State request to amend the existing Public Assistance program granted

PUNA – Those affected by the June 27 lava flow in Hawaii may be eligible for additional assistance from the federal government.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency today approved a state request to amend the existing Public Assistance program for “state, county, and certain private, non-profit entities with eligible costs from the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō lava flow. ”

The amendment to President Obama’s Nov. 3, 2014 disaster declaration adds debris management and permanent work to repair infrastructure as categories of eligible work, FEMA reported in a Wednesday media release.

Eligible entities must submit requests for Public Assistance through the state within 30 calendar days from the date of the amendment in accordance with Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 206.202(c). State, county, and certain private, non-profit entities that have suffered damages or have debris resulting from the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō lava flow are encouraged to submit an application through the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA), formerly known as State Civil Defense. FEMA media release on Mar. 4, 2015

For additional information or to submit a completed application, e-mail HI-EMA at
AskCivilDefense@scd.hawaii.gov.

Yesterday, Hawaii Gov. David Ige signed a supplemental emergency proclamation extending the emergency period for the lava flow.