What do federal changes to our safety net mean for Hawaiʻi?

The federal reconciliation bill passed by Congress in July 2025 (HR1) makes sweeping structural changes to Medicaid and SNAP—the largest ever since the programs began. These changes include stricter eligibility requirements and increased burden on states to pick up administrative and benefits costs.

This resource lays out some of the impacts Hawai‘i should prepare for, year-by-year.

TIMELINE: PREPARING FOR SNAP AND MEDICAID CHANGES IN HAWAIʻI

Note: Dates in this timeline correspond to the start of each FFY as stated in HR1 unless otherwise noted. Estimated impacts from the Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services SNAP Office as of July 2025. Resource updated: August 4, 2026

Total Cost
$330M – $550M/yr
Total Cost
$52M – $156M/yr