6th emergency relief period for food insecurity declared by Hawaiʻi governor

Gov. Josh Green signed a sixth emergency proclamation to extend federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program emergency allotment benefits, also known as SNAP, in keeping with ongoing federal COVID relief efforts.

The emergency proclamation continues through the next 60 days. But the federal government passed the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act and established that the emergency allotments for the benefit month of February 2023 will be the last month for SNAP, according to a news release issued by the governor.

“Hawaiʻi’s families are heavily burdened by economic impacts of the pandemic as well as inflation and these additional SNAP benefits ensure access to nutritious food,” Gov. Green said. 

For qualifying households, SNAP is a lifeline to food and nutritional support that also assists people transitioning from public assistance to independent living.

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Human Services’ Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division administers SNAP. The department has been committed to advocating the importance of food security for individuals and households in the islands throughout the public health emergency.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture manages SNAP, which is the largest food nutrition assistance initiative in the nation. Recipients of SNAP and Financial Assistance Programs are required to renew their eligibility annually in order for most households to continue to receive benefits.

Documents for recertification and renewal can be uploaded here: https://pais-benefits.dhs.hawaii.gov/.

For more information, about applications and renewals, please call the toll-free Public Assistance Information Line at 1-855-643-1643. In addition, DHS contracts with the following seven SNAP Outreach providers statewide to provide information and basic assistance with SNAP applications as well as referrals to other food sources:

Hawaiʻi Island:

• The Food Basket
  Phone:  808-933-6030 (Hilo) and 808-322-1418 (Kona)

Statewide:

• Aloha United Way
  Phone: 211

Oʻahu:

• Hale Naau Pono
  Phone: 808-696-4211 (Leeward Coast only)
• Helping Hands Hawai‘i
  Phone: 808-440-3812
• Lanakila Pacific
  Phone: 808-356-8581

Kauaʻi:

• Child & Family Service
  Phone:  808-245-5914

Maui:

• Project Vision Hawai‘i
  Phone:  808-201-3937