Federal assistance available for Hawaiʻi County residents impacted by Kona earthquake

Federal disaster assistance is now available to help individuals and households recover from the impacts of the Kona earthquake that occurred May 22.

A major disaster declaration was issued on Sept. 1, which authorizes Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individual Assistance program for Hawaiʻi County. A registration period has opened and is running until Nov. 1.

Those with homeowners or renters’ insurance should file a claim as soon as possible. By law, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance.

If the policy does not cover all damage expenses, there may be eligibility for federal assistance. 

Impacted residents can apply for FEMA Individual Assistance by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Hawaiʻi time every day. Those with a relay service, such as video relay, captioned telephone, or another service should provide FEMA the number for that service. 

Applications can also be done on the FEMA website or through the mobile app. Registration is free and survivors should apply soon. Applications can be updated with additional information if your situation changes.  

Having important information and documents ready will help speed up the application process. Those applying must have:

• Current contact information (phone number, mailing address, and email, if available)
• The address of the damaged home
• Social security number 
• Insurance information, including any homeowners, renters, or flood insurance policy and known coverage 
• Brief description of the damage and any losses
• Bank account and routing numbers if you choose direct deposit for any approved assistance

FEMA’s Individual Assistance program is designed to help survivors with basic, essential needs that are not covered by insurance or other sources. Depending on individual circumstances, assistance may include: 

• Temporary housing assistance for homeowners and renters who cannot live in their homes due to disaster damage 
• Basic home repairs to make a primary residence safe, sanitary, and functional
• Other needs assistance for necessary expenses like personal property, transportation, certain medical, dental, or childcare costs and other eligible disaster-related expenses

Assistance is not a replacement for insurance and is not intended to restore all losses. It is designed to help jump-start recovery by assisting with essential needs. FEMA is working closely with the State of Hawai‘i and local partners to help connect survivors with available support. 

U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans are available for homeowners, renters, businesses of any size and nonprofits. Like FEMA, Small Business Administration cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance.

Businesses and residents can apply on the Small Business Administration website. For questions and assistance in completing an application, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or call 800-659-2955.

Those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.