Can a Maui fire lawyer help you with FEMA applications?
Can a Maui fire lawyer help you
As residents of Hawaii’s Maui county struggle to recover from the deadly wildfires that decimated the town of Lahaina, many people may be confused about how to apply for federal aid. Thankfully, help is on the way for those who need it most. More than 1,000 federal personnel are now on the ground in the Hawaiian island, including teams of Disaster Survivor Assistance representatives who are reaching out to survivors where they live and helping them register for assistance. In addition to providing financial support, these teams are also identifying, removing and safely disposing of household hazardous waste to protect residents’ health and safety.
While the federal government offers a variety of assistance for individuals impacted by natural disasters, many low-income families do not have access to these resources. Fortunately, the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii is offering free civil legal assistance to low-income households affected by the Maui wildfires. The agency’s services include housing and consumer issues, FEMA claims and appeals, document replacement, and more.
The fires that devastated the tourist town of Lahaina and engulfed a wide area of the island in late August have killed at least 100 people and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses. The blazes were caused by a combination of factors, including extreme weather and lack of rainfall. According to the National Drought Monitor, 16 percent of the county was experiencing severe drought conditions at the time. These conditions created ideal conditions for fire ignition and spread.
Can a Maui fire lawyer help you with FEMA applications?
Some social media users are discouraging Hawaiians from seeking disaster relief, claiming that the Federal Emergency Management Agency can seize their properties if they accept aid. However, disaster recovery experts and Maui fire lawyers stress that accepting assistance does not grant the government authority to take private property. Moreover, they say that the rumors are misrepresenting federal law.
Among the aid that is available for homeowners, renters and small business owners in disaster-impacted areas are grants and loans to cover expenses that were not covered by insurance policies. These loans can be used to replace personal property, repair or replace vehicles and equipment like smoke detectors, or to pay for essential necessities such as clothing, food, and transportation costs.
FEMA also provides direct housing assistance to eligible survivors in limited circumstances. This can be a rental unit or other temporary housing solution, such as an RV or mobile home. The agency can also pay for essential tools and assistive equipment to help a survivor perform daily tasks. In addition to the above, survivors may be eligible for financial assistance to pay for moving and storage costs, child care, medical/dental, transportation, cleaning and repair, and funeral expenses.
Despite the efforts of the federal and state governments, the damage caused by the fires will be felt for years to come. As such, it is important that people who have been impacted by the fires seek legal help from experienced Maui fire lawyers. Davis Levin Livingston is one of the oldest and most successful plaintiffs’ firms in Hawaii, representing families, individuals and small businesses for more than 40 years.