Hurricane Francine Information

• Louisiana Supreme Court (09/10/2024 1:00 PM - 09/12/2024)
  Due to Tropical Storm/Hurricane Francine, the Louisiana Supreme Court will close at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 and will remain closed on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 and Thursday, September 12, 2024.  The Court will reopen on Friday, September 13, 2024.  The Clerk’s office will close for filings September 10, 2024 at 1pm and will reopen on Friday, September 13, 2024. All filings due during this period of closure shall be deemed timely filed if filed on or before Friday, September 13, 2024 in accordance with the Order of the Court.  The e-fling system will remain operational. 
• 1st Circuit Court of Appeal (09/11/2024 - 09/12/2024)
• 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal (09/10/2024 2:30 PM - 09/12/2024)
• 4th Circuit Court of Appeal (09/10/2024 1:00 PM - 09/11/2024)
• 5th Circuit Court of Appeal (09/10/2024 - 09/11/2024)
• 10th Judicial District Court (09/10/2024 12:00 PM - 09/11/2024)
• 13th Judicial District Court (09/10/2024 12:00 PM - 09/11/2024)
• 14th Judicial District Court (09/10/2024 12:00 PM - 09/11/2024)
• 15th Judicial District Court (09/10/2024 1:30 PM - 09/12/2024)
• 16th Judicial District Court (09/10/2024 12:00 PM - 09/11/2024)
• 17th Judicial District Court (09/10/2024 12:00 PM - 09/12/2024)
• 18th Judicial District Court (09/11/2024 - 09/12/2024)
• 21st Judicial District Court (09/11/2024)
• 23rd Judicial District Court (09/11/2024)
• 24th Judicial District Court (09/11/2024)
• 27th Judicial District Court (09/11/2024)
• 28th Judicial District Court (09/11/2024)
• 31st Judicial District Court (09/10/2024 12:00 PM - 09/11/2024)
• 32nd Judicial District Court (09/11/2024 - 09/12/2024)
• 33rd Judicial District Court (09/10/2024 12:00 PM - 09/12/2024)
• 34th Judicial District Court (09/10/2024 2:00 PM - 09/11/2024)
• 36th Judicial District Court (09/11/2024)
• 38th Judicial District Court (09/10/2024)
• 40th Judicial District Court (09/11/2024 - 09/12/2024)
• Orleans Civil District Court, First and Second City Court (09/10/2024 12:00 PM - 09/12/2024)
• Orleans Criminal District Court (09/10/2024 - 09/12/2024)
• Orleans Parish Juvenile Court (09/11/2024)
• Municipal and Traffic Court of New Orleans (09/11/2024 - 09/12/2024)
• Jefferson Parish Juvenile Court (09/11/2024)
• 1st Parish Court of Jefferson (09/10/2024 4:30 PM -  09/11/2024)
• 2nd Parish Court of Jefferson (09/10/2024 12:00PM - 09/12/2024)
• Crowley City Court -  Will close at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, and will remain closed on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.
• East Baton Rouge Family Court (09/11/2024 - 09/12/2024)
• East Baton Rouge Juvenile Court (09/11/2024 - 09/12/2024)
• Eunice City Court (09/11/2024)
• Franklin City Court - Will be closed Tuesday September 10, 2024 beginning at noon and will remain closed Wednesday September 11, 2024.
• Houma City Court (09/11/2024 - 09/12/2024)
• Jeanerette City Court (09/10/2024 12:00 PM - 09/11/2024)
• Jennings City Court (09/10/2024 11:00 AM - 09/12/2024)
• Kaplan City Court ( 09/10/2024 11:00 AM - 09/12/2024)
• Lafayette City Court ( 09/10/2024 4:00 PM - 09/11/2024)
• Lake Charles City Court ( 09/10/2024 12:00 PM - 09/11/2024)
• Morgan City Court (09/10/2024 - 09/12/2024)
• New Iberia City Court ( 09/10/2024 12:00 PM - 09/11/2024)
• Oakdale City Court ( 09/10/2024 12:00 PM - 09/12/2024)
• Thibodaux City Court ( 09/10/2024 12:00 PM - 09/12/2024)

• Louisiana Disaster Legal Tip Line: Text "Subscribe" to 318-405-4185
• The Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS) Disaster Legal Services Hotline is 1-844-244-7871. SLLS is a legal assistance organization that provides free legal services to people affected by disasters, including hurricanes. 
• Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP): GOHSEP coordinates and leads efforts to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the impact of disasters and emergencies in Louisiana.
• Emergency.Louisiana.gov: This is the official state website that provides real-time information and resources on emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and updates during disasters and emergencies in Louisiana.
• Get A Game Plan: Get A Game Plan is Louisiana’s emergency preparedness campaign designed to help individuals, families, and businesses create plans for staying safe before, during, and after disasters.
• SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
• The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 via telephone (1-800-985-5990) and SMS (text 'TalkWithUs' to 66746) to residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or man-made disasters.
• Red Cross: The Red Cross provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and education in communities across the nation, helping those affected by crises through their helpline at 1-800-REDCROSS.
• United Policyholders (UP) is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) consumer advocacy group that specializes in helping disaster victims with insurance claim issues. UP also trains case managers and legal aid lawyers to assist clients with insurance and recovery matters. For help with flood, wind, hurricane, and auto insurance questions.
• ABA Disaster Legal Services Program: Through the Disaster Legal Services Program, the ABA Young Lawyers Division (ABA-YLD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provide immediate temporary legal assistance to disaster survivors at no charge. 
• FloodProof App Post-Disaster Relief Legal Help App: Proving you own your home is necessary to qualify for FEMA, SBA loans, or other disaster rebuilding funds. The Flood Proof app helps users get their documents and information in order and connects those who qualify with free legal help.

