📢 Maui Financial Assistance Relief

Posted on Sep 15, 2023 in Hot Topics, Main

In the wake of the Maui wildfire, we’ve compiled essential resources to assist you in various aspects of recovery. Explore the following categories for utility assistance, emergency relief, and support for affected businesses. We’re here to help you navigate the path to recovery.

UTILITY ASSISTANCE 

  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) 
    • To apply in Maui County (Maui Economic Opportunity – MEO) MEO Maui Office – (808) 249-2970
      Hana Office – (808) 248-8282
      Moloka‘i Office – (808) 553-3216
      Lāna‘i Office – (808) 565-6665 
    • Energy Crisis Intervention (open and accepting applications year-round)
      • Assists households in crisis who will be disconnected 
      • Maximum $1,000 in assistance per household 
    • Energy Credit (open and accepting applications June 1 – 30, 2023)
        • Assists households not in crisis, but who need assistance 
        • Payment amounts vary 
  • Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement Rent Relief Program 
    • To apply, call (808) 596-8155 
    • Currently open and accepting applications (for DHHL waitlist applicants OR an undivided interest lessee in the State of Hawai’i with imminent risk of homelessness or housing instability only)
    • Household income at or below 80% Area Median Income 
    • Rent (maximum of 12 months); back rent from March 13, 2020 to current; utilities; and/or back payment on utilities from March 13, 2020 
  • Hawaii Association of Realtors Relief Foundation 
    • The REALTORS® Relief Foundation Application for Disaster Relief Assistance is available to qualified applicants towards one of the following options: 
    • Monthly mortgage expenses for primary residence that was damaged by the Wildfire Disaster; or 
    • Rental cost due to displacement from the primary residence resulting from the Wildfire Disaster; or 
    • Hotel reimbursement due to displacement from the primary residence resulting from the Wildfire Disaster. 
    • Relief assistance is limited to a maximum of $3,000 per household.
    • first come, first serve basis 
    • Applications and questions can be submitted to: [email protected]. 
  • Ka Hale A Ke Ola’s (KHAKO) Rental Assistance Program  
    • homelessness prevention program that provides direct rental assistance payments, supplemented by counseling and case management for a minimum of six (6) months to a year, to individuals and families moving from emergency shelter to permanent housing and Maui residents at risk of becoming homeless due to a temporary lack of financial resources. 
    • For more information, contact our Rental Assistance Coordinator at (808) 446-8129 

 

EMERGENCY RELIEF 

  • American Red Cross Financial Assistance 
    • For help, call 1-800-733-2767 
    • Financial assistance for survivors of Maui wildfires whose primary residences were destroyed or sustained eligible structural damage 
    • Applications available from August 28, 2023 to September 15, 2023 
  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Benefits 
    • For help, call 833-901-2272 
    • Family Assistance Center 
      • Hyatt Regency Maui –
        Monarchy Ballroom
        200 Nohea Kai Drive
        Lahaina, HI 96761 
      • Maui Claims Office
        54 S. High Street, Room 201
        Wailuku, HI 96793 
      • American Job Center Hawai‘i – Maui 
        • 110 Ala‘ihi Street, #209
          Kahului, HI 96732 
    • For workers, business owners, and self-employed individuals who lived or worked in the affected area at the time of the disaster and became unemployed or had their work hours interrupted
    • Applications due on September 25, 2023 
    • Benefits occur from August 13,2023 until February 10, 2024 
  • FEMA Critical Needs Assistance 
    • For help, call 800-621-3362 
    • One-time payment $700 per household 
    • For Critical Needs Assistance eligibility: 
      • Provide verification of identity 
      • Complete FEMA application 
      • Note critical needs and request financial assistance in application 
      • Have a pre-disaster primary residence located in area designated for Critical Needs Assistance 
  • FEMA Individuals and Households Program (IHP) 
    • For help, call 800-621-3362 
    • Provides financial and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster, who have uninsured or under-insured necessary expenses and serious needs 
    • IHP Assistance may include: 
      • Funds for temporary housing 
      • Temporary housing unit 
      • Funds to support repair or replacement of owner-occupied homes 
      • Funds for hazard mitigation assistance 
      • Funds for other uninsured or under-insured disaster-caused expenses and serious needs 
  • Hawai‘i Fire Relief Housing Program 
    • For help, call (808) 587-0469 or email [email protected] 
    • Governor Josh Green and Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) connect Maui residents in need of housing due to the Maui fires with Hawai‘i homeowners who have temporarily available rooms, units, or houses 
  • People’s Fund of Maui
    • For help, call (808) 427-7777 
    • Funds available for every adult resident 18-years-old or older living in impacted areas and displaced by Maui wildfires 
    • $1,200 per month per resident 

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE 

  • Maui Strong Fund  
    • Grant funds for non-profit organizations from the Hawaii Community Foundation 
    • For questions on application or grant process email HCF team at [email protected] 
  • Small Business Disaster Loans 
    • U.S. President Biden approved the Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans for homeowners, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. These loans can help individuals and organizations repair or replace disaster-damaged property, inventory, and supplies. Homeowners and renters may also use SBA loans to repair or replace disaster-related damage to homes or personal property. 
    • SBA Disaster Loan applications for physical damage must be filed by October 10, 2023. Economic injury loans are due May 10, 2024.  
    • Before applying, individuals should register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or visit DisasterAssistance.gov. 
    • SBA representatives are available to provide face-to-face help with the application process at the following locations:  
      • Disaster Recovery Center (Individuals & businesses)‍ University of Hawaii Maui College 
        310 W Ka‘ahumanu Avenue
        Kahului, HI  96732
        Mondays – Sundays
        8:00 am – 7:00 pm HST 
      • Business Recovery Center
        (Businesses Only)
        Hawaii Technology Development Corp.
        Maui Research Technology Center (MRTC)
        Building # A, Suite 119 (Conference Rm.)
        590 Lipoa Parkway
        Kihei, HI  96753
        Mondays – Fridays 8:00 am – 5:00 pm HST
        Saturdays 10:00 am – 2:00 pm HST 
    • For more information, please visit sba.gov/hawaii-wildfires. 
    • Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-(800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA financial disaster assistance. 
  • CORE Children of Restaurant Employees 
    • Grants/Financial relief for restruants, food and beverage service employees with children 
    • CORE Grant application period ends on Sun, Dec 31, 2023 9:00 PM 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES