Federal 

 

​Mortgage Payment Forbearance

 

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides relief for homeowners with government-guaranteed mortgages. Homeowners with mortgages backed by the FHA, USDA, VA, HUD Section 184a, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac are eligible for loan forbearance for up to one year without fees, penalties, or additional interest.

Homeowners who are facing a financial hardship, either directly or indirectly, from the coronavirus may receive the forbearance by submitting a request to their servicer stating they are experiencing a hardship related to the virus. The forbearance will be granted for 180 days and may be extended for up to another 180 days at the borrower's request.

Homeowners in need of the forbearance should reach out to their mortgage servicers as soon as possible or contact a HUD approved housing counselor. Contact information for a homeowner’s mortgage servicer can be found in monthly mortgage statements or coupon book. The nearest housing counselor can be found at www.consumerfinance.gov/find-a-housing-counselor or by calling (800) 569-4287.

 

Foreclosure Relief

 

Homeowners with FHA, USDA, VA, or Section 184 or 184A mortgages, or mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, who are facing foreclosure will also have relief from foreclosure or being forced to relocate as we address the COVID-19 pandemic. The foreclosure eviction moratorium is in effect until May 17, 2020.

Renters in properties with federally-guaranteed loans or participating in federal housing programs

 

Eviction Moratorium for Renters

 

Until July 26, 2020, property owners are prohibited from filing for eviction against or charging any fees for unpaid rent and fees to a tenant in properties with federally-guaranteed loans or participating in federal housing programs. Property owners must also issue a notice to tenants to vacate 30 days before an eviction and the notice to vacate cannot be issued during this 120-day period.

This protection covers properties that receive federal subsidies such as public housing, Section 8 assistance, USDA rural housing programs, and Low Income Housing Tax Credits, as well as properties that have a mortgage issued or guaranteed by a federal agency (including FHA and USDA) or Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

Additionally, owners of multifamily buildings with federal loans in forbearance may not evict tenants for unpaid rent or charge late fees or penalties until the loan exits forbearance.

Renters seeking information on whether they are covered by the moratorium should contact Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i or a HUD approved housing counselor. You can find the nearest housing counselor here or by calling (800) 569-4287.

 

State

 

​Applications being accepted for SBA economic injury disaster loan program

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The U.S. Small Business Administration has activated the economic injury disaster loan program for eligible small businesses (excluding farms and ranches) and nonprofits in the State of Hawai‘i. Refer to this factsheet for more information and visit disasterloan.sba.gov to apply. Hawai‘i Small Business Development Center (SBDC) personnel are available to assist with preparation of loan applications. Visit the Hawai‘i SBDC website to find contact information for a service center in your area.

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Micro Business Loan Program
The Micro Business Loan Program provides 5-year loans of $7,500 to $15,000 and 7-year loans of $15,001
to $25,000 to help businesses with no more than 10 employees, including owners and full- and part-time
workers. For eligibility requirements, loan criteria, and application form:
http://www.mauichamber.com/microbusinessloan.html
Maui Chamber of Commerce
Tel: (808) 244-0081.
Email: info@mauichamber.com
Web: mauichamber.com

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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP (formerly known as "food stamps") provides food and nutritional support to qualifying low-income
and needy households. Clients use an EBT debit card to access their cash and/or SNAP benefits at
authorized food retailers. Recipients receiving cash assistance may also choose to have their benefits
directly deposited into their personal bank accounts. Due to COVID-19, SNAP offices are closed to the
public, but applications are now available online. Once your application is received, you will be contacted
by phone.
Application Form:
https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd/files/2020/03/SNAPApplication2019-form-fillable-3-23-20-
final-1.pdf

If you are applying for the first time, use the digital fillable/printable application form above or on the
Department of Human Services website.

Once complete, if you are able to place your signature on the page, you may scan or take a photo of the
application and send it as an attachment to this email address: BESSD.StatewideBranch@dhs.hawaii.gov.

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If you cannot e-sign and send as an attachment, you may print out the completed form then mail, fax, or
place in the drop box at a processing center:
 

Maui Public Assistance​​​

Located at the State Building in Wailuku

Mailing Address:

54 High Street #125

Wailuku, HI 96793

Phone: (808) 984-8300

Fax: (808) 984-8333

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Molokai Unit

Located at 55 Makaena Place, Room 1

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 70

Kaunakakai, HI 96748

Phone: (808) 553-1715

Fax: (808) 553-1720

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Lanai Unit

Located at 730 Lanai Avenue

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 631374

Lanai City, HI 96763

Phone: (808) 565-7102

Fax:(808) 565-6460

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Current SNAP Recipients (COVID-19 Adjustments):

• SNAP certification periods for recipients requiring 6-month review or eligibility reviews during March, April, and May will be extended an additional 6 months to ensure no lapse in benefits due to COVID-19. A notice with more details will be sent to your last known address on file.
• The work or education/training requirement has also been waived until further notice.
• Please check this website frequently for more info and updates:
https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd/snap/

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Maui County Keiki and Kuouna Food Access Resources
Click here for a poster listing Department of Education (DOE) grab-and-go meals for keiki and special
shopping hours for kupuna.

Hawaii Children's Action Network (CAN) COVID Resources
Visit covidl9.hawaii-can.org/ and select "category" (for example, food, childcare, shelters) and "location"
(Maui) for an updated list of resources.

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Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL)
DHHL loans are currently being deferred for 6 months. No application is necessary. All qualified loans will
automatically be deferred, beginning with the April 2020 payment. For more info, visit
dhhl.hawaii.gov/covid-19 or call (808) 620-9500.

County

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Hawaii Emergency Laulima Partnership (H.E.L.P.) program now accepting applications

The County of Maui allocated $2 million in general funds to the program to assist families with members who have lost jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The H.E.L.P. program offers financial assistance for Maui County residents with essential needs such as food, personal hygiene, medicine, rent, mortgage, utility services, phone or internet services, car payments, and other necessities. The program is being administered through a partnership with Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. (MEO).

​

To qualify, individuals must show:

• 25 percent or more reduction in income after March 4, 2020,

• Have less than $5,000 in liquid assets.

 

Application guidelines and a list of other required supporting documentation can be found online at www.meoinc.org.

Applications can be submitted online or at one of the secured drop boxes located at:

• Front parking lot of the MEO office at 99 Mahalani Street, Wailuku

• Front entrance of the Kalana O Maui (County) Building in Wailuku

Molokai and Lanai community members may submit applications online or at their local MEO office:

• Molokai: 380 Kolapa Place, Kaunakakai

• Lanai: 1144 Ilima #102, Lanai City

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If you do not have access to internet, please call 249-2990 or 249-2980 and an application can be mailed to you.

 

​Reimbursement funding available for Moloka‘i farmers and ranchers

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The County of Maui Office of Economic Development is accepting applications from eligible farmers and ranchers on Moloka‘i seeking reimbursement for expenses related to compliance with federal and state food safety regulations. Reimbursements will not exceed $5,000 per applicant. The deadline to apply is Monday, June 1. Application instructions and forms are available on the agency’s website. Contact Kuhaʻo Business Center at 808-553-8100 for assistance.

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MEO COVID-19 Food and Rental Assistance

To ensure hardworking individuals and families are able to obtain necessary food and/or maintain their current living situation, MEO will assist individuals and families experiencing financial hardship due to layoffs or a reduction in hours associated with COVID-19. Click the link below for the form and further instructions. The form and all associated documents can be emailed to info@meoinc.org or sent to Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. P.O. Box 2122 Kahului, HI 96733.

Click here to download the COVID-19 Food and Rental Assistance form

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Farmers Emergency Relief Fund
Maui County Farm Bureau (MCFB) will award ten $2000 grants to individual farm MCFB members. The
program is for commercial producers only in livestock, produce, flowers, and nursery products. Funds
may be used to pay for any direct cost related to ag operations, except for payroll expenses. The deadline
to apply is April 26. The grants will be awarded on May 1.
Application Form:
http://www.mauicountyfarmbureau.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/FEED-MAUI.pdf
Maui County Farm Bureau
Tel: (808) 281-9718
Email: mauicountyfarmbureau@gmail.com

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Private

 

Emergency financial assistance grant available for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries

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The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is accepting applications for the Kahiau Community Assistance Program. This funding program provides one-time emergency financial assistance up to $2,000 to Native Hawaiian beneficiaries facing hardship due to an unexpected crisis. Visit hawaiiancouncil.org/kahiau for more information and to apply.

 

Hawai‘i Community Foundation establishes Hawai‘i Resilience Fund

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Hawaiʻi Community Foundation and Pierre and Pam Omidyar have joined together to create the Hawaiʻi Resilience Fund to rapidly deploy resources and encourage community giving to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonprofit organizations should email grants@hcf-hawaii.org to request assistance in the form of a grant award from this fund. Visit hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/coronavirus for more information.

 

Funding assistance available for restaurant workers

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Restaurant Opportunities Center United offers funding assistance and resources to restaurant workers impacted by the coronavirus crisis. Visit rocunited.org/relief to learn more and apply.

 

Emergency financial relief available for bartenders

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U.S. Bartenders Guild is accepting requests for assistance from eligible bartenders who have been impacted by the coronavirus crisis. Visit the usbgfoundation.org/beap to learn more and apply.