The action comes following requests from Hawaii’s congressional delegation.

In response to a recent letter from U.S. Sens. Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz and U.S. Reps. Jill Tokuda and Ed Case, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said it will reopen enrollment for the Individuals and Households Program to include Compacts of Free Association citizens impacted by the Maui wildfires.

The Individuals and Households Program is one of the FEMA disaster response programs that have been used to support Maui communities “as they continue to recover after the devastating wildfires.”

That comes from a press release issued Friday from Hirono’s office.

FEMA says it will reopen enrollment for the Individuals and Households Program to include Compacts of Free Association citizens impacted by the Maui wildfires. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023)

The IHP provides financial and direct services to eligible individuals and households impacted by a disaster, according to Hirono’s office.

According to FEMA, the assistance may include financial assistance for temporary housing; a temporary housing unit; funds to support repair or replacement of homes; hazard mitigation assistance; or funds for uninsured or under-insured disaster-caused expenses.

Earlier this month, the United States formally agreed to send $7.1 billion in aid to COFA nations — the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia — in a bill that also allows Micronesian migrants in the U.S. to access federal assistance programs for the first time in decades.

“As recovery efforts on Maui continue, we are glad to see FEMA reopen IHP enrollment for COFA citizens who have been impacted by the devastating wildfires,” the delegation said in a joint statement Friday. “COFA citizens are valuable members of our communities, which is why we fought to restore their eligibility for federal benefits, including FEMA support. FEMA’s decision will unlock critical assistance for those COFA citizens impacted by the fires.”

The delegation added: “We appreciate the Biden Administration’s responsiveness to our request, and the ongoing support they are providing to help Maui’s families recover and rebuild.”

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