Coordinated Relief Efforts to Protect Hawai‘i’s Families from Federal Shutdown Impacts

Coordinated Relief Efforts to Protect Hawai‘i’s Families from Federal Shutdown Impacts

For information on the following programs and how to apply, call 211.

Governor Josh Green announced new coordinated state actions to protect Hawaiʻi families from the impacts of the ongoing federal government shutdown and disruption to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

EMERGENCY FUNDS

Hawai‘i Relief Program

The Hawaiʻi Relief Program, launched with $100 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding, provides up to four months of housing and utility assistance for families with children facing financial hardship. DHS has contracted Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi (CCH) and Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. (MEO) to administer the program statewide.

Applications opened October 29. Families on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, and Hawaiʻi Island may apply through CCH, while residents of Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi may apply through MEO. Families do not need to be SNAP recipients to qualify.

For more information or to apply for the Hawaiʻi Relief Program, visit the appropriate website or call the office on your island. Families seeking help can also contact Aloha United Way’s 211 to be directed to CCH and MEO. 

Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi (Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island)
Phone: 808-521-4357 (press “1” for financial assistance, then “1” for HRP)
Email: [email protected]
Website: catholiccharitieshawaii.org/hawaii_relief_program

Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. (Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi)
Phone: 808-243-4357
Email: [email protected]
Website: meoinc.org

Hawai‘i Food Assistance Program — $250 Emergency Relief Payment

The state will issue a $250 emergency relief payment per eligible individual, for a total cost of $42.2 million in November, helping households bridge the gap created by the pause in federal SNAP funding.

 

Office of Hawaiian Affairs: Emergency Relief for Native Hawaiian Families

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has committed $6.1 million in emergency relief funds to assist Native Hawaiian families experiencing food insecurity, loss of utilities, or housing instability.

More details on OHA’s $6.1 million dollar emergency funding program, who qualifies, and how benefits will be distributed will be announced no later than early November.

FOOD RESOURCES

SNAP Outreach Providers

Department of Human Services contracts eight different nonprofits throughout the state to conduct outreach to households eligible for SNAP benefits and to provide assistance with referrals to food resources in the community.

Aloha United Way 2-1-1

Aloha United Way is a SNAP outreach provider that maintains a database that can provide referrals to other helpful food resources in your community.

  • Statewide: 211

Hawai’i food banks

Governor Green has directed $2 million in state support through the Department of Human Services (DHS) to Hawai‘i’s food banks to maintain essential operations and food distribution across every island. Additionally, the state is releasing $500,000 for the Farm to Families program — spearheaded by the House Majority Caucus last session to purchase locally produced food.

Hawaiʻi Foodbank works together with its network of food partner agencies to serve the needs of the community on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi.

  • Oʻahu: 808-836-3600
  • Kauaʻi: 808-482-2224

Hawai’i Island Food Basket

The Food Basket is Hawaiʻi Island’s Food Bank. The website includes information on how to locate food resources, including food pantries and soup kitchens on Hawaiʻi island.

  • Hawaiʻi Island: 808-933-6030

Maui Food Bank

The mission of Maui Food Bank is to end hunger in Maui County. The Maui Food Bank distributes over 8 million pounds of food each year, including 2.3 million pounds of fresh produce.

  • Maui: 808-243-9500

Department of Education: Free and Reduced Price Meal Program

Effective for the school year 2025-26, students who qualify for reduced-price meals will receive one breakfast and one lunch daily at no charge, in accordance with Act 139, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi 2025. While these students will still be categorized as reduced-price eligible under federal guidelines, their meals will be scanned as “Reduced – No Charge.”

If a student would like to purchase a second meal or a la carte items such as milk, funds will need to be deposited into their account. Online payment is available at ezschoolpay.com.

To submit an application for Free and Reduced-Price Meal Benefits, please visit EZMealApp.

EMPLOYMENT

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations: Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment Insurance (UI), also called Unemployment Compensation, provides financial assistance (benefits) to eligible workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own.

The unemployment compensation program for Federal Employees (UCFE) was established by Congress in 1954. Each state administers UCFE and sets eligibility requirements, benefit amounts, and length of time benefits can be paid. But all states follow the same guidelines under federal law.

To apply, go to huiclaims.hawaii.gov and click on “Claimant Services Login/Create Account. ” This online service is available Monday to Friday from 6:30am to 11:00pm. On weekends and holidays, from 9:00am to 11:00pm. All times are Hawaii Standard Time. Your claim is valid for a one-year period called the benefit year. But you can be paid only for 26 weeks of the total unemployment during the one-year period that your claim is effective.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations: Unemployment Insurance Tools

Starting October 7, 2024, the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR), in partnership with the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) and the U.S. Department of Labor (U.S.DOL), will implement additional tools in the State Information Data Exchange System (SIDES). SIDES is a web-based system that enables employers to receive and respond to unemployment insurance (UI) claims quickly, accurately and securely.

Registered employers may access SIDES through a single sign-on feature via the web portal. This single sign-on feature is a safe and secure solution that will reduce errors, help to prevent fraud and improve accuracy.

Federal Unemployment FAQs

Department of Human Resources Development: Operation Hire Hawai’i

Operation Hire Hawaiʻi (OH-HI) is a targeted outreach initiative featuring an expedited state hiring process, fast-tracking qualified candidates into job opportunities throughout Hawaiʻi. This project aims to provide opportunities for individuals impacted by layoffs, resignations, loss of federal funding, and other interested job seekers. The State of Hawai’i is committed to respecting and valuing its employees. We welcome all applicants!

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Aloha United Way 2-1-1
Aloha United Way is a SNAP outreach provider that maintains a database that can provide referrals to other helpful food resources in your community.

Statewide: 211

Hawaiʻi Foodbank
Hawaiʻi Foodbank works together with its network of food partner agencies to serve the needs of the community on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi.

Oʻahu: 808-836-3600

Kauaʻi: 808-482-2224

Hawaii Island Food Basket
The Food Basket is Hawaiʻi Island’s Food Bank. The website includes information on how to locate food resources, including food pantries and soup kitchens on Hawaiʻi island.

Hawaiʻi Island: 808-933-6030

Maui Food Bank
The mission of Maui Food Bank is to end hunger in Maui County. The Maui Food Bank distributes over 8 million pounds of food each year, including 2.3 million pounds of fresh produce.

Maui: 808-243-9500

SNAP Outreach Providers
DHS contracts eight different nonprofits throughout the state to conduct outreach to households eligible for SNAP benefits and to provide assistance with referrals to food resources in the community.

Vibrant Hawai’i: Aloha in Action

Registration opens on Thursday, October 30 at 4:00pm and will continue to open on a rolling basis each hour. This project prioritizes households whose SNAP benefits have been paused and federal employees impacted by the government shutdown. Proof of eligibility is required. Limit 1 per household. 

Accepted proof of eligibility includes:

  • Hawaiʻi EBT Card (with matching ID)
  • Approval or renewal letter from DHS
  • Federal Employee ID Badge (PIV/CVC)
  • Recent Federal Pay Stub
  • Official Furlough/Shutdown Notice Email