Today, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) received federal approval to begin virtual Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) operations in Orleans Parish to provide additional food aid to families affected by Hurricane Zeta. The over-the-phone application process will run in a single phase from Monday, Feb. 1, to Sunday, Feb. 7.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is now available to certain workers in Orleans Parish who lost income as a direct result of Hurricane Zeta. The purpose of DUA is to help workers whose primary incomes are lost or interrupted by a federally declared disaster.

Today, the City of New Orleans announced that homeowners, renters, and business owners in Orleans Parish who experienced uninsured losses due to Hurricane Zeta may be eligible for federal disaster assistance. 

On Dec. 14, City of New Orleans contractors completed Hurricane Zeta debris removal. The City provided its debris removal contractors, DRC Emergency Services and Ceres Environmental Services, with maps that illustrated assigned zones and subzones. Monitors from Witt O’Brien’s documented that all debris placed curbside by Nov. 6 (or prior to the pass by the debris removal contractors on each street) was picked up in accordance with FEMA eligibility guidelines. Throughout the debris removal process, residents could visit NOLA Ready for updates on pickup progress in their zones.

The City of New Orleans emergency debris removal contractors, Witt O’ Brien’s, DRC Emergency Services and Ceres Environmental continue to remove Hurricane Zeta debris throughout the City on public right of ways. Since Nov. 3, removal has occurred in three stages:

• Removal of hazardous limbs and trees (started Nov. 3) 
• Removal of vegetative debris, including cut and stacked hazardous limbs and trees (started Nov. 6) 
• Removal of construction and demolition debris (started Nov. 14)

The City of New Orleans reminds residents and businesses of job and subcontracting opportunities with debris removal contractors DRC Emergency Services and Ceres Environmental. These services may be utilized after major weather events. Subcontracting opportunities with these companies for hauling tons of storm debris are available now.

Today, the City of New Orleans provided additional information on resources available to residents in need of food or meal assistance after Hurricane Zeta. 

Recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Orleans Parish will receive automatic 25% replacement benefits due to widespread power outages from Hurricane Zeta, following a waiver approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. 

NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) will return to regular operations Wednesday, Nov. 4, after schools have assessed and responded to the impacts of Hurricane Zeta. This return includes the full reinstatement of NOLA-PS’ community feeding program.  

NOLA-PS central offices and most NOLA Public Schools will be closed for Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Students’ families should check with their school administrators for specific information.  

The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) will waive all transit fares on Tuesday, November 3^rd in observance of Election Day. This policy is a result of a resolution adopted by the RTA Board of Commissioners at the June 2020 board meeting, which waives RTA transit fares for bus, streetcar, ferry, and paratransit services on all citywide election days.  

Today, the City of New Orleans provided an update on Election Day polling sites, phased-approach for clean-up, recovery efforts and resources following Hurricane Zeta. Plans to provide and operate generators at all polling locations without power on Election Day have been finalized.