Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services announces critical updates for households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP and still commonly referred to as food stamps, and were impacted by Hurricane/Tropical Cyclone Lala.
Many families experienced food loss because of severe weather, prolonged power outages, flooding and other household misfortunes.
The state implemented an automated mass replacement of 45% of August benefits for households in federally approved areas in support of recovery efforts. The 45% replacement benefits are scheduled to be available on EBT cards as early as Thursday morning.
Automated mass replacement applies to households in:
- Hawaiʻi County.
- City and County of Honolulu (Oʻahu).
- West Maui (ZIP code 96761).
Households in these areas will receive 45% replacement automatically. Recipients outside automated mass replacement‑approved areas can still apply through Sept. 13 for replacement benefits; however, they will not receive an automatic issuance and must submit a written statement to request replacement benefits.
Households in automated mass replacement‑approved ZIP codes who lost more than the automated 45% amount can also request additional replacement benefits.
The state will manually process the remaining difference; eligibility workers might contact households if clarification is needed to verify the amount being requested.
To ensure households statewide have enough time to request replacement benefits beyond automatic issuance, Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services was approved for an extension of a timely reporting waiver through Sept. 13.
This gives families additional days to submit signed statements documenting food loss.
“Many families are still dealing with the serious impacts of [Hurricane/Tropical Cyclone Lala] — spoiled food, damaged homes and difficulties accessing essential services,” said Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green in a state release. “These replacement benefits and the extended reporting period ensure that [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] households get the support they need to continue feeding their families while they recover.”
How to apply for additional or non‑automated replacement benefits
Households needing more than the automated 45% replacement — or those living outside the automated mass replacement areas — can apply by submitting a signed, written statement that includes:
- Name of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participant.
- Date of food loss (specific date required).
- Estimated value of food lost (specific dollar amount required).
- Description of what happened.
- Participant contact information.
“Our priority is ensuring that [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] households across Hawaiʻi receive timely support,” said Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services Director Joseph Campos II in the state release. “The automated mass replacement reduces barriers for families in the hardest‑hit areas, and the extended deadline allows households statewide the flexibility to report additional losses. [Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services] remains committed to supporting our communities as they rebuild.”
Participants are encouraged to visit the Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services website or call the Statewide Public Assistance Information Line at 1-855-643-1643 for additional information.
