LIHU'E – Kaua'i County officials announced that federal funding assistance for losses from the mid-December storms and flooding on Kaua'i is limited to government and nonprofit agencies on a cost-sharing basis.

"I'd like to clarify that only state and county government and certain nonprofit agencies that provide services normally performed by government agencies are eligible for FEMA assistance for Dec. 10 to 16 storm-related damages," said Mark Marshall, Kaua'i Civil Defense administrator.

He said that Kaua'i did not meet the threshold required for individual assistance from the federal government for damages caused by the mid-December storms.

At least 153 homes would have needed to be destroyed or suffer major damage in order for individuals to qualify for FEMA recovery programs, Marshall said.

"Similarly, 25 homes needed to be destroyed or have suffered major damage for businesses to qualify for Small Business Administration (SBA) loans."

However, Kaua'i residents who sustained damages to their real property as a result of the Dec. 10 to 16 storms can file a claim for remission of taxes on their real property.

Forms are available at the Department of Finance – Real Property Assessment, Lihu'e Civic Center, Kapule Building, 4444 Rice St., or by logging on to the county Web site, www.kauai.gov.

The deadline to file a claim for disaster relief is Feb. 16, or within 60 days of

the disaster, whichever is later.

For more information about the remission of taxes on real property, call the Real Property Assessment office at 808-241-6222.

For disaster recovery information, call the Kaua'i Civil Defense Agency at 808-241-1800.