HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-06-27 FEMA Field Specialists Ensure All Survivors are Offered Support and Resources -- pres release
DR-4366-HINR 004
June 27, 2018
HI-EMA PIO: 808-733-4300
NEWS DESK: 808-851-7928
News Release
FEMA Field Specialists Ensure All Survivors are OfferedSupport and Resources
HONOLULU—Representatives of FEMA’sDisaster Survivor Assistance teams continue field work in
disaster-area communities and shelters to meet withresidents who suffered damage from the Kilauea
eruptions.
Team members can help direct survivors to potential sources of assistance and help them register for
disaster aid with FEMA. The specialists’ goal is to help ensure that all potentially eligible survivors are
made aware of the assistance available to them.
The specialistsalso helpidentifyongoing needs and make referrals to other community partners.DSA
team members also addressrequests for disability-related accommodations.
The DSA teams are workingtogether withHawai‘iEmergency Management Agency and local officials.
DSA team members wear FEMA attire and carry FEMA photo IDs. If the photo ID is not displayed,
survivors are encouraged to ask to see it.
These recovery specialistsmay request the following information:
Social Security number
Address of the damaged property
Description of the damage
Information about insurance coverage
A current contact telephone number
An address where you can receive mail
Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds
Residentsdo not have to wait until they meet witha DSA team member to register with FEMA. They
may visit the state/federal Disaster Recovery Center at Kea‘au High School Gymnasium, 16-725
Kea‘au-Pahoa Rd., Kea‘au, HI 96749
Survivors may also registeronline at DisasterAssistance.govor 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
7 a.m. to 10p.m. seven days a week.
Disaster assistance can include FEMA grants for temporary housing, home repairs and replacement, as
well as low-interest disaster loansfrom 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.
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The U.S. Small Business Administration 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. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service
Center by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at
www.sba.gov/disaster.Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call (800) 877-8339.