KILAUEA — The in-person assistance program for the Kaua‘i 2021 Coronavirus Rental and Utility Assistance Program, this evening is especially important because the Kaua‘i Government Employees Federal Credit Union will have translators available to assist with Pacific Island languages.
“We want to reach as many people as we can who need the help,” said Chelsea Abbott, a KGEFCU spokesperson and Intake Officer for the KCRUP, Wednesday during the in-person assistance program held at the KGEFCU Kilauea Branch located in the Ahuimanu Shopping Center. “This in-person assistance program is one way we can reach and help people who do not have access to computers for the online application. We’re working hard to get help to as many people as possible.”
Since the start of the program earlier this month, KGEFCU has processed more than 1,000 applications, and Wednesday, more applications were added as there was a steady stream of people keeping the three Intake Officers occupied for most the morning at the Kilauea Branch.
“For the most part, these are all walk-in applicants,” Abbot said. “None of them had pre-appointments. They bring whatever documents they have available, and we try to make it work for them.”
The in-person assistance programs continue with two more scheduled for this week, the next one being Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Lihu‘e Neighborhood Center where translators will be available to help with the following languages: Yapese, Marshallese, Pohnpeian, Kosraean, and more.
On Saturday, in-person assistance will be available at the Pi‘ikoi Building, Lihu‘e Civic Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
People taking advantage of the service are reminded to bring the required documentation to the in-person assistance site. These documents are listed at www.KauaiRentHelp.com under the “Documents” tab.
In addition to the in-person assistance centers, applications can be done online at www.KauaiRentHelp.com/home.
The 2021 Coronavirus Rental and Utility program is designed to support individuals and families to cover essential costs of living expenses as the economy recovers in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Expenses eligible for assistance include rental arrears, future rent, and utilities in arrears for the period from March 2020 through December, 2021.
Households that have been impacted directly, or indirectly by the COVID-19 pandemic, and are past due on their rent and/or utilities are encouraged to apply for the program — either online, or in-person. There is no provision for mortgage assistance.
Individuals and families eligible for the program may receive up to $4,500 a month for rent, and no cap per month for qualifying utilities. Information is required from both tenants and landlords to complete the application.
