BATON ROUGE - You should know that any disaster aid you or your neighbor may receive will be based on each person’s unique circumstances and needs.

The amount and type of assistance one individual receives could be completely different from what his/her neighbor receives, even though the damage appears to be similar.

For example, one might have more extensive insurance coverage or different deductibles than his or her neighbor. Or perhaps the damage might be repaired more inexpensively in one of the homes.

Each applicant’s needs are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Not everyone who registers will necessarily qualify. Once a registration in complete, FEMA will determine what assistance is available and advise accordingly.

Help could include charitable contributions from voluntary agencies, grants to help pay for temporary housing needs, essential home repairs and other disaster-related expenses, and low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration to cover residential and business losses not fully covered by insurance.

Registering with FEMA is a crucial first step in the process. Disaster assistance can be determined only after registration. Register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362. TTY users should call 800-462-7585 directly. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available. Operators are on hand from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until further notice.

Download the FEMA mobile app for disaster resources, weather alerts, and safety tips. The app provides a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, registration assistance, maps of open shelters and weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations across the nation. The latest feature of the app allows you to send notifications to your device to remind you to take important steps to prepare your home and family for disasters. Go to Ready.gov for more details.

Designated parishes for Individuals and Households assistance are Acadia, Ascension, Avoyelles, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. James, St, Landry, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Vermilion, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana.

More information on FEMA’s Individuals and Households Assistance Program can be found at http://www.fema.gov/what-disaster-assistance.