La. R.S. 53:102

The department of public welfare, or such other department, office, agency, or commission, designated by the Governor for the purpose, may establish all rules and regulations to take any action necessary and desirable, in conformity with the laws, rules and regulations of the federal government, grant monetary assistance, make investigations and render all other necessary or desirable services to any person who has suffered distress by reason of any restrictive action of the federal government, the evacuation of civilians, sabotage, civil defense measures or enemy action, whether such distress occur during or prior to the existence of a state of war.