Due to the impacts of hurricanes Laura and Delta, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is extending the application deadline by a month for the $14.6 million in financial assistance available to Louisiana’s fishing industry hurt financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The original deadline was 11:59 p.m. Oct. 26. The new deadline is 11:59 p.m. Nov. 23 to submit applications for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds.

“After a closer look at the damage left by hurricanes Laura and Delta to the fishing community, the department wants to ensure that everyone impacted by those hurricanes has ample opportunity to apply for the CARES Act relief funds,” said LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet. “This extension will provide those persons more time to devote to repairing and getting services to their homes and taking care of the immediate needs of their family.”

Applications must be submitted online. To access the application, please visit www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/cares-act-assistance. All applications will be considered that are submitted before the deadline. The funds, part of the CARES Act, will be distributed as direct aid payments by the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission to those applicants who qualify.

LDWF reminds the public that there is only one LDWF application available for commercial fishing industry assistance via the CARES Act. Persons applying for commercial fishing industry assistance through this agency must be sure that their application says “Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries” at the top. Those applicants getting businesses to help with their application should have them verify it is the LDWF-managed CARES Act funding. Some individuals who have applied for other CARES Act funds believing they had applied for the LDWF-managed program, but had not. If you need language assistance or assistance submitting an application, contact the South Central Planning and Development Commission (SCPDC) at 800-630-3791.

For more information, contact LDWF Program Development at 225-765-3980 or 855-262-1764.