Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 40, Number 11, 1 November 2023 — E NHLC... [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

E NHLC...

_V E NINAU IA NHLC V ^ ASK THE NATIVE HAWAIIAN LEGAL CORPORATION *

By Makalika Naholowaa, NHLC Executive Director FEMA recently announced an extension of time to applyfor aid. The new deadline for FEMA applications is Thursday, November 9. In our Oc-

tober article we answered questions about whether to apply for aid and concerns people have about EEMA. You ean find that article at www.kawaiola.news. Many families have applied and have questions about what happens next. This month we are providing information about next steps. Anyone affected is also weleome to eall NHLC ifyou have other questions. After I applied, I never heard back from FEMA. What should I do? FEMA will send you a letter notifying you of their deeision in response to your applieation for aid. They will deliver the letter the way that you requested when you applied. That eould be physieal mail or by email. If you have not reeeived a letter, then you ean ereate an electronic account online at DisasterAssistance.gov. When FEMA sends you correspondence, it will also be uploaded to your online aecount. As long as you register online, you ean eheek for letters from FEMA there. You should eheek ff equently when you are waiting for a FEMA response, in case you do not receive your physical mail or email. If you need help setting up your FEMA account online, or if you are not able to create an online account, you ean talk to a FEMA agent. FEMA agents ean look up your account and tell you the status. They ean also answer questions about next steps. FEMA ean be contacted by phone at 1-800-621-3362 or in person at locations where FEMA is available, including at the Lahaina Civic Center. I applied to FEMA and got a letter that said I was not approved. What should I do now? If FEMA denies your request for aid, they will issue a letter. The letter will tell you the reasons for the refusal and explain what they need ffom you if there is an opportunity for you to request that FEMA reconsider your application. The letter will also include the deadline to respond. If you reply requesting that FEMA reconsider, that is called a FEMA Appeal. You should

reply by the deadline and provide FEMA with the information they request. Can I have help with my FEMA appeal? If you need help with the appeal, there are resources available. You do not have to do it yourself. You ean seek legal assistance. The Hawai'i State Bar Association may be able to direct you to pro bono attorneys. The Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation (NHLC) is supporting families needing help with FEMA appeals pro bono (at no fee). You ean contact NHLC at 808-521-2302 to request help with your FEMA appeal. My appeal was not successful. Should I try again? Yes. FEMA must consider your first appeal as long as you submit it by the deadline in your denial letter. FEMA may, at its discretion, consider late appeals or additional appeals. If you need to make a late appeal, or an additional appeal after your first, you may benefit from legal assistance with your appeal. Where ean I learn more and apply for FEMA? FEMA information and an online way to apply are available at www.disasterassistance.gov/. You ean also find FEMA's information page for Maui here: www.fema. gov/disaster/4724. Guidance and information for Maui is being frequently updated. FEMA, NHLC, and numerous other legal providers are also regularly stafhng the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement's Kāko'o Maui Resource Center at Maui Mall. ■ E Nīnau iā NHLC provides general information about the law. E Nīnau iā NHLC is not legal advice. You ean contact NHLC about your legal needs by calling NHLC's offices at 808-521-2302. You ean also learn more about NHLC at nativehawaiianlegalcorp.org. The Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation (NHLC) is a nonprofit law firm dedicated to the advancement and protection of Native Hawaiian identity and culture. Eaeh month, NHLC attorneys will answer questions from readers about legal issues relating to Native Hawaiian rights and protections, including issues regarding housing, land, water, and traditional and cultural practice. You ean submit questions at NinauNHLC@nhlchi. org.