2018-06-21 FAQs re Federal Assistance and Disaster Recovery Centers -- FEMA

Home

DR-4366-HI FAQ 001 June 21, 2018 HIEMA PIO: 808-733-4300 NEWS DESK: 808-851-7928 Frequently Asked Questions Federal Assistance and Disaster Recovery Centers Q: Who should apply for federal assistance? Homeowners, renters, private nonprofits, and business owners in Hawai’i County who sustained damage to their homes, vehicles, personal property, business or its inventory as a result of the Kilauea volcanic eruptions and earthquakes may apply for federal assistance. They can do so the following ways:  At the Disaster Recovery Center in the Kea‘au High School Gymnasium, 16-725 Kea‘au- Pahoa Road  Online at DisasterAssistance.gov  By Phone 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Multilingual operators are available o 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. o The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Disaster Recovery Centers are staffed with representatives from Hawai’i County Civil Defense Agency, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Survivors can meet one-to-one with specialists in disaster recovery. 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 applications are found ineligible for FEMA assistance;  Learn the information FEMA needs to process an individual’s claim;  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.