Food and Cash Benefits

The State of Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) administers a cash assistance program for low income families with children. This program is called Temporary Aid to Needy Families/Temporary Aid to Other Needy Families (TANF/TAONF). DHS also administers a food assistance program called Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or Food Stamps).

In order to be eligible for TANF/TAONF, you must have at least one minor child living in your household. Pregnant women who do not have minor children are eligible from the first day of the ninth month of pregnancy.

An applicant can only get cash benefits for 60 months (five years) in a lifetime, but certain months do not count toward this limit. DHS will calculate the household’s gross and net income to determine income eligibility. Everyone in the household who can work must participate in the First to Work program. Additionally, the applicant must give any child support rights they have to the state, and cooperate in establishing paternity of children if needed. However, a family member doesn’t need to cooperate if they can show it would cause physical or emotional harm to the child, or reduce the parent/caretaker’s ability to care for the child.

The SNAP program looks to the income of the household to determine eligibility. Spouses are part of the same household, and parents and children under the age of 22 who are living together are part of the same household. DHS will calculate the household’s gross income, and net income to determine eligibility. However, there are several classes of persons whose eligibility is treated differently, including elderly persons, disabled persons, able-bodied adults without dependents, students, households with job striking members, TANF/TAONF recipients, etc.

To apply for TANF/TAONF, go to your nearest DHS welfare office to apply. After you submit your application, DHS will schedule an interview and will send you to First to Work orientation. Work eligible individuals must meet work requirements for 21 days before DHS issues the first month of benefits. If the application is approved, the first deposit of benefits must be made within 45 days of the date of application. Faster processing of an application within two working days is available when emergency situations exist. If you are denied, you may appeal this denial within 90 days.

To apply for SNAP, go to your nearest DHS welfare office to apply. You can apply for SNAP and TANF/TAONF on the same application. After you submit your application, you will be interviewed. DHS must decide whether a household is eligible for SNAP within 30 days from the date the application is filed unless the delay is the fault of the household. Some households may be able to have their application processed faster and could receive their benefits within 7 days of the date the application is filed. If you are denied, you may appeal this denial within 90 days.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may not be eligible for these programs unless you are a qualifying eligible alien under the specific program’s rules. Even if some members of your household may not be eligible due to citizenship, those who are U.S. citizens may still be eligible for benefits.

If an applicant for TANF/TAONF is a victim of domestic violence, the applicant may be eligible for certain program exemptions. If the applicant qualifies for DV status, months where benefits are received under this status do not count toward the 60 month limit. The applicant may also be exempt from participating in First to Work and may have good cause for not cooperating in establishing paternity.