Posts: 4,771
Threads: 119
Joined: Mar 2014
Instead of funding SNAP for a month ($725 million annually in Hawaii) the state has decided to fund this scheme of rent and utility relief because S.N.A.P. did not get funded in the shutdown due to the Democrats refusing to and blaming Republicans...
So the state decided that spending $100 million and having people fill out applications and process those applications was more efficient than spending about $59 million to simply fund S.N.A.P for a month, which would most likely be reimbursed back to the state after this is over. Note that Green admits that $59 million won't be spent in the grocery stores due to this, which obviously, will further compound the issue.
"Applications are being accepted beginning today for needy residents with children to apply for rent and utility assistance, as federal SNAP benefits for 165,000 island residents are scheduled to be suspended on Saturday at the same time that rent and mortgage payments will come due.
Gov. Josh Green announced today that he will provide residents with children up to four months of federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funding worth $100 million through the new Hawaiʻi Relief Program.
The program is designed to help low-income residents with children deal with the suspension of the federal food assistance program at the same that the federal government shutdown continues, resulting in no paychecks for thousands of federal employees in Hawaii who have been lining up at island food banks.
Suspending SNAP funding means that nearly $59 million a month in benefits would not be spent in retail grocery stores...."
Tribune-Herald article
Posts: 921
Threads: 57
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 2,168
Threads: 25
Joined: Oct 2016
He’s back!
The state doesn’t fund SNAP, the federal government does. And btw, those funds were already appropriated and our notorious president is illegally withholding them.
Posts: 4,771
Threads: 119
Joined: Mar 2014
(10-30-2025, 03:05 AM)Durian Fiend Wrote: He’s back!
The state doesn’t fund SNAP, the federal government does. And btw, those funds were already appropriated and our notorious president is illegally withholding them.
Yes, the federal government funds SNAP. Some states are funding it themselves for November. Hawaii decided to come up with this scheme of rent and utility bill payments. Maximum monthly Hawaii TANF payments for a family of three is $610 and based upon the qualifications, that same family would have had anywhere from $800-$1000 in SNAP and that SNAP money is directly spent in Hawaii, on food. The article even mentions that this $100 million scheme will benefit about 1/3 of the folks currently eligible for SNAP in Hawaii. So they know this will only help 1/3 instead of spending less and helping all? Yep, those Hawaii Democrats sure are helping the less fortunate, aren't they?
Posts: 2,168
Threads: 25
Joined: Oct 2016
(10-30-2025, 01:05 PM)leilanidude Wrote: (10-30-2025, 03:05 AM)Durian Fiend Wrote: He’s back!
The state doesn’t fund SNAP, the federal government does. And btw, those funds were already appropriated and our notorious president is illegally withholding them.
Yes, the federal government funds SNAP. Some states are funding it themselves for November. Hawaii decided to come up with this scheme of rent and utility bill payments. Maximum monthly Hawaii TANF payments for a family of three is $610 and based upon the qualifications, that same family would have had anywhere from $800-$1000 in SNAP and that SNAP money is directly spent in Hawaii, on food. The article even mentions that this $100 million scheme will benefit about 1/3 of the folks currently eligible for SNAP in Hawaii. So they know this will only help 1/3 instead of spending less and helping all? Yep, those Hawaii Democrats sure are helping the less fortunate, aren't they?
I don't understand their reasoning either. The assistance is apparently for rent and utilities instead of food, and is extended to those showing need besides SNAP recipients. Does Hawaii have an inordinate number of workers who will be missing paychecks soon? IDK
Posts: 667
Threads: 21
Joined: Jul 2003
my prediction is that snap will get funded so this is just nothing
Posts: 4,144
Threads: 123
Joined: May 2009
leilanidude - Yep, those Hawaii Democrats sure are helping the less fortunate, aren't they?
Hawaii is one of only a handful states that is providing any support at all - how that compare to the other states you reside in? However, Hawaii is trying not to be stuck with the bill from the federal mismanagement so are tapping federal TANF funds to replace, in part, federal SNAP funds, instead of draining state funds.
