I did as the Mayor of Lake Charles suggested and filed an application with FEMA online last evening at 8pm. Supposed to get some type of assistance within 24 hrs. Instead I get a message that says the damages will have to be inspected before a decision on assistance could be made. I like all others in Calcasieu are prohibited to return to our homes and most are scattered throughout the country. I am in Kentucky with no help from FEMA or the Red Cross. Wondering if anyone was successful in obtaining any assistance from FEMA for living expenses. Please Post your results.

I registered on Saturday online. Today I called the front desk at the hotel that we are staying at (Hot Springs,Arkansas) and told them that FEMA was supposed to be paying for my stay (as well as a second room for family). The front desk said "Oh, I was unaware you were a Rita victim, we will take care of that immediately". All I have to pay for is the cost incurred on calling out of the room. Total we should have paid around $1600 for the 4 nights we were here (total for both rooms). But the front desk just made a few corrections, billed FEMA, and took it off of my credit card. Just in case you want to know, we are staying at the Embassy Suites (Hilton chain, http://www.hilton.com)and they have been wonderful so far.

One of my friends called and spoke to someone. He had to give his account info and the FEMA rep said he will have $2k in his account in a short time. He said but I can't remember.

One of the guys in school with me is from NO. He said that everyone he knows who applied online was denied. Those who called had much better luck.

I was in Pensacola for Ivan. After things became safe (ie. roads were somewhat clear), FEMA sent reps into the area and were very helpful.

I applied for assistance also online....was told by others affected by Katrina, was told they haven't received any monetary help. I'm in Austin....single mother needing help feeding my son.

I'm a Katrina victim in Denham Springs, east of Baton Rouge. Still haven't heard anything from FEMA....I don't know of anyone yet that has rcvd any help. I have family in Lake Charles, Sulphur, Welsh and Hathaway....none of them are having luck either....some of the family is here staying with us and same thing told...inspection first...this makes no sense........what is going to happen to "our great united states?"

I tried getting help from FEMA by calling yesterday. They denied me today because damages are covered by insurance. I live in Westlake and thought that they were giving 2000.00 to help with expenses since we are unable to go home.I stayed on hold with them for 20 mintues for them to say that their computers are down and to call back later. I can't get thru to the red cross number. The president just spoke from LC and said to call FEMA to get your 2000.00. What do we have to do to get this money. My husband is a police officer and is in Westlake. I am in Houston with a 6 yr old and I'm 7 1/2 mos. pregnant. I don't understand why everyone tells us to call FEMA to get money and they won't give it. My home in Westlake has no damage to the house - only the wooden fence is destroyed. Does anyone know any other way to get some money for food and necessities. We are staying with friends of family here in Houston and they are very nice - I just hate bumming off of people.

I do not have direct experience with FEMA but I can tell you a place where you can get some hints/advice/talk with people who have experience (unfortunately for them) is the NOLA.com (New Orleans Times-Picayune) message boards, etc.

My uncle is now living with my parents... formerly of New Orleans. I've heard his story plus those of his friends and coworkers and I can tell you the help ain't all it's cracked up to be. Especially if you have 1) any homeowner's or renter's insurance 2) are staying with family or friends 3) your house is damaged, not totally missing.

I know many of you helped victims of Katrina. Now you need help.... This is really bad all the way around.

All my best to all of you... I think of you every day.

Fema is taking gas for themself and cops. My family can not get out of DeQuincy to get to my house in alabama because they can't get gas. ALL I can say is "FEMA" do your job and think about the people you are suppose to be helping!!!!

I can't believe you are whining about FEMA at a time like this. You need to wonder, "What if there was no FEMA? What would I do?" Then, do that. None of us likes being away from our homes and having to bum off of family, friends and strangers (churches, shelters, etc), but we're just trying to survive. Stop waiting for FEMA and do whatever you have to do to provide for yourself and your family.

We pay taxes towards FEMA. It is for us, funded by us. Federal Emergency Management Agency...People are without food, clothing and housing, I consider this an emergency. So please stop telling these people to stop whining, some of us do care.

Kathryn....u don't understand the frustration of these people. My family in Calcasieu no longer has a home nor a job. Some of them lived paycheck to paycheck and are now out of money. It took them 11 hours to get to Baton Rouge from Lake Charles and they had to use the last of their money for gas. What suggestions do you have for people to survive on their own. The reason people are waiting on FEMA is because they were told they would get the help!!

i dont appreciate being forced to leave my home then told i cant come back. then promised help with costs and then denied immediately after that by people who obviously cant slap thier butts with both hands. no ,right now i could care less if fema exist or not, preferrably not

I am not saying that FEMA should not be helping - Of course they should. My point is that you shouldn't necessarily wait around for them. There are MANY other resources from which to get help until FEMA comes through. FEMA is a relatively new organization that didn't exist during the days of Audrey. What did the people do then? They pulled themselves up by their bootstraps as best they could and relied on the kindness and generosity of strangers for the rest. There is no such thing as an efficient government agency - - Why should we expect anything more from FEMA?

when audry came through there was no government agency preventing them from going in and doing it for themselves. your point is???

quote:

Originally posted by Kathryn:
There are MANY other resources from which to get help until FEMA comes through.

Please take the time to list these "MANY other resources"