Kūpuna at risk: How federal changes to SNAP impact older adults in Hawaiʻi

Hawaiʻi’s kūpuna already face some of the highest food costs in the nation, stretching fixed incomes across housing, medical bills and groceries. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps more than 33,000 Hawaiʻi seniors afford nutritious foods—supporting overall health and providing flexibility, dignity, and the ability to choose culturally-relevant foods. However, new federal restrictions threaten to cut off access at a time when the need is higher than ever.

Hawaiʻi has options, though—by adopting kūpuna-focused programs and tapping local resources, state leaders can help ensure that our elders don’t lose the food security they deserve.

Congress Raises the Age for Work Requirements

Prior to the passage of HR1—the recent budget mega-bill passed by Congress—adults aged 55 and above were exempt from SNAP time limits in the event of unemployment. This exemption is known as the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents—or ABAWD—rule. Passage of HR1 means this exemption may no longer be available until the age of 65, pushing an estimated 16,570 older adults in Hawaiʻi off of the program unless they can document 20 hours of work per week (based on April 2025 data from Hawaiʻi’s SNAP office).