The Hawaii food stamps program grants thousands of eligible families the benefits they need to afford their next meal. SNAP, formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is a nutrition assistance program funded by the federal government to help low-income individuals and families with their food expenses.
There are many factors that play into an applicant’s eligibility, such as income level and citizenship status. In Hawaii, the Department of Human Services (DHS) determines who is eligible for the SNAP program. Overall, the application process is fairly simple and can be done by mail or in person, depending on your preferences.
If you are accepted into the program, then you can receive SNAP assistance to purchase a variety of foods. However, there are certain limitations to take note of. To learn more about food stamps in Hawaii, including how much you may be eligible to receive in benefits, read the sections below.
Learn About Hawaii Food Stamps Requirements
The Hawaii SNAP program aims to help low-income residents who need assistance paying for food. Therefore, you must meet the state’s income requirements to be eligible for benefits. In general, the income limits in Hawaii are higher than other states.
The broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) in Hawaii expands SNAP benefits to families whose gross incomes do not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level. In any case, net income limits are still set at 100 percent of the poverty level. This helps families who make a higher income but have more costly expenses to qualify.
In order to meet food stamps eligibility in HI, you must meet both gross and net income limits for your household size. If you are a senior or have a disability, you will only need to meet the net income limit. By definition, your gross income is your income before taxes, and net income is your income after taxes have been deducted.
As a rule of thumb, you will meet food stamp qualifications if you already receive benefits from Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF). This is because you have already met the requirements for another income-related program that works similarly.
In addition to SNAP income guidelines, you must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident to receive benefits. If you are a non-citizen, you must have lived in the U.S. for the past five years, unless you are a minor or receive disability-related assistance. You must also meet employment requirements if you are able-bodied. Download our free guide to find out more.
How to Apply for Food Stamps in Hawaii
Once you have determined your eligibility, you will be ready to apply for food stamps in Hawaii. The process for filing an application requires you to provide details such as:
- Income
- Expenses
- Assets
- Citizenship status
When submitting your food stamp application, you will need to provide personal information, such as your name, date of birth and Social Security number (SSN). Moreover, you will need to provide details regarding your household members.
There are a few available methods for obtaining SNAP benefits. While you cannot apply for food stamps online in Hawaii, there is an electronic form that you can complete online and then print out. In addition, you may pick up the appropriate form from certain government offices. Once your application is completed, you can submit it by mail or in person to your local DHS office.
After you have submitted your food stamp application, you will be contacted for a phone or in-person interview, which aims to verify the information provided on the form. Moreover, you may have to submit additional documentation to further prove your eligibility.
Be mindful that your application may be denied if you fail to submit the required documentation or miss out on the interview altogether. As such, it is important that you remain up to date with the status of your application. In the event that you are denied, there is an appeal process that can be initiated by submitting a written notice.
If you meet the food stamp qualifications and are accepted into the program, you will receive your benefits for the amount of time that your certification period allows. When it comes time for recertification, you will most likely have to submit the same paperwork that you did when you initially applied. This is to verify that you still meet SNAP eligibility requirements. By downloading our free guide, you can learn more about how to apply for SNAP.
Learn About SNAP Benefits in Hawaii
Once you have been approved for the SNAP program, you will receive an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card to access your benefits. The total amount of benefits you can receive is dependent on your income and household size.
Larger households usually qualify for a higher amount of benefits than smaller households, and families who earn less typically receive higher amounts than families with higher incomes. The maximum monthly benefit allotment for a two-person household is $987, while a family of eight can receive up to $3,230.
You will receive your benefits every month on the same day as designated by your local DHS. Funds will automatically be deposited into your EBT account. However, these are food benefits and can only be used as such.
With SNAP benefits, you receive access to a variety of nutritious foods to help you live a healthy lifestyle. This includes:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Dairy products
- Meat, poultry and fish
- Breads and cereals
You can also purchase seeds and plants to produce your own food. Everything that you purchase with food stamp benefits must be prepared or cooked at home. You cannot purchase any hot or read-to-go meals at the grocery store. Additionally, nonfood items are prohibited from being purchased with SNAP benefits. This includes pet food, cleaning supplies and paper products.
SNAP recipients are allowed to purchase accessory food items. These include junk food items, such as cookies, chips, doughnuts. They also include seasonings, condiments and dressings, as well as cooking or baking ingredients.
Contact Information
Name: Department of Human Services
Phone Number: (855) 643-1643
Address: 1390 Miller Street, Room 209, Honolulu, HI 96813
Acting Administrator: Scott Nakasone
Last Updated: February 27, 2023