporary accommodations
- The cost of any destroyed items, such as furniture and other possessions
- The repairs to your home or property
- The cost of cleaning up debris
- Mold removal (if it was caused by the hurricane)
- Any infestations related to the hurricane
If you file a civil claim or lawsuit against another party, you could seek other losses, including property damage expenses, mental anguish, and lost income. It helps to partner with a property damage claims lawyer. They can assess your options and take action accordingly.
Reach Out to a Hurricane Ida Lawyer for Help
The aftermath of Hurricane Ida may still be impacting your life. Get the legal support and advice you want when you contact a Hurricane Ida lawyer at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine.
Learn about what assistance you can get for Hurricane Ida when you connect with our team. To learn more during a free case review, dial 1-800-747-3733.
We Can Help.
