In response to the COVID-19 crisis, our local non profits, community leaders, and local/state government have mobilized resources to support the most essential needs in our county. Some of those resources are listed here, including programs for everyone, from kupuna to keiki.
Remember to check for updates on each program as benefits may expand or reduce anytime.
Housing
Homeowners
• Government-guaranteed mortgages such as FHA, USDA, VA, HUD Sec 184, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac, are eligible for interest and penalty-free forbearance (payments can be paused) for at least 6 months and up to one year with no penalty.
Shelters
• Houseless Hawai‘i residents must shelter in place or stay in the Emergency Shelter provided by Kaua‘i Economic Opportunity. Info: 808-245-4077
If houseless Hawai‘i residents wish to shelter in place at a County campground:
• They are allowed to stay at Anini, Anahola, Lydgate, Salt Pond, or Lucy Wright parks. County officials are issuing required free permits to those who qualify.
• Must abide by the County stay-at-home order, respect park facilities, and maintain social distancing at all times.
• Call first as some parks are already at capacity. 808-241-4460
• YWCA provides emergency shelter for people experiencing domestic or sexual violence. 808-245-5959
Renters
During the COVID-19 crisis:
• Increasing rent is prohibited.
• No evictions for failure to pay rents, leases,or other related charges, such as maintenance fees, utilities, and taxes.
Public housing, Section 8, USDA rural housing, or Low Income Housing Tax Credits program are eligible under the CARES Act for:
• No evictions from March 27 to July 25.
• After July 15, renters will be responsible for making payments.
Assistance
• To check eligibility for forbearance or rent moratorium, contact a HUD approved housing counselor at 800-569-4287 or Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i at 1-800-499-4302
• Catholic Charities can help with costs such as rent, security deposit, or utilities. Call 808-241-4673
• OHA’s Emergency Assistance – Kahiau Program supports mortgage payment, rent deposit, rent payment, & utility services for Native Hawaiians. www.Hawaiiancouncil.org/kahiau or call 808-784-4464
Utilities
Service providers are willing to waive late fees and maintain service for those affected by the pandemic. Contact each one directly to find out your options.
• Sewer will waive the fee for online payment. Info: 808-241-4082
• Kaua‘i Water Dept will waive late fees. Info: 808-245-5400
• Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) will suspend service disconnections. Info: 808-246-4300
• AmeriGas will suspend late fees and disconnections through May 18. Info: 1-800-263-74427
• HawaiiGas will offer payment plans and not discontinue services. Info: 808-245-3301
• Spectrum will waive late fees and not terminate services. Info: 855-273-7629
• AT&T will waive late fees or data overage charges. Info: 1-800-288-2020
• Verizon Wireless will not charge a late fees or terminate services through June 30. Info: 800-922-0204
Assistance
• The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can provide support for electric or gas bills. Contact KEO at keo@keoinc.org or 808-245-4077
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) can provide monthly cash benefits to families for food, shelter, and other essentials. Info: 1-855-643-1643
• ModestNeeds.org provides grants to assist those at risk for homelessness. Apply online www.modestneeds.org/forapplicants/apply-for-help.asp or call 844-667-3776
• Queen Liliuokalani Trust provides kokua through one-time emergency financial assistance for those Native Hawaiian families who qualify. Info: 808-466-8102
Unemployment
The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) is supporting impacted Hawai‘i workers to access the benefits they are eligible for. Call 833-901-2275.
• Apply for Unemployment Compensation (UC) online http://labor.Hawaii.gov/ui/
• You may also qualify if your work hours have been cut or reduced to zero but you are still employed.
• For those self-employed or who are not usually eligible for UC, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) is receiving applications online http://pua.Hawaii.gov
• The CARES Act provides an additional $600 per week for beneficiaries through July 31.
Financial Institutions
Banks and unions are willing to loan deferral with extensions for credits and/or personal, auto, and mortgage loans.
• Bank of Hawaii: 808-694-1500
• First Hawaiian Bank: 808-844-4444
• American Savings Bank:808-846-4645
• Wells Fargo Bank: 1-800-869-3557
• Bank of America: 1-800-432-1000
Childcare and Children’s Programs
• For those working in essential services, the local agency for childcare resources and referrals can help you find affordable options. Contact PATCH (People Attentive to Children)and leave a message with your phone number. mkelley@patch-hi.org or call 808-246-0622
• Child Care Connection Hawai‘i offers subsidy programs for families meeting the income eligibility requirements. Info:808-245-2193 or visit humanservices.Hawaii.gov/bessd/ccchsubsidies/
• The Early Intervention program supports the development of infants from birth to 3 years of age. Contact Easter Seals Kaua‘i at 808-245-7141
• In Peace can help families complete subsidy and unemployment forms laciec@inpeace.org. Info: 808-245-0045
Mental and Behavioral Health
It is common to feel stressed or anxious during this time, but even when you don’t have full control of a situation, there are things you can do:
• Choose one or two trusted sources for COVID-19 and check them just once or twice a day.
Follow healthy daily routines as much as possible:
• Even simple actions such as making your bed, keeping a schedule, and making time for breaks can make a difference.
• Take care of yourself through exercise and movement.
• Maintain your social networks and stay connected.
• Do meaningful things with your free time: read a book, learn a new skill, take an online course, volunteer, do tasks around your home, etc.
Resources
• Child & Adolescent: Kaua‘i Family Guidance Center’s Care Coordinators provide case management services as part of a clinical team with CAMHD psychologists and psychiatrists. 808-274-3883
• Adult Mental Health: Case and medication management. For information regarding eligibility and service:808-643-2643
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. Online CHAT and options for Deaf & Hard of Hearing available:1-800-73-8255
• If you or someone you love are experiencing COVID-19 related emotional or mental health issues, call 1-800-753 6879 or text the word “ALOHA” to 741741 for support.
• Call 211 – Aloha United Way (AUW) for more information on food, shelter, financial assistance, parenting support, elderly care, disability services, & more. If your questions can’t be answered by AUW, please call KEMA at 808-241-1800.
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Information provided by the American Red Cross.
