Community Resources during the Government Shutdown

🥗 Hawaiʻi Emergency Food Benefit

  • One-time $250 credit per person for current SNAP recipients, added directly to EBT cards by mid-November.

  • Funds may be used for groceries only.

  • Funded through $28.5 million in General Funds and $13.6 million in TANF for families with children.
    ➡️ humanservices.hawaii.gov

🏠 Hawaiʻi Relief Program (Rental & Utility Assistance)

  • Provides short-term help for rent, mortgage, and utility payments for families with children affected by job loss, disaster, or reduced income.

  • Up to $6,000 for rent/mortgage, $3,000 for utility deposits, or $2,000 per utility for up to four months.

  • Eligibility: Hawaiʻi residents, at least one U.S. citizen/qualified resident, household income ≤ 300% of federal poverty level.

  • Apply through:

    • Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi (Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi Island): 808-521-4357 or catholiccharitieshawaii.org/state-housing-and-utility-program-hup

🧒 Free School Meals

  • The Department of Education encourages families affected by lost pay to sign up for free school meals.

  • When applying, enter “$0” for income if your pay has been suspended.
    ➡️ Apply here: secure.ezmealapp.com/ApplicationScreen.aspx

🍎 Foodbank Outreach & Community Distribution

  • The State allocated $2 million to strengthen island-wide food distribution through the Hawaiʻi Foodbank, Maui Food Bank, and The Food Basket.

  • Find local food pantries:

☎️ Aloha United Way 2-1-1 Hotline

  • Free, confidential statewide helpline for food, shelter, childcare, and financial assistance.

  • Available 7 a.m.–10 p.m. daily, including holidays.

    • Dial 2-1-1 anywhere in Hawaiʻi

    • Text 877-275-6569 (for deaf/hard of hearing)

    • Live chat: auw211.org

These programs exist because Hawaiʻi believes in taking care of one another. Please share this information widely with neighbors, kūpuna, and families who may be struggling.