Department of Human Services

News Release 10/30/2025: GOVERNOR GREEN ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL COORDINATED RELIEF EFFORTS TO PROTECT HAWAI‘I FAMILIES FROM FEDERAL SHUTDOWN IMPACTS What is the Hawaiʻi Emergency Food Benefit? The Hawaiʻi Emergency Food Benefit (HEFB) is a new state-sponsored food benefit that is separate from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit. HEFB will provide a benefit of $250 per ...
Read More Hawaiʻi Emergency Food Benefit FAQs: state-sponsored 0 per person to purchase food

HAWAI‘I RELIEF PROGRAM FAQs – SUPPORT FOR HOUSING AND UTILITY PAYMENTS What is the Hawaiʻi Relief Program? What type of help can a family receive through the Hawaiʻi Relief Program? What is considered a “family” for the purposes of the Hawaiʻi Relief Program? What are the eligibility criteria for the Hawaiʻi Relief Program? What are ...
Read More HAWAI‘I RELIEF PROGRAM FAQs – SUPPORT FOR HOUSING AND UTILITY PAYMENTS

Click here for Hawai‘i Relief Program FAQs. Click here for a video statement from DHS Deputy Director Joseph Campos. GOVERNOR GREEN ANNOUNCES COORDINATED RELIEF EFFORT TO PROTECT HAWAIʻI FAMILIES FROM FEDERAL SHUTDOWN IMPACTS Support for Housing and Utility Payments FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 29, 2025 HONOLULU – Governor Josh Green today announced a coordinated relief effort to protect Hawaiʻi ...
Read More HAWAI‘I RELIEF PROGRAM

For Immediate Release October 24, 2025 HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services (DHS) is sharing guidance on the temporary suspension of November 2025 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit issuances resulting from the ongoing federal government shutdown. DHS understands the hardship this may cause for families, kūpuna and individuals across Hawaiʻi and is ...
Read More HAWAIʻI DHS PROVIDES GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT FOR HOUSEHOLDS AFFECTED BY FEDERAL SHUTDOWN SUSPENSION OF SNAP BENEFITS

News Release 10/30/2025: GOVERNOR GREEN ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL COORDINATED RELIEF EFFORTS TO PROTECT HAWAI‘I FAMILIES FROM FEDERAL SHUTDOWN IMPACTS News Release 10/29/2025: Governor Green Announces Coordinated Relief Effort to Protect Hawai‘i Families from Federal Shutdown Impacts News Release 10/24/2025: Department of Human Services | HAWAIʻI DHS PROVIDES GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT FOR HOUSEHOLDS AFFECTED BY FEDERAL SHUTDOWN ...
Read More INFORMATION ABOUT IMPACTS ON SNAP BENEFITS AMID THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 17, 2025  HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i Department of Human Services (DHS) is mobilizing to support communities ahead of new federal work requirements for SNAP recipients, effective November 1, 2025. These requirements stem from a federal law passed this year and are not a state-initiated measure. DHS affirms its commitment to helping ...
Read More FEDERAL SNAP WORK REQUIREMENT CHANGES TO BEGIN – Department of Human Services Offers Guidance and Resources

General Background about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP):  (Updated 10/16/2025) SNAP provides assistance to purchase food for low-income households. An estimated 84,869 households (=165,659 people) currently receive SNAP in Hawai‘i.  The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) that was signed into law on July 4, 2025, makes a number of changes to requirements for ...
Read More Changes to Able-Bodied Adult Work Requirements for SNAP – FAQs