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Governor Ige has announced the extension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Hawaii to January 16, 2023. The program in question is sponsored by the federal government’s COVID relief funding, says hawaii.gov.
SNAP Benefits in Hawaii
On November 17, Governor David Ige of Hawaii signed a fifth emergency proclamation. This move followed the extension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotment benefits to January 16, 2023. Ige has signed emergency proclamations as an alternative to SNAP benefits. This has been done since the COVID-19 pandemic started in March and has already been extended several times. The budget of the program in question will be sponsored by the federal government’s funding for COVID relief. According to Ige, the SNAP benefits provide Hawaiian families with nutritious food. The emergency proclamation would ensure that the families would have food security through the holidays.
According to Wu, the SNAP program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is the biggest food nutrition assistance program in the U.S. It has always provided essential food and nutritional support to eligible households. Those households and those who transitioned from public assistance to self-support are qualified for this program. Eligibility for most households is required by the federal government to be recertified or renewed annually, says the Hawaii Department of Human Services.
Who is eligible for these benefits?
To be eligible for SNAP benefits, households must meet certain requirements for Gross Monthly Income, Net Income, and Assets. Gross and Net incomes must be at or less than 130% of the poverty line. A household without a member aged 60 or older or with special needs must have assets valued at $2,750 or less. Otherwise, a household with the aforementioned members must have assets valued at $4,250 or less, as reported by Paña. These poverty guidelines by the federal government are established by the Office of Management and Budget. The Department of Health and Human Services updates these guidelines annually. U.S. citizens and some aliens who are allowed for permanent residency may also be eligible, says hawaii.gov.
