Strengthen SNAP access and keep Hawaiʻi households fed!

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a vital safety net that helps Hawai‘i households access basic nutrition and combat food insecurity. However, many individuals and families who struggle with food costs fall outside strict eligibility criteria, while those who do face barriers like long wait times, application errors and limited staff support. Addressing these challenges is essential to covering all families considered Asset-Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed (ALICE).

Each state legislative session, we keep a close eye on bills aimed at improving access to SNAP in the following ways:

  • Expanding Eligibility: Proposals to raise SNAP eligibility threshold and restore previous benefit standards.

  • Enhancing Accessibility: Efforts to simplify the process, like reducing administrative hurdles and extending certification periods to make it easier for specific groups.

  • Addressing Staffing Challenges: Initiatives to improve staffing and streamline SNAP support services during the application process, ensuring timely assistance for those who need it most.

During the 2026 legislative session, HHAN advocated for these key SNAP bills ↓

SB3245 - Enhances accessibility for kūpuna to apply and recertify for SNAP

HB 1518 - Enhances accessibility for incarcerated individuals and drug felony offenders to apply for SNAP

Beginning July 1, 2028:

- Extends certification periods for adults 60+ to every 2 years.

- Requires participation in the Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP), which would extend certification periods for adults 60+ and disabled individuals to every 3 years.

- Allows all individuals convicted of an offense involving the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance to apply for SNAP benefits, regardless of treatment status

Beginning January 1, 2028:

- Establishes a pre-release application process, allowing eligible incarcerated individuals to apply for SNAP benefits before release.

SNAP Allotment Decreases

Other Resources:

Impact of Federal SNAP Cuts

In the News

Featured
Mom-and-pop stores losing EBT customers struggle to survive
Mom-and-pop stores losing EBT customers struggle to survive

It’s not only making it harder for families to put food on their tables. It’s also affecting people’s livelihoods.

Proposed cuts to food stamps program could be ‘horrific’ in Hawaiʻi
Proposed cuts to food stamps program could be ‘horrific’ in Hawaiʻi

Under Republican proposals, Hawaiʻi could face more than $100 million in new costs to maintain the food stamp program.

Why is SNAP failing Hawaiʻi residents?
Why is SNAP failing Hawaiʻi residents?

It’s time for the state to invest in a more resilient, independent social safety net system that can keep working families going regardless of chaos at the federal level.

14,000 more Hawaii families may be eligible for SNAP benefits under new rules
14,000 more Hawaii families may be eligible for SNAP benefits under new rules

Department of Human Services says it is unsure when it can make the eligibility fix because it requires changes to the state’s 40-year-old computer system.