SNAP helps families buy healthy food.
What is SNAP?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that helps families buy healthy food. In Hawaii, SNAP is run by the Department of Human Services (DHS) Benefit, Employment & Support Services Division (BESSD). Enrollees receive a monthly amount, usually via an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card that allows them to pay for food using SNAP benefits.
How do Food Stamps Work?
If you’re eligible for SNAP benefits, funds are added to your EBT card every month. You can use the money to buy food at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other retail outlets that accept SNAP benefits. SNAP CANNOT BE USED to buy ready-to-eat hot foods, vitamins, or alcoholic beverages.
Who Is Eligible for SNAP Benefits?
Your household must meet certain income and resource requirements to qualify for SNAP benefits. It is important to note that everyone in your household must have or have applied for a Social Security Number. You can access SNAP benefits if you are not a U.S. citizen, but you must be a permanent resident. You can also apply for SNAP benefits for children who are citizens, even if you are not. We recommend using a SNAP Eligibility Calculator to see if your income eligible for SNAP benefits. SNAP Eligibility Calculator - Hawaii
*** This Federal Poverty Limit (FPL) chart is for reference only. An intake worker will make the final determination of your eligibility category.
SNAP GROSS INCOME STANDARDS (Effective 10/1/2023)
For this situation, a household is defined by people that live together and purchase and prepare food together.
|
SNAP GROSS INCOME STANDARDS (Effective 10/1/2023) Household Size |
200% Monthly Gross Income (BBCE) (BBCE based on 100% FPL) |
130% Monthly Gross Income |
100% Net Monthly Income |
|
1 |
2796 |
1817 |
1398 |
|
2 |
3780 |
2457 |
1890 |
|
3 |
4766 |
3098 |
2383 |
|
4 |
5750 |
3738 |
2875 |
|
5 |
6736 |
4378 |
3368 |
|
6 |
7720 |
5018 |
3860 |
|
7 |
8706 |
5659 |
4353 |
|
8 |
9690 |
6299 |
4845 |
|
9 |
10676 |
6940 |
5339 |
|
10 |
11662 |
7581 |
5832 |
|
11 |
12648 |
8222 |
6325 |
|
12 |
13634 |
8863 |
6818 |
|
13 |
14620 |
9504 |
7311 |
|
14 |
15606 |
10145 |
7804 |
|
15 |
16592 |
10786 |
8297 |
|
+15 |
+986 |
+641 |
+493 |
|
Note: 200% BBCE MGI is based on 100% SNAP/FPL |
|||
How Do I Apply?
Printed applications can be mailed or dropped off to any of the Processing Centers listed below:
*To reach the Statewide Branch Support Desk, please dial toll free: 1-855-643-1643
Oahu:
Kapolei Processing Center
601 Kamokila Boulevard, Room 117
Kapolei, HI 96707
Fax: 692-7783
Email: [email protected]
Koolau Processing Center
Waikalua – Lobby remains closed until further notice
45-260 Waikalua Road Kaneohe, HI 96744
Fax: 233-3620
Email: [email protected]
Luluku Location
45-513 Luluku Road
Kaneohe, HI 96744
Fax: 233-5358
Email: [email protected]
KPT Processing Center
1485 Linapuni Street, Suite 122
Honolulu, HI 96819
Fax: 832-3392
Email: [email protected]
OR&L Processing Center
333 North King Street, Room 200
Honolulu, HI 96817
Fax: 586-8138
Email: OR&[email protected]
Pohulani Processing Center
677 Queen Street, Suite 400B
Honolulu, HI 96813
Fax: 587-5297
Email: [email protected]
Wahiawa Processing Center
1008 California Avenue, Bldg B
Wahiawa, HI 96786
Fax: 622-6484
Email: [email protected]
Waianae Processing Center
86-120 Farrington Highway, Suite A103
Waianae, HI 96792
Fax: 697-7184
Email: [email protected]
Waipahu Processing Center
94-275 Mokuola Street, Room 303A
Waipahu, HI 96797
Fax: 675-0038
Email: [email protected]
Kauai
Kauai Processing Center
Former Lihue Courthouse Building
3059 Umi Street, Room A110
Lihue, HI 96766
Fax: 808-335-844
Email: [email protected]
Maui County
Maui Processing Center
State Building 54 High St. #125
Wailuku, HI 96793
Fax: 808-984-8333
Email: [email protected]
Lunalilo Building - Lobby remains closed until further notice
35 Lunalilo St., Suite 300
Wailuku, HI 96793
Fax: 808-243-5114
Email: [email protected]
Molokai Processing Center
55 Makaena Pl. Rm. 1
Kaunakakai, HI 96748
Fax: 808-553-1720
Email: [email protected]
Mailing Address: PO Box 70,
Kaunakakai, HI 96748
Lanai Sub-Unit
730 Lanai Avenue
Lanai City, HI 96763
Fax: 808-565-6460
Email: [email protected]
