DHS extends SNAP replacement deadlines, approves mass aid for Kauai

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaiʻi residents who lost food during recent tropical storms have more time to apply for replacement food assistance.

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The Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services announced extended deadlines for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients following federal approval.

SNAP recipients impacted by Tropical Cyclone Lala and Hurricane Lowell may now submit written statements through:

The federal government also approved Automated Mass Replacement (AMR) benefits for Kauaʻi households that lost food during power outages from Hurricane Lowell.

Affected families will receive 60% of their monthly SNAP amount on Sept. 17 without needing to apply. For instance, a household that received $100 in August will automatically get $60.

Households outside the AMR area — or those who lost more food than the automatic replacement amount — can request additional benefits by submitting a signed written statement that includes:

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A sample statement is available on the DHS website, but applicants can submit their own written statement instead.

Applicants may request replacement SNAP benefits due to impacts from Lala, Lowell or both, depending on their individual food loss.

Statements may be submitted to any DHS Processing Center statewide. As required by federal rules, the SNAP recipient must sign the statement.

For more information, visit humanservices.hawaii.gov or call the Statewide Public Assistance Information Line at 1-855-643-1643.

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