** NEW ** EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT PROGRAM
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will provide discounts to low-income households of $50 to $75 per month for broadband service and equipment rentals, plus one-time discounts of $100 for a computer, laptop, or tablet. For more information, to check if you qualify, or to enroll online or by mail:
Emergency Broadband Support Center
Tel: (808) 984-8400 | 3pm – 3am (7 days/week)
Email: EBBHelp@usac.org
As of 2/20/21. All dates listed are for 2020, unless otherwise noted.
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE (UI) BENEFITS
Have you experienced a job loss or reduced hours? File for an unemployment claim online at huiclaims.hawaii.gov. For help, contact the UI call center at (833) 901-2275.
Maui Claims and Benefits Office
Tel: (808) 984-8400
Fax: (808) 984-8444
Email: dlir.ui.maui@hawaii.gov
Web: labor.hawaii.gov/ui or pua.hawaii.gov/
For more info on COVID-19 related labor benefits, including Temporary Disability, Workers’ Compensation, and Family Leave:
https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/files/2020/03/COVID-19-Labor-Benefits-Fact-Sheet_20200319.pdf
STIMULUS PAYMENTS
Visit irs.gov/coronavirus for more info on COVID-19 related tax relief and benefits.
SUPPORT FOR FARMERS AND RANCHERS
Farm and Ranch Continuity Program
Provides grant reimbursements for allowable expenses that occurred between April 1 – November 20, 2020, including farmland rent or mortgage, farm utilities, seeds and plants, equipment and vehicle repairs, livestock feed and more. For more qualifications and to apply:
http://www.mauichamber.com/maui-county-farm–ranch-continuity-program.html
Agriculture Micro Grant Program
Provides grants of up to $25,000 to small local farmers. For more info, email bdcinfo@meoinc.org or call (808) 249-2990 and ask for David Daly.
Rancher Assistance Partnership Program
Partnership with local ranchers and Feed My Sheep to provide ground beef to people in need. Interested ranchers may call (808) 281-1723 and ask for Brendan Balthazar.
USDA Assistance for Farmers
USDA has a COVID-19 resources webpage with information on programs and services for farmers, including disaster relief and loan programs: farmers.gov/coronavirus
Help for Farmers, Agriculture Businesses, and Their Employees
The office of U.S. Senator Brian Schatz has compiled a list of resources with updated information: www.schatz.senate.gov/coronavirus/agriculture
SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT
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
Small Business Mortgage and Rent Relief
Provides mortgage or rent payments directly to commercial lender or lessor. Applications taken on a first-come, first-served basis. For eligibility requirements, loan criteria, and application form:
http://www.mauichamber.com/small-business-mortgage–rent-relief.html
Small Business Administration Programs
The SBA Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.
For more info on Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, Debt Relief, Express Bridge Loans, other Coronavirus relief options from the SBA:
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options
Small Business Development Center (Maui Office)
Tel: (808) 875-5990
Fax: (808) 875-5989
Email: info@hisbdc.org
Web: hisbdc.org or sba.gov
STUDENT LOANS
Contact your loan service provider (the entity you make monthly payments to), or call 1-800-433-3243 if you need assistance.
Visit https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/coronavirus for more info on student loans.
STATE ID, LICENSE & VEHICLE REGISTRATION
Maui County DMV
Tel: (808) 270-7363
Email: maui.dmv@mauicounty.gov
Web: mauicounty.gov/1328/Motor-Vehicle-Licensing
- Division of Motor Vehicles and Licensing (DMV) offices are open for limited services.
- TSA is accepting licenses and IDs that expired on or after March 1, 2020 for up to one year.
- REAL ID deadline is extended to October 1, 2021. For more info: gov/real-id
UTILITY SERVICES AND FEE WAIVERS
If you have an outstanding account with the Board of Water Supply (BWS), please contact their customer service team at (808) 748-50 to set up a payment plan.
If you are having trouble paying your electric bill because of COVID-19, you are encouraged to submit a payment arrangement request form online. For more info: www.hawaiianelectric.com/hawaiian-electrics-response-to-covid-19/covid-19-faq
FOOD RESOURCES
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP (formerly known as “food stamps”) provides food support to qualifying low-income and needy households. Clients use an EBT debit card to access their SNAP or cash benefits at authorized food retailers. Clients 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 can be submitted online.
