HONOLULU – Governor Josh Green and the Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services (DHS) have announced that SNAP recipients should be able to spend the additional $250 in relief funds beginning Nov. 10, four full days earlier than anticipated. Recipients should be able to see the extra $250 in their accounts now, as a pending benefit.

The Hawaiʻi Emergency Food Assistance Program (HEFAP) is a new state-sponsored food benefit that is separate from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit. HEFAP will provide a benefit of $250 per person in a household. HEFAP will only be available for households who were approved for November 2025 SNAP benefits. The HEFAP will be restricted to purchase food and groceries at retail locations that accept Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.

The Hawaiʻi Relief Program is a new statewide program that provides non-recurring short-term housing and utility payments to help families with dependent children who are in financial crisis, or are experiencing an episode of financial need resulting from an unexpected event such as involuntary loss of employment, natural disaster, displacement from a damaged home, or involuntary reduction in earnings or financial resource.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 30, 2025 HONOLULU – Governor Josh Green today 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). To provide necessary support, 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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 29, 2025 HONOLULU – Governor Josh Green today announced a coordinated relief effort to protect Hawaiʻi families from Federal shutdown impacts. In partnership with the Hawaiʻi State Legislature, the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), the Department of Education (HIDOE) and other state agencies, the Green Administration is activating multiple avenues of support to help households who may temporarily lose benef

The Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services (DHS) is sharing guidance on the temporary suspension of November 2025 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit issuances resulting from the ongoing federal government shutdown. DHS understands the hardship this may cause for families, kūpuna and individuals across Hawaiʻi and is committed to communicating clearly, working with compassion, and providing support throughout this interruption.

The Hawai‘i Department of Human Services (DHS) continues to closely monitor the federal government shutdown and its potential impact on programs that provide essential food assistance to Hawai‘i families.