Update at 2:20 p.m. March 20: The Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services has extended the deadline to submit applications for replacement benefits until April 2.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) replacement benefits allow eligible households to be reimbursed for food, purchased with SNAP benefits, that was destroyed due to the recent severe weather.
The Department of Human Services obtained approval from the federal Food and Nutrition Service to extend the deadline to submit applications for replacement benefits for specific areas of the state impacted by prolonged power outages associated with the kona low weather event from March 13 to March 15.
The replacement amount will be based on the value of food lost, not to exceed the total monthly SNAP benefit issued to the household.
The extended deadline for applications for replacement benefits applies only to the following areas below:
- Kauaʻi County: Kalāheo (96741), Kīlauea (96754), Waimea (96796), Princeville (96722), Kōloa (96756) and Kapaʻa (96746)
- Hawaiʻi County: North Kona (96740), South Kona (96750 and 96704), Volcano (96795), Keaʻau (96749), Kurtistown (96760), Mountain View (96771), Kaʻū (96734), and Kohala (96734)
- Maui County: Upcountry (96790 and 96768) and Haʻikū (96708)
- City and County of Honolulu (Oʻahu): Kāneʻohe (96744), Kailua (96734), Wahiawā (96786), Mililani (96789), and Honolulu (various ZIP codes)
The extension of the reporting deadline is only for households in the above ZIP codes. For households outside of those areas who experienced loss of food purchased with SNAP, the request for replacement benefits will need to be reported within 10 days of the loss.
SNAP participant households in the identified areas above who were impacted by the recent kona low event and power outages may apply by contacting any Department of Human Services Processing Center or by contacting the Public Assistance Information Line at 1-855-643-1643.
Original story at 3 a.m. March 19: Current recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits can replace any food lost due to the kona low weather event.
The Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services is allowing eligible households to be reimbursed for food purchased with SNAP benefits that was destroyed due to extended power outages or flooding during the severe weather.
The replacement amount will be based on the value of food lost, not exceeding the total monthly SNAP benefit issued to the household.
The Department of Human Services is accepting applications for SNAP replacement benefits from SNAP households statewide.
To qualify, SNAP recipients must submit a written statement reporting the food loss within 10 days of the incident. The statement must include:
- The name of the SNAP participant
- An estimate of the value of food destroyed
- A description of what occurred and when
- Contact information for the participant
A sample written statement is available on the Department of Human Services website; however, recipients may submit their own written statement and are not required to use the sample form.
Written statements may be submitted to any Department of Human Services processing center statewide. The processing center on Kauaʻi is open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday at 3059 ʻUmi St. in Līhuʻe.
Once received, submissions will be reviewed and validated. Approved applicants will receive replacement benefits following the review process.
