LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF HAWAI‘I
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​INCREASED ELIGIBILITY OF COFA MIGRANTS FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC BENEFITS PROGRAMS IN THE STATE OF HAWAI‘I

​Under the Compact of Free Association (COFA), Citizens of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau have the right to live and work in the United States. On March 9, 2024, federal legislation restored full public benefits for COFA migrants living in the United States. These are in areas related to health insurance, unemployment, FEMA disaster relief, subsidized housing including Section 8 rental assistance, SNAP, WIC, Social Security disability and retirement, and state financial assistance.

​Download the PDF to read more.
increased_eligibility_for_cofa_migrants.pdf
File Size: 158 kb
File Type: pdf
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Homeland Security will accept an unexpired passport and I-94 record as proof of identity and lawful presence for citizens of the Freely Associated States under the REAL ID Act. 

"Homeland Security will accept an unexpired passport and I-94 record as proof of identity and lawful presence for citizens of the Freely Associated States under the REAL ID Act. New policy goes into effect 09/04/2019. This means citizens of the Freely Associated States do not need an Employment Authorization Document to obtain a driver's license or state ID."
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/09/04/2019-19024/designation-of-real-id-identity-documents-for-citizens-of-the-freely-associated-states-unexpired

Important documents for citizens of the Freely Associated States

important_documents_for_citizens_of_the_freely_associated_states__english_.pdf
File Size: 533 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

important_documents_for_citizens_of_the_freely_associated_states__chuukese_.pdf
File Size: 566 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

important_documents_for_citizens_of_the_freely_associated_states__marshallese__.pdf
File Size: 536 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Employment Authorization Document

Citizens of the Freely Associated States may apply for a work permit, or Employment Authorization Document, with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS") for free.  The application is called the Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.  Please click on the link below to access the application on www.USCIS.gov.  You cannot apply in person.  Residents of Hawaii must mail their applications to USCIS Phoenix Lockbox, P.O. Box 21281, Phoenix, AZ 85036.  The application, including renewals, is free for Citizens of the Freely Associated States.  
Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization

Presentation for Service Providers

Please contact HIJC Managing Attorney Rebecca Leibowitz at (808)380-5236 or [email protected] if you would like to host a legal workshop.  We've provided training for service providers and community groups, including Nations of Micronesia, Parents and Children Together, and West Hawaii Community Health Center.  

Language Access

​You have the right to be informed of or participate in and benefit from services, programs, and activities offered by Federal or State government agencies and organizations that receive money from the Federal or State government, even if you cannot speak, read, write or understand English well. Under language access law, when people who have trouble with English use these services, programs and activities, the government agencies and government funded organizations must help you by providing free language access services, such as interpretation, and in some situations, translation.
 
Mei wor om Pwuung omw kopwe sinei ika pachenong, ika tufich seniekkei pekin aninnis mei kawor seni pekin Mwuu Nap (Federal) ika mwuun State ir mei angei moni seni Mwuu Nap ika Mwun State inamo ika kese tongeni kapas, annea, makeiika wewieti kapasen Merika.  Ika aramas rese weweiti kapasen Merika fansoun arkuta  aninnis seni ekkwe nenien aninnisir mi nounou moni seni kofemen, pochokunen ewe Annukun Awora Chiaku non fosun nenier (Language Access Law),  ekkewe nenien aninnisrepwe awor chon chiaku rese kamo ngenir awewe ren chiaku iwe pwan awewei kapas non fosun fonuer.
 
Jelājimwe ko am einwōt juōn LEP. Ewōr am jimwe im maroñin jelāak bed im bōk jibañjen program ko kajojo einwōt Federal im State agency ko kab organization ko im rej bōk aer jāān in jibañjen Federal ak State government, jekdôôn ñe kwōjjab maroñkōnono, read, im jeje ak melele kajin pālle. Lumin language access kakien eo, ñe armij rejjab melele kajin pālle ñan bōk jibañ, pād ilo program ko im makitkit ko, ra ko ilo kien im droulul ko kien ej lelôk jāān ñan er aikuj jibañeok lewaj ilo ejelôk wōnān ri-ukok ilokōnono im jet ien, jeje.

Need Help? Contact the Hawaii immigrant justice center at Legal Aid at (808) 536-4302!

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924 Bethel Street
Honolulu, HI 96813  
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808-536-4302
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THE LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF HAWAII DOES NOT HELP
WITH CRIMINAL OR PERSONAL INJURY MATTERS.

PLEASE CONSULT A PRIVATE ATTORNE
Y.

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​Legal Aid Society of Hawaii is a recipient of federal funding. Legal Aid does not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, sex, or age in admission to, participation in, or receipt of the services and benefits under any of its programs and activities.
How to file a complaint: If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination by Legal Aid, there are 3 ways to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights: 

Click here for more information.

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ANY CLIENT OR APPLICANT CAN FILE A GRIEVANCE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT A DENIAL OF SERVICES OR QUALITY OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF HAWAII.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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  • Home
    • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • Board of Directors
    • Locations
    • Legal Aid Newsletter >
      • Legal Aid Newsletter Archives
    • Annual Report
    • Upcoming Events
    • Staff >
      • Staff
    • Contact Us
  • Resources
    • ONLINE INTAKE
    • Elder Law Services
    • Brochures
    • Legal Navigator
    • Self-Help Centers
  • Opportunities
    • Employment Opportunities >
      • Director of Finance
      • Staff Attorney: Fair Housing Enforcement and Housing - Honolulu
      • Staff Attorney: Maui
    • Volunteer >
      • Disaster Recovery Legal Services
      • Clerical Aides & Paralegals
      • Law Student Externship
      • Pro Bono Attorneys
      • Attorney Volunteer-Self-Help Center
      • Summer Clerkship
  • Legal Aid Impact
    • Legal Aid News
  • GIVE NOW
    • Support Our Work
    • Ways to Give
    • Cy Pres Funds
    • Leadership Circle
  • Hawai‘i Immigrant Justice Center
    • Citizens of the Freely Associated States
    • Domestic Violence
    • Human Trafficking