Department of Human Services

1. What is Emergency SNAP Supplement?

Section 2302(a)(1) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, allows States to request COVID-19 emergency allotments (EA) “for households participating in SNAP to address temporary food needs during the pandemic.” The State must support its request with enough data, as determined through the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) guidance. Pursuant to the President’s Executive Order on Economic Relief Related to Covid -19 pandemic, issued January 22, 2021, FNS determined that a new approach to EA will provide greater equity for households most in need.  FNS Determination of Enhanced Emergency Allotments April 1, 2021, has adopted the following policy approach:  households who had not been receiving EA payments and those whose EA payments were less than $95 per month will receive increased benefits.  EA payments will not change for households who had been receiving EA benefits of $95 or more per month.

In Hawaii, emergency allotment is called emergency SNAP supplement. Emergency SNAP supplement for a benefit month is issued the following month once FNS approved the request for issuance of emergency allotment. Example, emergency allotment approved for the benefit month of April is issued the following month of May. An announcement will be posted on the DHS website.

2. What if I have income and I am receiving SNAP? Will I receive the emergency SNAP supplement?

Yes, if your household is eligible for SNAP and your case is open (active). Example, household size of 3 with countable income and received $720.00 SNAP allotment for the month of April. The maximum allotment allowed for this household size based on the current Thrifty Food Plan is $986.00. This household will receive emergency SNAP supplement in the amount of $266.00 in May. (986-720 = 266). Issuance date is announced on the DHS website.

3. What if my household has no income? Will we receive the emergency SNAP supplement?

 Households with no income and already receiving maximum SNAP allotment will receive $95 emergency SNAP supplement the following month.

4. I heard there is an increase in the SNAP maximum allotment effective January 1, 2021. What does this mean?

Yes, there is an increase in the temporary SNAP maximum allotment. This is temporary only and will end on September 30, 2021. It is a 15% increase based on the current maximum allotment. Example: current maximum allotment (fiscal year 2021) for household size of 1 is $375.00. The 15% increase will bring this allotment amount to $432.00. Again, this is temporary only and will end on September 30, 2021. On October 1, 2021, SNAP maximum allotments will be based on the new Federal Fiscal Year (FYY) 2022 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) figures set forth by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) at a later date.

5. My household of 3 already received SNAP in January, we have no income and are getting the full allotment amount of $986.00. How can we get the new (increased) allotment?

Household who already received the January SNAP benefit amount will receive a supplement on January 13. For this household of 3 who received $986.00, expect to receive a SNAP supplement of $148.00. A notice will be mailed. This will bring your maximum allotment temporarily from $986.00 to $1,134.00. Beginning February (until September 30, 2021), your temporary maximum allotment will be $1,134.00. In October, your maximum allotment will be based on the new Federal Fiscal Year (FYY) 2022 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) figures set forth by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). Notice of SNAP allotment will be mailed to SNAP households.

6. With the 15% temporary allotment increase, how will it affect my emergency SNAP supplement?

Two things, first, if your household is eligible to receive the maximum allotment due to no income or zero net income, your maximum allotment amount will be reflective of the 15% temporary increase which is good until September 30, 2021. You will also receive $95 emergency SNAP supplement which is issued the following month.

Second, if your household has countable income and your net income is not zero, your SNAP allotment will temporarily increase based on the 15% increase. As your household is not getting the maximum allotment amount due to your income, your emergency SNAP supplement is the difference between your household’s-based benefit calculation and the SNAP maximum allotment for your household size.  If your emergency SNAP supplement is $95 or more, you will continue to receive the same amount, no change in your emergency SNAP supplement.  However, if your calculated emergency SNAP supplement amount is less than $95, you will receive emergency SNAP supplement totaling $95 per month. Again, this is issued the following month per FNS approval.