Hawaii Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides

Frequently Asked Questions

Federal Assistance and Disaster Recovery Centers

Q: Does it usually take more than two months after a disaster to receive additional FEMA assistance?
A disaster declaration was approved on May 8, 2018 for Public Assistance, which provides reimbursement to state and local agencies for repairs to damaged public infrastructure and costs incurred for responding to the disaster. At that time, the damage and impacts to individuals did not exceed the capabilities of the state and local resources. Since then, the state provided additional supporting documentation to FEMA in June and as a result, the Individual Assistance program was approved and added to the existing disaster declaration on June 27, 2018.

Q:  Who should apply for disaster assistance?
Homeowners, renters, private nonprofits and businesses in Kaua`i County and the City and County of Honolulu who sustained damage or losses to their primary homes, vehicles or personal property as a result of the severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that occurred April 13-April 16 can apply for disaster assistance.

The deadline to appy for FEMA assistance is August 27, 2018.

Homeowners, renters, private nonprofits and business owners (including landlords) may also be eligible for assistance through the U.S. Small Business Administration for damage or losses to their primary home or business.  Disaster assistance from the SBA is in the form of low-interest disaster loans.

Many homeowners have already begun the recovery process and have cleaned up after the storm. Please take photos of any damage and keep receipts of any repairs done to your home. Be sure to contact your insurance company to file a claim and find out what may be eligible under your policy. By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits from insurance or another agency.

Verification of damages to personal property is also required. If your personal property is not available
for inspection then a technician statement, pictures, receipts may help with verifying damages.

Q:  How do I apply for disaster assistance?
Eligible homeowners, renters, private nonprofits, and business owners can apply in the following ways:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
• By Phone 800-621-3362. Operators are available to help in many languages.
  • Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 800-621-3362. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.
  • The toll-free numbers are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.
• FEMA Mobile App
  • Visit fema.gov/mobile-app or through the app store

To apply for SBA low-interest disaster loans, Applicants can visit the disaster recovery center for one-on-one assistance or apply online using SBA’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
In addition, applicants can get more information on SBA disaster assistance by calling SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955, by visiting sba.gov/disaster, or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

Paper applications may be requested, and completed paper applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Disaster Recovery Centers are staffed with representatives from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Survivors can meet one-on-one with specialists in disaster recovery.

Three of the State and Federal Disaster Recovery Centers in Kaua’i and Oahu converted to U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOC) on Monday July 9, 2018 and Thursday July 12, 2018. These facilities are now closed. 
SBA customer service representatives will continue to answer questions, explain the application process, help businesses and individuals apply for a low-interest disaster loan and close their approved disaster loans.

SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers location are:

Kaua‘i

• Kōloa Elementary School Humanities Room; 3223 Poipu Road, Koloa, HI
  • This facility closed Friday, July 20 at 5:00pm
• Kapa‘a Elementary School Cafeteria: 4886 Kawaihau Road, Kapa’a, HI
  • This facility closed Tuesday, July 18 at 6:00pm

Oahu

• Keolu Elementary; 1416 Keolu Drive, Kailua, HI
  • This facility closed Tuesday, July 18 at 6:00pm

Q: Why should I visit a DRC?
At a DRC, applicants can:

• Find answers to questions about the application process or get help making the initial registration;
• Check the status of an application, update personal contact information, or give insurance information to FEMA assistance specialists;
• Find out what to do if your application is found ineligible for FEMA assistance;
• Learn the information FEMA needs to process an individual’s application;
• Speak to  U.S. Small Business Administration customer service representatives about low-interest disaster loans for businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters;
• Get help completing and submitting SBA disaster loan applications.

All centers are accessible and equipped with equipment to accommodate disaster survivors who have access and/or functional needs. If an American Sign Language Interpreter is needed please see the DRC Manager and we can arrange to have someone available.

Federal Disaster Assistance ASL video (Applying for FEMA disaster assistance)

Q: What type of documents do I need to bring to the DRC?
Applicants will be asked for the following information:

• 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

Q: What types of assistance are available?
Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs, destroyed home replacement, uninsured and underinsured personal property losses; medical, dental and funeral expenses caused by the disaster, and other serious disaster-related expenses, including childcare.

FEMA programs cannot duplicate benefits from insurance or another agency. Financial assistance is limited and may not return your home to pre-disaster condition.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (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 non-profit 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.

Q: I registered with the City, County and Voluntary agencies after the storms, am I registered with FEMA?
No. The Individual Assistance program was approved and added to the existing disaster declaration on June 27, 2018. If you registered with another agency prior to June 27th, then you are not registered with FEMA. You can register online, over the phone, or through the FEMA app.

Q: I have registered for assistance. What happens next?
If your home or its contents are damaged or destroyed and you are uninsured or underinsured, a FEMA inspector may contact you within 10 days after you apply to schedule a time to meet with you to verify damages. All inspectors carry photo ID that shows they are affiliated with the U.S. government.

If your home was destroyed or is not accessible, FEMA will work with you to examine your home in order to assess the damage.
About 10 days after the inspection FEMA will determine if you qualify for assistance. If you qualify, FEMA will send you a check by mail or deposit it in your bank account. FEMA will also send you a letter describing how you are to use the funds.

