Hawai’i County residents may register for assistance from Kilauea Volcano losses
Residents of Hawai‘i County who suffered damage or losses from the recent Kilauea Volcano 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.
