FAQ: Preparing for the Potential Conclusion of FEMA Assistance on February 28, 2026

FEMA News Release Number: FS-063

Release Date: January 7, 2026

FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program provides temporary housing and financial assistance to Maui wildfire survivors. Currently, the program is set to conclude on February 28, 2026. The program was initially approved for 18 months following the wildfire and was subsequently extended at the request of the State of Hawai‘i through February 28, 2026. The State of Hawai‘i requested an additional year of assistance, which, if approved, would extend the program through February 10, 2027. A decision on this extension request is currently under FEMA review. 

Q&A: Preparing for the Potential Conclusion of FEMA Assistance on February 28, 2026

Q.Has the State of Hawaiʻi requested an extension of FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program beyond February 28, 2026, and is a decision pending?

A. FEMA’s Direct Temporary Housing Assistance and financial assistance is currently approved until February 28, 2026. The State of Hawaiʻi requested an extension for the Individuals and Households Program for an additional 12 months. The request is currently under FEMA review.

Q. What happens if FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program is not extended beyond February 28, 2026? 

A. If the Individuals and Households Program extension is not approved, all assistance under the program will end on February 28, 2026. 

 At that time:

All financial assistance will cease.
FEMA Direct Housing units must be vacated without exception, including:

Direct Lease units
The Kilohana temporary group housing site
Private site units
Secondary site units

Q. When will households be notified by FEMA if the program is not extended beyond February 28, 2026?    

A. FEMA will provide advance notice of the program’s end date as soon as possible.

Q. If FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program is not extended can households in FEMA Direct Housing remain in their FEMA units?    

A. No. If FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program is not extended after February 28, 2026, all FEMA Direct Housing units must be vacated without exception. 

 This includes:

Direct Lease units
The Kilohana temporary group housing site
Private site units
Secondary site units

Q. If FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program is not extended, how much time will households have to vacate their FEMA temporary housing units?   

A. All wildfire survivors still residing in FEMA temporary housing units will receive notice, prior to February 28, 2026, informing them that they must vacate their FEMA temporary housing unit by or before February 28, 2026. 

Q. Will households in FEMA temporary housing units be responsible for paying rent until FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program ends?

A. Yes. All wildfire survivors still residing in FEMA temporary housing units are responsible for paying monthly rent through February 28, 2026. Late payments will incur a fee equal to the unit’s Fair Market Rent (FMR) plus penalties for property management, maintenance inspections, furnishings, and utilities. Occupants are required to vacate the unit by or before February 28, 2026.

Q. Where can survivors receiving FEMA Direct Temporary Housing Assistance or Financial Assistance direct further questions?   

A. Survivors can contact the following resources for assistance:

Direct Housing Occupants: Contact your FEMA Recertification Advisor.
Financial Assistance Recipients: Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362.

###

FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters.

English is the official language of the United States of America. The original English version of this document serves as the authoritative source for this information.

Follow FEMA online, on X @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol, on FEMA’s Facebook page or Espanol page and at FEMA's YouTube account. For preparedness information follow the Ready Campaign on X at @Ready.gov, on Instagram @Ready.gov or on the Ready Facebook page.