The Maui News

Maui wildfire survivors who want to seek financial assistance through the American Red Cross must register by today.

Options to register include visiting the Family Assistance Center on Maui at the Lahaina Civic Center or by calling (800) RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to speak to a Red Cross representative, according to an email from the state Department of Human Services.

Red Cross financial assistance is separate from the help the organization provides for shelter.

The Red Cross financial assistance program allows people to make their own decisions and prioritize what their family needs most to start recovering, the email said.

A representative from the Red Cross will be at the Kahana Gateway Shopping Center and at 115 S. Wakea Ave. in Kahului to assist with registration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.

To be eligible for the Red Cross financial assistance program, households must meet these three requirements:

• Your pre-disaster primary residence (renter or homeowner) is in a confirmed disaster-impacted geographic area in Maui County and is either destroyed or has sustained significant structural damage that requires extensive repairs, or the damage is so extensive that repairs are not feasible.

• You must be able to provide proof of identity and residence.

• You must apply between August 28, 2023 through today.

The Red Cross asks that people also apply for federal Disaster Assistance at disasterassistance.gov or by calling (800) 621-3362. However, approval for FEMA assistance is not a requirement to receive the Red Cross financial assistance.