Mailing Address: PO Box 631374
Lanai City, HI 96763
Hawaii Island
North Hilo Processing Center
Kulana Na’auao Building
13 Kekaulike Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Fax: 808-933-8856
Email: [email protected]
South Hilo Processing Center
Kinoole Plaza
1990 Kinoole St., Ste. 108
Hilo, HI 96720
Fax: 808-981-2819
Email: [email protected]
West Hawaii Processing Center
North Kona Office
75-5722 Hanama Pl., Ste 1105
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-4127
Fax: 808-327-4684
Email: [email protected]
South Kona Office
Captain Cook Civic Center
82-6130 Mamalahoa Hwy. Bldg. 2
Captain Cook, HI 96704
Fax: 808-323-4549
Email: [email protected]
Mailing Address:
PO Box 225
Captain Cook, HI 96704
Ka'u Office
Naalehu Civic Center
95-5669 Mamalahoa Hwy.
Naalehu, HI 96772
Fax: 808-929-9500
Email: [email protected]
Mailing Address:
PO Box 6
Naalehu, HI 96772
Kamuela-Hamakua Office - Lobby remains closed until further notice
State Office Building #1, Rm#110
45-3380 Mamane St.
Honokaa, HI 96727
Fax: 808-775-8858
Email: [email protected]
Kohala Office - Lobby remains closed until further notice
State Office Building
54-3900 Akoni Pule Hwy.
Kapaau, HI 96755
Fax: 808-889-7132
Email: [email protected]
Mailing Address:
PO Box 249
Kapaau, HI 96755
Only one member of the households needs to apply for the total household, but everyone living in the household needs to be included on the application along with their income.
What Happens After I Submit My Application?
In most cases, once you submit your application, your DHS/BESSD office will process it and send you a notice telling you whether or not you are eligible for benefits within 30 days.
During the 30 days, you will need to complete an eligibility interview and give proof (verification) of the information you provided. The interview is typically completed over the telephone or in-person. If you are found eligible, you will receive benefits based on the date you submitted your application.
If you are found eligible, you will receive SNAP benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which works like a debit card. Benefits are automatically loaded into your account each month and you can use your EBT card to buy groceries at authorized food stores and retailers.
How long will I receive SNAP?
If you are found eligible, you will receive a notice that tells you how long you will receive SNAP benefits for; this is called your certification period. Before your certification period ends, you will receive another notice that says you must recertify to continue receiving benefits. Your local SNAP office will provide you with information about how to recertify.
What Can You Purchase with SNAP?
Any food for the household, such as:
- Fruits and vegetables;
- Meat, poultry, and fish;
- Dairy products;
- Breads and cereals;
- Infant formula
- Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages; and
- Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat.
Households CANNOT use SNAP benefits to buy:
- Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco
- Vitamins, medicines, and supplements. If an item has a Supplement Facts label, it is considered a supplement and is not eligible for SNAP purchase.
- Live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered prior to pick-up from the store).
- Foods that are hot at the point of sale
- Any nonfood items such as:
- Pet foods
- Cleaning supplies, paper products, and other household supplies.
- Hygiene items, cosmetics
Can I Receive SNAP if I am on the GI Bill?
Military veterans and others who are taking advantage of the GI Bill program are sometimes curious if GI Bill money or BAH income is counted towards the income requirements for SNAP. The answer is yes, BAH income is typically counted towards your gross income when determining if you are eligible for food stamps. As such, your GI Bill benefits do contribute to your income, even though that income is temporary and not taxed. Receiving BAH does not stop you from being eligible for food stamps outright, it is just included in the income calculation.
For more information or to apply visit: Benefit, Employment & Support Services | SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) (hawaii.gov)