A number of changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program went into effect in Hawaii on Nov. 1, even though funds have been suspended due to the federal government shutdown.
H.R.1, or the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, expanded work requirements for what it called “able-bodied adults,” which currently apply to residents ages 18 to 54 with no dependents, to a broader population to remain eligible for SNAP, America’s food stamp program.
Under federal law, these adults will have to complete 80 hours of work or training per month to remain eligible for SNAP. Work will also be required for older adults, including those ages 55 to 64, as well as adults in households with dependent children that are ages 14 and older. The work requirements will also apply to people experiencing homelessness, veterans and youth ages 18 to 24 transitioning from foster care.
People can still apply for SNAP during the government shutdown, according to Scott Morishige, division administrator of benefits for the state Department of Human Services.
“DHS remains open, and we are continuing to process applications for SNAP and other benefits,” said Morishige during a briefing Wednesday to a Hawaii House Committee. “So this means if a client has an interview scheduled for application or recertification, please keep that interview.”
Once the government shutdown is over, then work will begin to get SNAP payments out to qualified recipients again, he said, but the process may take some time. It remains unknown, however, when the government shutdown will end.
In the meantime, Gov. Josh Green has set up the Hawaii Relief Program, offering $100 million in funds to help families with children affected by the government shutdown pay up to four months of rent or utilities. Applications opened Tuesday for program, which is tapping into the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families fund.
But DHS at the same time was bracing for the expansion of work requirements for SNAP recipients, and had issued a news release in mid-October saying it was working to inform communities of them.
The change to work requirements was expected to affect an estimated 16,000 individuals ages 55 to 64, and an estimated 10,000 households with a dependent, although not all in those categories rely solely on SNAP.
To meet eligibility requirements, people can show proof of at least 80 hours of paid employment, which can include self-employment, per month, or volunteer work with a governmental or nonprofit group. That can include volunteering at a food pantry or homeless shelter.
Residents can also sign up for a job training program, including the SNAP Employment and Training Program run by Goodwill Hawaii or American Job Centers. An internship, whether paid or unpaid, would also count. But volunteer work for a private, for-profit company is not allowable, DHS said.
If an “able-bodied adult” does not meet work requirements, they may only be eligible for three months of SNAP benefits, and not be able to reapply for three years or until those requirements are met.
Those not subject to “able-bodied adult” work requirements include people who are pregnant, have a medically confirmed physical or mental disability, who are receiving disability benefits, and those participating in a drug or alcohol treatment program.
American Indians and Alaska Natives are also exempt, but not Native Hawaiians.
Additionally, starting Saturday, only lawful permanent residents and Compact of Free Association individuals from Micronesia, the Marshall Islands or Palau, along with Cuban or Haitian entrants will remain eligible for SNAP.
Those granted asylum, Amerasian immigrants, and those with a special immigrant visa, among others, will no longer be eligible for SNAP.
DHS said the immigration status for all noncitizens will be verified at the time of application or recertification, including when a member is added to a household for SNAP.
At the same time, DHS said the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday approved Hawaii’s request for a special exemption, which will hold the state blameless from errors made while implementing these new requirements, through Sept. 30 of next year.
“We’re still reviewing that exemption approval and working to implement it,” he said.
Still, he said, Hawaii needs to show a good faith effort in implementing the new requirements. In past years, the state had been fined millions of dollars by the federal government for SNAP payment errors to its beneficiaries.
Hawaii’s payment error rate was about 21% in fiscal year 2023. Due to new federal requirements, states in 2027 are expected to pay a portion of SNAP benefits, but will not have to if they have payment error rates below 6%.
On Friday, DHS shared that SNAP benefits would be suspended, effective Saturday, affecting an estimated 85,000 households.
SNAP Work Requirements
The following populations are newly subjected to work requirements to qualify for SNAP benefits — food stamps — effective Saturday.
>> Adults ages 55-64.
>> Adults in households with dependent children ages 14 and older.
>> People experiencing homelessness.
>> Veterans.
>> Youth ages 18-24 transitioning from foster care.
SNAP participants will be assessed for these requirements during their next interview for an application or recertification.
New requirements
>> Must work at least 80 hours a month in paid employment, including self-employment; volunteer with a nonprofit; participate in a job training program.
Questions? Contact DHS’s Public Assistance Information Line at 1-855-643-1643. More information available at 808ne.ws/47fkoGj.
Source: Hawaii Department of Human Services
Source: The Garden Island