Application Form:
Online https://pais-benefits.dhs.hawaii.gov/
PDF https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd/files/2020/02/SNAP_Application_2019.pdf
For more info: https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd/snap/
To contact public assistance processing centers by phone:
| Maui Unit – Wailuku Phone: 808-984-8300 |
Molokai Unit: Kaunakakai Phone: 808-553-1715 |
Lanai Unit: Lanai City Phone: 808-565-7102 |
Maui County Keiki and Kupuna 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 covid19.hawaii-can.org/ and select “category” (for example, food, childcare, shelters) and “location” (Maui) for an updated list of resources.
Maui Food Bank
Visit mauifoodbank.org or call (808) 243-9500 for a current list of food distribution locations.
Feed My Sheep
Operates a mobile food distribution program at locations listed below. For more info, visit feedmysheepmaui.com or call (808) 870-9421 or 872-9100.
| Lahaina | Thursdays, 10:30am – 11:45am | Corner of Dickenson Street & Wainee Street |
| Wailuku | Fridays, 10:30am – 11:30am | Living Way Church parking lot399 N. Market Street |
| Kahului | Saturdays, 9:30am – 12:00pm | 150 S. Puunene Avenue, next to Kahului Post Office |
| Kihei | Saturdays, 10:30am – 12:00pm | Hope Chapel parking lot, 300 E. Welakahao Road |
| Hana | Last Wednesday of Each Month, 4:30pm – 5:30pm | Wananalua Congregational Church, Hana Highway |
WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children)
WIC benefits are available for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk. For more info, call your nearest WIC clinic: https://health.hawaii.gov/wic/clinic-locations/
HOUSING ASSISTANCE
State of Hawaii Rent Relief Housing Assistance Program (RRHAP)
Provides rental assistance up to $1,500 per month. For more info, visit hihousinghelp.com.
KHAKO Rental Assistance Program
Provides direct rental assistance payments and other services to residents at risk of becoming homeless due to a temporary lack of financial resources. For more info, call Ka Hale A Ke Ola at (808) 446‑8129.
Catholic Charities Maui
Provides housing assistance and emergency financial assistance for families facing financial hardship, along with other services. For more info, call (808) 873-4673.
Family Life Center Maui
Provides rental assistance to residents with job or income loss due to COVID-19. Income limits apply. For more info, call (808) 877-0880.
Women Helping Women
If you or someone you know needs shelter, rental assistance, or other help due to domestic violence, call the 24-Hour Hotline at (808) 579-9581 – or in an emergency call 911.
Kahiau Community Assistance Program (KCAP)
Provides one-time emergency financial assistance (up to $1500) to Native Hawaiian beneficiaries facing hardship due to an unexpected crisis. For more info, call the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement at (808) 784-4464.
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL)
For info on available relief for DHHL beneficiaries, visit dhhl.hawaii.gov/covid-19 or call (808) 620-9500.
Assistance for Renters & Homeowners
For info on assistance for renters, contact Legal Aid Society of Hawaii at 1-800-499-4302, or find your nearest housing counselor by calling (800) 569-4287.
For homeowners, many of Hawaii’s banks are offering forbearance programs, extensions, foreclosure relief, and other mortgage assistance due to COVID-19. Contact your bank or lender for more info.
OTHER ASSISTANCE
Maui Rescue Mission
Provides support and weekly outreach to the homeless, including a mobile hygiene unit (equipped with showers) at locations listed below. For more info, call (808) 727-9008.
| Lahaina | Wednesdays, 10am – 12pm | Lahaina Baptist Church |
| Kahului | Thursdays, 10am – 12pm | Kanaha Beach Park |
| Wailuku | Fridays, 10am – 12pm | Living Way Church |
| Kihei | Saturdays, 10am – 12pm | Hope Chapel |
Aloha United Way – Call 211
Call 211 for specialists to help you find food, shelter, financial assistance, childcare, and more.
Public Assistance Information Line – Call 1-855-643-1643
Hawaii Department of Human Services operates a nationwide toll-free number for those seeking public assistance, including SNAP, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), and General Assistance.
MORE INFO ON COVID-19
Maui County Office of the Mayor
Tel: (808) 270-7855
Email: Mayors.Office@co.maui.hi.us
Web: mauicounty.gov
- Maui County Administration’s COVID-19 webpage
https://www.mauicounty.gov/2370/COVID-19-Coronavirus-Information
- Maui County Office of Economic Development website with COVID-19 info and resources for residents and businesses
- Office of U.S. Senator Brian Schatz website with a compilation of resources related to COVID-19
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/coronavirus
- Office of Hawaiian Affairs COVID-19 resources
- Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH)
- Sign up for email updates from DOH
https://health.hawaii.gov/news/covid-19-updates/
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- World Health Organization (WHO)
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