Other agencies may require additional verifications for their disaster assistance programs.

Q: What will FEMA accept as proof that I occupied my home?
FEMA accepts many documents as proof of occupancy, including a utility  or credit card bill or other first class mail sent to you and showing the damaged property as your address, a pay stub, or a current driver’s license.

Q: What do I do with the SBA loan application?
Submitting an SBA disaster assistance loan application is a vital step in the recovery process. Survivors should complete and submit the application to be considered for a low-interest loan, as well as other types of federal assistance. These loans are the major source of recovery funding.

There is no obligation to accept a loan, if one is offered.  If SBA finds that you do not qualify for a disaster loan, you may be referred back to FEMA for possible other assistance.

If you were referred by FEMA to the SBA, you must complete the SBA application process, even if declined by the SBA, in order to be referred back to FEMA for any other possible assistance.

 
Q: Do I have to repay the money from FEMA?
No. FEMA assistance does not have to be repaid and is not taxable income. It has no effect on Social Security, Medicaid or other safety net programs.

Q: Do I have to repay the money from SBA?
Yes. SBA low interest disaster loans must be repaid. These low interest disaster loans have repayment terms up to 30 years.

Q: If I do not receive enough money to meet all my needs, what do I do?
Most disaster aid programs are intended to meet only essential needs and are not intended to cover all your losses. Some people may qualify for assistance from more than one program, so you may be eligible for additional help from another agency.

Q: Why should I register with FEMA when I have insurance and others need the help more than I do?
Although you had insurance you may be underinsured and have unmet needs. If you sustained damages as a result of the storms contact FEMA and register and let FEMA determine your eligibility.

Q: Will FEMA pay for my food loss?
No. Food loss is not covered by the FEMA program. If you have an emergency need for a meal, contact your local Red Cross Chapter. Voluntary organizations at the DRC may be able to help you with food needs.

Q: Will FEMA help pay my utility bills?
No. FEMA is not authorized to make such payments. However, local charitable organizations may be able to help for a short period. We suggest you contact the Red Cross or your local United Way office for a referral to the appropriate agency in your location.

Q: I heard of Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams going door to door, who are they and will they be visiting my home?
DSA Teams are a professional “force multiplier” that support Federal, State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial requirements in the field. DSA teams will be coordinating with the City and County of Honolulu and Kaua’i County in identifying homes impacted by the April storms while conducting outreach in impacted communities, in some cases going door to door in your neighborhood. They have the capability to conduct FEMA Registrations on IPads. During this process they will ask for some personal information including: SSN, annual income, account number and routing number, names of occupants of the impacted property. Teams will be identifiable by their FEMA Badges.

Q: I'm self-employed and out of work. Do I qualify for disaster unemployment assistance?

Disaster Unemployment Assistance, funded by FEMA and administered by the State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, provides benefits for workers who would not normally qualify for unemployment compensation, including farmers, farm workers and those who are self-employed. Individuals who were living or working in the affected area at the time of the major disaster and unemployed as a direct result of the major disaster and do not qualify forregular unemploymentinsurance may be eligible for DUA benefits. Workers unemployed due to the disaster may applyforregular unemployment insurance benefits by filing online. Go to http://labor.hawaii.gov. DUA applications must be submitted no later than August 2, 2018.

Q. Is Disaster Legal Services available to Individuals andHomeowners?

A toll-free legal aid hotline is now available to survivors of the stateofHawaii’s for two recentlydeclared disasters in Hawaii County for the Kilauea Volcano eruption and in Kauai County and Cityand County of Honolulu for the severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides from April 13, 2018 –April 16, 2018. The service allows callers to request the assistance ofa lawyer to aid in disaster relatedmatters by calling 1-800-499-4302 toll-free between 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Hawaii Time, Monday through Friday, to requestassistance. Callerscan also leave a voicemail byselecting option #3 on the hotline, email their information to disaster.help@legalaidhawaii.org, or visit www.legalaidhawaii.org for more resources. Individuals who qualifyfor assistance will be matched with Hawaii lawyers who have volunteeredto provide free legal assistance.

News Releases, Notices and Updates

All News Releases for the Hawaii Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (DR-4365) are available here

• PUBLIC NOTICE MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION FEMA-4365-DR-HI

• FEMA Registration Deadline for April’s Storm Damage is Monday

• FEMA Registration Deadline for April’s Storm Damage is Aug. 27

• Disaster Recovery Centers in Kaua’i County and the City and County of Honolulu Will Close

• Federal Disaster Assistance Tops $2.5 Million

• The Disaster Recovery Centers have New Hours

• Applicants for FEMA Aid have the Right to Appeal Agency’s Decision

• Disaster Recovery Centers Hours of Operation and Locations Will Change

• FEMA Disaster Survivor Teams Conduct Door To Door Visits To Residents Affected By The April Storms

• Disaster Recovery Center will Open in Honolulu and Kauai Counties

• Disaster Assistance Expanded for April Flood Survivors

• Deadlines For Public Agencies, Private Nonprofit Agencies To File Requests For Storm Recovery Assistance

• FEDERAL AID PROGRAMS FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII

• PUBLIC NOTICE- MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION - FEMA-4365-DR-HI