HONOLULU (KHON2) — Millions of dollars have been approved to help Native Hawaiians impacted by the federal shutdown and SNAP benefit changes.
On Nov. 6, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs approved up to $6.1 million for eligible beneficiaries, with $350 gift cards for SNAP recipients or $1,200 checks for furloughed federal workers.
“We look to provide money to nearly 15,000 of our most vulnerable beneficiaries with the $6.1 million we’ve set aside to address this emergency so that they can buy food and pay for other essential household needs,” Kaiali’i Kahele, OHA’s chairman, said.
The Hawaiian Council will begin accepting applications on OHA’s behalf on Nov. 10.
“OHA is stepping up to answer the call to help our lahui in their greatest time of need.”
Kaiali’i Kahele
Here’s who qualifies as a beneficiary
“We believe we’re targeting two groups of our beneficiaries who might otherwise be inadequately served or fall through the cracks of other relief programs,” said OHA Interim CEO Summer Sylva.
In a press release, OHA said payments up to $350 will be made to beneficiaries who are “age 60 and older, low-income adults or disabled” who receive SNAP benefits–but are excluded from the state’s Hawaii Relief Program.
Native Hawaiian furloughed federal civilian workers who earn no more than 400% of the Federal Poverty Level are eligible to receive up to $1,200, continued OHA.
“We know that there are thousands of beneficiaries who are being affected by this right now and OHA is stepping up to answer the call to help our lahui in their greatest time of need,” Kahele said.
Beneficiaries can visit OHA’s website or email kokua@oha.org for more information.