Homeowners and renters who have incurred damage or losses from the Kona Low flooding event that occurred March 10-24 have until June 14, 2026, to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance. The program provides financial aid and other assistance to eligible individuals and households to help meet their basic needs and supplement their flood recovery efforts.

FEMA may reimburse eligible applicants for temporary housing, home repairs to their primary home, personal property losses, medical expenses related to the disaster, childcare and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

Residents who have insurance should file insurance claims for damage to their homes, personal property and vehicles. FEMA assistance is not taxed and will not affect Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits. FEMA grants do not have to be repaid.

Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance:

▪ Online at DisasterAssistance.gov (fastest option).

▪ On the FEMA App

▪ By calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362.

▪ If you use a relay service, such as video relay, captioned telephone, or another service, please provide FEMA the number for that service. Phone support is available in many languages, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

▪ Visit a Local Recovery Center. Dates, times, and locations can be found at ready.hawaii.gov.

For an American Sign Language video on how to apply, visit FEMA Accessible: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance.

After You Apply

Residents who had damage and applied for FEMA assistance can expect a call, text or email from FEMA to schedule a home inspection to assess disaster damage. Please note: Phone calls from FEMA may come from an unfamiliar number. Inspectors may call multiple times but eventually will stop calling if there is no response. FEMA will send a decision on what benefits an applicant may receive in a Determination Letter by email or U.S. Postal Service.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans are available for homeowners, renters, businesses of any size and nonprofits. Like FEMA, SBA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. One Month Left to Apply for Federal Assistance

Learn more at fema.gov/disaster/4909 May 2026 2

The deadline to apply with the SBA is also June 14, 2026. Do not wait for a FEMA Determination Letter to apply for an SBA loan.

Businesses and residents can apply online at sba.gov/disaster. For questions and assistance in completing an application, or to have an application mailed to you call 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

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