• Use our Referral Navigator to find which free or reduced-cost legal service programs you might qualify for.
• Acadiana Legal Service Corporation and Southeast Louisiana Legal Services provide free legal assistance to those who qualify - typically at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
• If you don't qualify for free legal services, you may qualify for the Modest Means Directory.
• You may also be able to submit a question and get legal advice online through the Louisiana Free Legal Answers program.
• If your income is still too high for the Modest Means Directory or Louisiana Free Legal Answers, you'll need to find a private attorney through the Louisiana State Bar Association. 

In response to the impact of Hurricane Francine, various forms of public benefits and disaster assistance are available for affected residents in Louisiana.

For more information, see Public Benefits After a Disaster. 

FEMA registration is now open for the following parishes: 

• Ascension Parish
• Assumption Parish
• Lafourche Parish
• St. Charles Parish
• St. James Parish 
• St. John the Baptist Parish
• St. Mary Parish
• Terrebonne Parish 

All survivors in need of assistance should apply. FEMA assists both homeowners and renters. FEMA also has new policies to help under-insured homeowners. For more information, visit FEMA's Individuals and Households Program. 

You can apply: 

• By phone: 1-800-621-3362
• In-person with Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).
• Online: DisasterAssistance.gov

Help add more Parishes – Report Your Hurricane Francine Damage 

FEMA assistance for Hurricane Francine is only for the Parishes listed above.

FEMA and the State of Louisiana are still gathering information on damage in other parishes.

To help Federal Authorities better understand the location and severity of damage impacts, you should report your home’s damages to: https://damage.la.gov/

Only report damage to your primary home.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) got federal approval on September 20, 2024, to provide disaster food assistance for families affected by Hurricane Francine. The USDA approved:

• DSNAP (Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) in 8 parishes.
• Automatic SNAP replacement benefits in 4 parishes.
• Automatic SNAP supplements in 6 parishes.

Here is some more information for non-SNAP Households (DSNAP Applicants) and SNAP Recipients:

Non-SNAP Households (DSNAP Applicants)

1. Eligibility:
   • Current SNAP recipients are not eligible for DSNAP.
   • DSNAP operations are available for 8 approved parishes: Ascension, Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, and Terrebonne.
2. Application Process:
3. Interviews Start: September 25, 2024.
4. When to Apply: Residents should call the LAHelpU Customer Service Center on their assigned day (based on last name) or during open A-Z days (open to all).
5. Phone Number: 1-888-LAHELPU (1-888-524-3578).
6. Schedule:
   • Day 1 (Sept. 25): Last names A-G
   • Day 2 (Sept. 26): Last names H-M
   • Day 3 (Sept. 27): Last names N-Z
   • Days 4-5 (Sept. 30 & Oct. 1): Open to all.
7. In-Person Option:
   • Vulnerable groups (elderly, disabled) can apply at DCFS offices or community centers in the affected parishes.

For SNAP Recipients

1. SNAP Replacements:
   • Recipients in Assumption, Lafourche, St. Mary, and Terrebonne parishes automatically receive 40% of their September benefits by Sept. 25, 2024, due to power outages.
   • Other affected parishes can apply for replacements by submitting a SNAP 38 form (deadline Sept. 30, 2024).
2. SNAP Supplements:
   • SNAP households in 6 parishes (Ascension, Assumption, Lafourche, St. John, St. Mary, Terrebonne) will automatically receive supplemental benefits to reach the maximum monthly allotment.
   • Households in St. James and St. Charles need to apply for supplements using a Statement of Disaster Loss (form DIS-14).
3. How to Apply for Benefits:
   • Online: Submit forms on the DCFS website.
   • Upload: Scan and upload forms via the CAFÉ system.
   • Mail/Fax: Send forms to DCFS.
   • In-Person: Submit forms at your local DCFS office.

For more information about disaster SNAP benefits, see Disaster Emergency SNAP Benefits. 

If you lost your job, were self-employed, or were supposed to start work but couldn’t because of Hurricane Francine, you may qualify for unemployment benefits.

These benefits are available if you live or work in the following Louisiana parishes:

• Ascension
• Assumption
• Lafourche
• St. Charles
• St. James
• St. John the Baptist
• St. Mary
• Terrebonne

You must apply by November 15, 2024, and submit the necessary documents within 21 days of applying. If you miss this deadline, you’ll need to explain why. Visit laworks.net for more information and to apply. 

If you qualify, you can get benefits from September 15, 2024, to March 22, 2025, as long as your job loss is directly related to the hurricane.

For more information, see Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

For more information about regular unemployment benefits, see Unemployment Benefits.