Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency

DR-4366-HI NR 020
Sept. 6, 2018
HI-EMA PIO: 808-733-4300
NEWS DESK: 808-851-7928

News Release

Deadline to Register for Disaster Assistance for Kilauea Recovery is Sept. 12

HONOLULU — Hawai’i County residents with uninsured or underinsured damage or losses as a result of the Kilauea eruptions and earthquakes have until Sept. 12, 2018 to register with FEMA for disaster assistance and to apply for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Disaster assistance can include grants for rental assistance, home repairs and replacement, as well as low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. These loans are available to businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries.

Residents who have yet to register can do so by visiting the Disaster Recovery Center located at the Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility, 15-3022 Kauhale Street in Pāhoa. Hours at the recovery center are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The center is closed on Sundays.

Survivors may also register 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 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time, seven days a week.

Business owners and nonprofits located in Hawai’i County may qualify for up to $2 million in low- interest SBA disaster loans both for physical and economic damage. Homeowners may qualify for up to $200,000 for home damage. Homeowners and renters can apply for up to $40,000 to replace personal property. Applicants may call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

Registrants who are contacted by SBA should complete and return the application even if they don’t want a loan. Application information can be considered to determine eligibility for other disaster assistance, such as reimbursement for personal property, medical, storage and vehicles.

If an applicant’s contact information changes, let FEMA know as the agency may need to get in touch.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.