What do federal changes to SNAP mean for Hawaiʻi?
The federal reconciliation bill passed by Congress in July 2025 (HR1) makes sweeping structural changes to SNAP—the largest ever since the program 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 CHANGES IN HAWAIʻI
Note: For state budget planning purposes only. Dates in this timeline correspond to the start of each FFY as stated in HR1. Estimated impacts from the Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services SNAP Office as of July 2025. Resource updated: October 31, 2025
OCTOBER 2025
SNAP-ED ELIMINATED
Hawai‘i will lose over $2.5 million for SNAP education programs across the state. These programs provide funds for cooking and nutrition education to over 15,000 Hawai‘i residents per year.
NOVEMBER 2025
RESTRICTED UTILITY DEDUCTIONS
Energy assistance programs will be limited to kūpuna and people with disabilities.
NEW IMMIGRANT RESTRICTIONS
Refugees and asylum seekers will lose SNAP eligibility as they apply or recertify. (COFA citizens and Cuban/Haitian immigrants will still have access.)
Previously exempt groups who will be newly impacted:
Adults ages 55–64: 16,750 individuals affected
Households with children ages 14-18: 10,303 households affected
Veterans, currently homeless individuals, and former foster youth
EXPANDED WORK REQUIREMENTS
OCTOBER 2026
ADMINISTRATIVE COST INCREASES
States must pay 75% of SNAP administrative costs (up from 50%). For Hawai‘i, this would mean paying around $14.8 million more.
MONTHLY ALLOTMENTS FROZEN
Allotments determined by the Thrifty Food Plan will not see an increase; future changes only account for inflation.
Note: This will impact Hawai‘i’s efforts to adjust SNAP allotments to fairly account for neighbor island food prices. Click here to learn more.
OCTOBER 2027
STATE COST-SHARE
For the first time, Hawai‘i must pay for a share of SNAP benefits, depending on the state's payment error rate from either FY2025 or FY2026.*
*For the first year of implementation, the state can choose to use its rate from FY25 or FY26. If the error rate is above 13.33%, then the cost-share will not begin until October 2028 or 2029, respectively. After, it will be standard to use a state’s error rate from three fiscal years prior.