President Joe Biden late Monday declared that Louisiana suffered major damage from Hurricane Francine and ordered the federal government to send major dollars to help in recovery.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services received federal approval on Friday, Sept. 20 for several forms of disaster food assistance for families affected by Hurricane Francine. USDA Food and Nutrition Service approved Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program operations in eight parishes,

The National Hurricane Center said Francine gained hurricane status about 350 miles southwest of Morgan City, Louisiana.

Fraudulent contractors have targeted Louisiana residents numerous times over the last several years. The United States Attorney's Office said that over 1,200 complaints for fraudulent cases were reported in Baton Rouge in 2016 after historic floods devastated south Louisiana.

With hours to go until Hurricane Francine makes landfall in Louisiana, "the time to evacuate has now passed," Jacques Thibodeau, the director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said at a news conference.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is now available to businesses and residents in Louisiana whose employment or self-employment was lost or disrupted due to Hurricane Francine.

Help is within reach for Louisiana residents who may have lost money due to Hurricane Francine. Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to businesses and residents in eight parishes whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Francine.

President Joe Biden issued a major disaster declaration for eight south Louisiana parishes Tuesday (Sept. 17), clearing the way for qualifying residents and businesses to apply for federal assistance.

The White House approved Governor Jeff Landry’s request for a major disaster declaration, following Hurricane Francine and flooding that hit the state.