The SBA, FEMA, VA are ready to help victims of fires
With three agencies leading the way, the federal government is ready to help victims of the Maui fires rebuild. They are:
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has a special ‘Hawaii Wildfires’ section on its website with information on disaster loans and a button to apply for them. NFIB calls its members’ attention to one particular section:
— “Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.”
- The Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) has a Disaster Assistance link on its website, with this instruction: FEMA asks, “Please have the following information available when you apply:
— A phone number and a reliable alternate in case FEMA needs to call you back;
— Address of the damaged property;
— Social Security number;
— Bank account information or direct deposit information;
— Insurance information (if you have insurance);
— Brief description of damages (if known);
— A mailing address (mail for L?hain? residents is currently being held at the Wailuku Post Office);
— Pen and paper to write down your registration number.
— FEMA officials also advise that impacted individuals begin their insurance claims ASAP.”
- The Veterans Administration (VA) has this Disaster Assistance for Veterans page on its website.