Across all states and territories, a few (e.g. California, Connecticut, New Hampshire...) are providing extra support for food banks and non-profits, a few are trying to replace SNAP funds in part or whole (e.g. Virgin Islands, Guam, Louisiana, Virginia...), but most are not taking any action to fill the gap.
Regardless, I'm sure though you'll be the model of care and giving leilanidude and do everything you can to support those in your multi-state community and advocate that your other state's reps to do something, anything really, as this topic matters so much to you.
Posts: 1,676
Threads: 36
Joined: Jun 2020
10-30-2025, 08:42 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-31-2025, 04:53 AM by MyManao.)
(10-29-2025, 09:56 PM)leilanidude Wrote: ..the shutdown due to the Democrats refusing to and blaming Republicans..
As to local efforts to help those who may get cut off (I say may because I suspect there's a lot of wheels turning to prevent that from happening) Vibrant Hawaii has posted a list of food distribution events on their website here..
https://www.vibranthawaii.org/alohainaction
That cover the east side of the island. There are others, on other sides, that can also be found at the link above.. but for the east side these are the events listed.. you can sign up by clicking on the associated link, or go to their website to learn more..
Puna Mākaukau Fern Acres
11-3602 Lehua Street, Mountain View, 96771
Wed.
3:30 PM
4:30PM-5:30PM
Opens 10/30 at 4PM: Click Here
Fern Forest Association
11-2864 Ala Kapena St. Mountain View, 96771
Wed.
5:30 PM
6:00PM-7:00PM
Opens 10/30 at 4PM: Click Here
Hawaiian Acres Resilience Hub
16-1325 Moho Rd. Kurtistown, 96760
Wed.
3:30 PM
4:00PM-5:00PM
Opens 10/30 at 4PM: Click Here
Sure Foundation Church
16-1592 Pohaku Circle, Keaʻau 96749
Wed.
1:00 PM
1:30PM-2:30PM
Opens 10/30 at 4PM: Click Here
Puna Hongwanji
16-492 Old Volcano Rd, Keaʻau 96749
Wed.
2:30 PM
3:00PM-4:00PM
Opens 10/30 at 4PM: Click Here
St Augustine's Episcopal Church
54-3801 Akoni Pule Highway, Kapaʻau 96755
Thurs.
3:00 PM
4:30PM-5:30PM
Opens 10/30 at 5PM: Click Here
Kailapa Community Pavilion
61-4016 Kai Opae Pl. Waimea, 96743
Thurs.
2:30 PM
3:00PM-4:00PM
Opens 10/30 at 5PM: Click Here
Kaiāulu O Waikoloa
68-1850 Pua Melia St. Waikoloa 96738
Thurs.
2:30 PM
3:00PM-4:00PM
Opens 10/30 at 5PM: Click Here
Honokaʻa Community Complex
45-541 Lehua St. Honokaʻa 96727
Fri.
4:00 PM
5:30PM-6:30PM
Opens 10/30 at 6PM: Click Here
Laupāhoehoe Church
36-106 Puʻualaea Homestead Road, Laupāhoehoe 96764
Fri.
2:00 PM
4:00PM-5:00PM
Opens 10/30 at 6PM: Click Here
Onomea Farm Hub
28-1099 Old Mamalahoa Hwy, Pepeʻekeo 96783
Fri.
2:30 PM
3:00PM-4:00PM
Opens 10/30 at 6PM: Click Here
Pāpaʻikou Gym (Frank M. Santos Park Pavilion)
27-228 Maluna Place, Pāpaʻikou 96781
Fri.
1:30 PM
2:00PM-3:00PM
Opens 10/30 at 6PM: Click Here
Posts: 921
Threads: 57
Joined: Oct 2021
as usual they deflect ,
call names and ignore
the elephant in the room LD.
.
SMH
Posts: 5,391
Threads: 85
Joined: Feb 2009
I was at Safeway yesterday and after you scan your debit card a message pops up to suggest you donate to the Hawaii food bank because of the snap snafu.
I thought that was a nice gesture so I donated.
|
