Louisiana (DR-4611) Frequently Asked Questions and Rumor Control

Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) is a FEMA program that allows for temporary, short-term accommodations for eligible applicants when other housing options are not available.

Yes. TSA-eligible applicants must find and book their own hotel rooms. The list of participating hotels will be posted on DisasterAssistance.gov, under the link Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program or you can get it by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. For TTY, call 800-462-7585. For 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

Applicants with disabilities or who have access and functional needs should check with hotels to ensure appropriate accommodations are available before confirming a reservation. Pet owners must check to see if pets are accepted. Applicants must show photo identification and adhere to any hotel check-in requirements.

There are several ways to apply for disaster assistance: 

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
• Use the FEMA mobile app. 
• Call FEMA at 800-621-3362 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.
• Temporary FEMA disaster recovery centers have opened in several hurricane-effected parishes. Check the FEMA App or visit the FEMA DRC Locator to find the locations and hours of operation. 

 If lodging properties are interested in participating in FEMA’s TSA program for disaster survivors, they may email femahousing@clclodging.com or call 866-545-9865 to speak with representatives from Corporate Lodging Consultants, who manage the enrollment of lodging providers. Additional information about emergency lodging can be found at Emergency Lodging Assistance Program.

Due to high usage of hotels/motels in the affected area, it may be difficult to locate available participating lodging. A survivor may have to travel a significant distance to locate an available room which may include searching out of state.

For the Hurricane Ida disaster declaration in Louisiana, TSA approved hotels are limited to Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

Survivors are required to sign a Terms and Conditions document when you check-in to a TSA hotel. By signing the Terms and Conditions, they agree to abide by TSA program guidelines to remain eligible.

 No. FEMA only pays for the room and any applicable taxes and pet fees. The eligible applicant is responsible for all other incidental costs (meals, transportation, etc.)

TSA eligibility is not retroactive. However, survivors can provide their receipts and submit them to FEMA. They may be eligible for lodging expense reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses that are not covered by additional living expenses or other housing assistance through insurance.

Fact:

This is a SCAM. Do not trust text messages or emails that ask you for personal information and always verify the source of the information.

FEMA will never ask for your personal information over text message or email. To ensure you are sharing information securely with FEMA, visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call us at 1-800-621-3362. Other official methods of contacting us can be found on DisasterAssistance.gov as well.

Learn how to help report disaster fraud.

Fact:

Although various shelter requirements may vary, normally showing proof of your vaccination is not normally required. However, the Center for Disease Control and Presentation urges precautions be taken regardless of anyone’s vaccination status as transmission risk in these settings is higher and likely increases with the number of unvaccinated people present. Fully vaccinated or unvaccinated shelter residents should always follow all rules which can include wearing masks correctly, maintaining physical distance, covering your face during coughs or sneezes and washing your hands frequently.