NON-CITIZENS MAY APPLY FOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE
[https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/non-citizens-may-apply-disaster-assistance]


Release Date: 
Oct 9, 2023 

FEMA is committed to helping all eligible survivors recover from the
AUG. 8 Maui wildfires, including U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals
and qualified non-citizens. Survivors who do not qualify for federal
assistance may still call the FEMA HELPLINE AT 800-621-3362 for
referrals to other sources of aid.

	* Survivors with losses due to the Maui wildfires may apply for
assistance from FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program from
anywhere you currently reside.
	* You or a member of your household must be a U.S. citizen,
non-citizen national or other qualified non-citizen. If you do not
meet that legal status, your household may still apply for and be
considered for FEMA assistance:
	* If another member of your household meets the eligibility criteria
and certifies their citizenship status during the registration process
or signs the DECLARATION AND RELEASE form. 
	* If the person with qualifying status is the homeowner, that person
may apply for FEMA assistance for the entire household, including
housing assistance.
	* The parent or guardian of a minor child living in the same
household may apply for assistance on behalf of the child who is a
U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or qualified non-citizen. The
parent or legal guardian must register with FEMA as the co-applicant,
and the minor child must have been under age 18 at the time the
disaster occurred.
	* Renters with eligible citizenship status are limited to a federal
grant to replace their own disaster-damaged personal belongings or
other essential services such as medical and dental bills or childcare
needs caused by the wildfires. 

QUALIFIED NON-CITIZENS

	* Qualified non-citizens include:
	* a legal permanent resident (“green card” holder)
	* an asylee, refugee or a non-citizen whose deportation is being
withheld
	* a non-citizen who enters the U.S. for at least one year under
humanitarian circumstances
	* a Cuban or Haitian entrant
	* certain non-citizens subjected to extreme cruelty or those who have
been a victim of a severe form of human trafficking, including persons
with a “T” or “U” visa

NON-CITIZEN NATIONALS

	* A non-citizen national is a person born in a U.S. territory (such
as American Samoa and Swains Island) on or after the date the U.S.
acquired the territory. This can also be a person whose parents are
U.S. non-citizen nationals.

QUALIFIED MINOR CHILDREN

	* The parent or guardian of a minor child living in the same
household may apply for assistance on behalf of the minor child who is
a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or qualified non-citizen. The
minor child must be under age 18 as of the first day of the disaster,
TUESDAY, AUG. 8.

RESOURCES 

	* See CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION STATUS REQUIREMENTS FOR FEDERAL
PUBLIC BENEFITS for more information in multiple languages
at fema.gov/assistance/individual/program/citizenship-immigration-status
[https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/program/citizenship-immigration-status].
	* If you’re unsure of your immigration status, talk to an
immigration expert. You may also call the FEMA HELPLINE AT
800-621-3362 to learn if your status falls within the immigration
status requirements for FEMA disaster assistance. If you do not
qualify for a nontaxable FEMA grant, you may still be able to receive
other forms of non-cash assistance. Non-profit organizations offer
help without regard to citizenship status.
	* Visit nvoad.org/ [https://www.nvoad.org/] to learn about other
voluntary organizations.

APPLY FOR FEMA DISASTER ASSISTANCE

	* If you were affected by the Maui wildfires, you are encouraged to
apply for FEMA disaster assistance. There are several ways to apply:
 
	* Go to DisasterAssistance.gov [http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov] 
	* Use the FEMA mobile app
	* Call the FEMA HELPLINE at 800-621-3362. If you use video relay
service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number
for that service when you apply. Helpline operators are available
from 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3
for an interpreter who speaks your language. 
	* For an accessible video on how to apply, go
to youtube.com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZGpWI2RCNw]
	* For the latest information on the Maui wildfire recovery efforts,
visit mauirecovers.org,  mauicounty.gov
[https://www.mauicounty.gov/] and fema.gov/disaster/4724.
[https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4724] Follow FEMA on social
media: @FEMARegion9 [https://twitter.com/femaregion9]
and facebook.com/fema [http://www.facebook.com/fema].