(WVLA) – Gov. John Bel Edwards enforced an extension for the state’s homeowner assistance program Monday.

According to the Governor’s Office, Edwards instructed the Office of Community Development (OCD) to reopen the Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program  survey until October 19, 2018.

Originally due October 1, the formal application deadline for Restore LA is now November 16, 2018.

We’re told Gov. Edwards reopened the disaster relief initiative in response to a pending agreement reached by the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.

“We have been fighting to remove this federal impediment so that the Restore Louisiana program could provide assistance to more homeowners as they struggle to recover from the devastating floods of 2016,” said Gov. Edwards.

As a result, authorities tell us all flood-impacted homeowners that received SBA loans and have not yet taken the initial program survey are strongly encouraged to do so, regardless of income or whether you’ve completed your repairs.

The survey takes less than 15 minutes to complete and can be accessed by clicking here or by calling 1-866-735-2001 Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.