With the federal government now reopened, Hawaii officials are working to stabilize food assistance for tens of thousands of residents following weeks of shutdown-related disruptions, conflicting federal directives and a new court order temporarily blocking the U.S. Department of Agriculture from limiting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments from the states this month.
The state Department of Human Services said it successfully issued full November SNAP benefits Nov. 7 to more than 78,000 households representing over 160,000 people statewide. Many residents had braced for reduced or delayed benefits after the USDA sent multiple notices telling states to pause or scale back payments during the shutdown that began Oct. 1.
The 43-day shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, ended Wednesday after President Donald Trump signed a continuing resolution bill that funded government operations through Jan 30.
A federal temporary restraining order issued that same day in a multistate lawsuit halted those directives, preventing the USDA from enforcing notices sent beginning in early October. The order also requires the USDA to make contingency funds available to states’ EBT vendors — money federal officials previously said they would release but had not yet distributed.
The TRO did not mandate nationwide issuance of full benefits but shields states from federal penalties for proceeding with payments while legal challenges continue.
DHS Deputy Director Joseph Campos II said the reopening of the federal government has allowed Hawaii to resume normal coordination with its EBT vendor and continue issuing benefits to households that did not receive funds Nov. 7.
“Following the end of the government shutdown, Hawaii is working with its EBT vendor on ensuring sufficient funding is available to issue benefits for households who have not yet received November benefits,” said Campos, adding that the state anticipated being able to issue SNAP benefits beginning last week.
To fill remaining gaps, DHS has approved Hawaii Emergency Food Assistance Program benefits of $250 per person for households already approved for November SNAP payments. Families are urged to check EBT balances as deposits are made.
Additional support for families with dependent children is available through the Hawaii Relief Program, which helps with rent, mortgage and utility costs. Residents also can contact Aloha United Way’s 211 helpline for food resource information.
As benefit distribution resumes, Hawaii also is implementing expanded federal able-bodied adult work requirements that took effect beginning this month. Previously covering only adults ages 18 to 54 without dependents, eligibility now also applies to adults aged 55 to 64; adults in households with a dependent child age 14 or older; individuals experiencing homelessness; veterans; and former foster youth ages 18 to 24.
DHS has begun assessing which households fall under the new criteria and how the changes may affect future benefit eligibility.
Although federal agencies have reopened and states have regained access to funding, the legal fight over the USDA’s shutdown directives continues. The TRO is temporary, and upcoming court hearings will determine whether states must continue issuing full benefits and how SNAP will be administered if another funding lapse occurs.
For now, DHS officials say their priority is making sure every eligible Hawaii household receives the food assistance it was promised for November.
Source: The Garden Island