Department of Human Services

DHS is notifying the public about a possible scam. What happened? A few SNAP recipients reported that they received a voicemail or text message that seems like a scam. Was the voicemail from a real person or a recorded message? Not a real person, an automated recording. How many people reported this possible scam? Three ...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 9, 2025 The statement below is attributable to Joseph Campos II, deputy director of the Department of Human Services: “Due to the uncertainty surrounding the Supreme Court pause and the use of federal dollars, the state can assure you that on Monday, November 10, your EBT card will have the state ...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 8, 2025 HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i Department of Human Services (DHS) is providing an update for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients amid continued uncertainty surrounding federal SNAP funding and the Supreme Court’s temporary pause on full benefit payments. We understand that there are questions regarding whether some SNAP recipients may ...
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UPDATE – November 10, 2025 The Hawaiʻi Emergency Food Assistance Program (HEFAP) provided $250 per person in state funds to help families during this period of uncertainty. The HEFAP benefit has issued and should be available on EBT cards starting November 10, 2025. HEFAP benefits are restricted for the purchase of food. This support is ...
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HAWAI‘I RELIEF PROGRAM FAQs – SUPPORT FOR HOUSING AND UTILITY PAYMENTS What is the Hawaiʻi Relief Program? The Hawaiʻi Relief Program is a new statewide program that provides non-recurring short-term housing and utility payments to help families with dependent children who are in financial crisis or are experiencing an episode of financial need resulting from ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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SNAP UPDATES – November 7, 2025 SNAP benefits are available for use on a household’s Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card for those who were approved for November 2025. Hawaiʻi moved forward to issue the full amount for federally funded SNAP benefits earlier today in accordance with the November 6, 2025, order from the District Court ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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