DHS Opens Assistance Offices for SNAP Beneficiaries on Hawaii Island

Posted on Aug 11, 2014 in NEWS

Thousands of Hawaii Island households remain without electricity in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Iselle this past weekend.  The Department of Human Services (DHS) Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) is opening four assistance offices for current SNAP beneficiaries on the east side of Hawaii Island.

BESSD representatives will be stationed at the below locations Mondays –Fridays between 8:30 am – 3:30 pm, through August 22. These sites will be closed Friday, August 15 for the Admissions Day holiday.

  • Hawaiian Shores Community Center
  • Nanawale Estates Community Association
  • Leilani Estates Community Center Association
  • Hawaiian Paradise Park – Church of the Nazarene

At these assistance sites, SNAP households may request reimbursement for the actual dollar value of food destroyed by storm related power outages.  The reimbursement cannot exceed the household’s current monthly allotment (HAR 17-681-31).

To qualify for reimbursement, the affected household must have been participating in the SNAP when the disaster occurred, and report the loss to the DHS Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) within 10 days of the severe weather event. The deadline to submit reimbursement requests for food spoiled during Tropical Storm Iselle is Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014.

To be considered for the reimbursement, the affected SNAP household must provide the DHS BESSD a signed statement that includes the following information:
1)    Name of the storm and dates of impact;
2)    General list of food items lost due to storm related power outage;
3)    Length of time household power was out of service;
4)    Statement that the household is aware of the penalties for the intentional misrepresentation of the facts (HAR 17-681-35); and
5)    Statement that the household is aware that SNAP replacement allotment will not be issued if the required statement is not signed and returned within 10 days (HAR 17-681-35).

Big Island residents who need more information may call the BESSD office at 981-7288