Hawai’i County Residents May Register for Assistance, Disaster Recovery Center to Open

News Release from FEMA, June 14, 2018

Honolulu - Residents of Hawai‘i  County  who suffered damage or losses from the recent Kilauea volcanic eruption and earthquakes,  can now register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The amendment to the presidential disaster declaration of May 11, 2018 now makes federal assistance available to eligible individuals, business owners and private non-profit organizations in Hawai‘i County.

A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), jointly operated by the state of Hawai‘i and FEMA will open on Friday, June 15 at 8 a.m. The DRC is located at Kea‘au High School Gymnasium, 16-725 Kea‘au-Pahoa Rd., Kea‘au, HI 96749 and will be open daily from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.  People can register for assistance at the DRC, as well as having many of their questions answered.  FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and state and county government agencies will be present at the center.

Residents are asked to follow the schedule below for FEMA registrations for greater efficiency, and in order to avoid long lines and waits:

• Friday: Leilani Estates, Lanipuna Gardens, Alaili Road and Old Kalapana Highway;
• Saturday: Highway 132, Noni Farms Road, Halekamahina Road, Old Kapoho Road, Puna Kapoho Road, Railroad Avenue and Pohoiki Road;
• Sunday: Vacationland, Kapoho, Green Farm Lots and Kapoho Beach Lots;
• Monday: Community of Volcano.

Please remember, applicants should have the following information on hand:

• Social Security number
• Address of the damaged primary residence
• Description of the damage
• Information about insurance coverage
• A current contact telephone number
• An address where they can receive mail
• Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds

Disaster assistance for homeowners and renters may include grants to help pay for:

• Temporary housing
• Essential home repairs
• Uninsured and underinsured personal property losses
• Other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available for businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries.

FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

Registering with FEMA is an important step in receiving federal aid, even if a survivor has registered with another disaster-relief organization, such as the American Red Cross.

Survivors should register even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.

Survivors can also apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time seven days a week. 

PDF: FEMA Disaster Assistance Fact Sheet

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BIVN: President Trump Approves Hawaii County Individual Assistance Request

The President of the United States has approved Governor David Ige’s request for individual assistance for Hawai‘i County residents who have lost their homes and property in the Kīlauea volcanic eruption. According to the State of Hawaii:

The approval, coming the day after the governor’s request, means that qualifying residents may receive assistance from the federal government’s full scope of individual assistance programs to address issues such as shelter needs, unemployment, trauma and legal matters.

On Friday, June 15, a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Relief Center will be set up at Kea‘au High School in Kea‘au, where county state and federal agencies will initially gather information from residents who have suffered losses.

Residents whose primary homes were destroyed or whose homes are inaccessible due to the lava flow, should register at the FEMA Disaster Relief Center for possible assistance. The agencies will review each case based on the information provided before making decisions on individual assistance.

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GOVERNOR IGE SIGNS REQUEST FOR FEDERAL INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR HAWAII COUNTY IN WAKE OF VOLCANIC ERUPTION

News Release from Office of the Governor, Jun 13, 2018

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige is requesting approval of all federal individual assistance programs for Hawai‘i County residents who have lost their homes and property in the Kilauea volcanic eruption that began in May.

The county has estimated that the eruption has destroyed about 455 residential dwellings, 192 of which are primary residences. In addition, there are homes and farms that are isolated by the lava flows, while others are inaccessible or uninhabitable because of high ash and sulfur dioxide concentrations.

To date, assistance for individuals has been provided by the county government, state agencies, and a large network of non-profit organizations. The state has no individual assistance programs.

Gov. Ige is requesting assistance from ALL of the federal government’s individual federal assistance programs to address disaster-related issues such as shelter, unemployment, trauma and legal matters. The programs include:

Individuals and Households Program (IHP) – which addresses residents’ various needs and will help survivors get back on their feet.

Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) – which will support short-term sheltering for residents.

Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) – which will provide crisis counseling to residents affected by the eruption.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) – which provides assistance to those who have become unemployed because of the disaster.

Disaster Case Management – provides follow-up services required to help families develop individualized recovery plans and provide sustained, coordinated case management.

Disaster Legal Services – provides guidance and assistance for families, primarily with insurance clams recovery/reproduction of legal documents, and advice on landlord issues. This program allows for the establishment of a hotline and other necessary support.

On May 11, 2018 the President approved Gov. Ige’s request for a disaster declaration, authorizing the Public Assistance Grant Program for Hawai‘i County, and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for the State of Hawai‘i.

PDF: Gov Ige request for IA_Hawaii county

HTH: Ige requests federal assistance programs for volcano evacuees 

HNN: President Trump approves individual assistance for some Big Island residents