HAWAII

Hawaiʻi Relief Program

Hawaii has launched the Hawaiʻii Relief Program  which will provide up to four months of TANF support for housing and utility payments for eligible families who have at least one dependent child in their household and are in financial crisis or have an episode of need.

According to Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), eligible family may receive up to $6,000 for rent/mortgage for up to 4 months and up to $2,000 per month for utilities.

Launched in late 2025, this program serves Hawaii households with dependent children or someone in their third trimester of pregnancy with an income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Applications for the Hawaiʻi Relief Program will be accepted starting Wednesday, October 29, 2025 until all allocated funds are distributed.

If you are ineligible for HRP, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) offers a separate I Ola Emergency Relief Fund  providing grocery gift cards up to $350 or federal worker assistance up to $1,200.

Hawaii Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Hawaii TANF provides temporary cash assistance to financially needy families with children and is designed to help low-income families work toward self-sufficiency.

To qualify for cash assistance, an applicant must be responsible for a child under age 19. Pregnant women may also qualify during pregnancy.

As a condition of eligibility, work-ready participants must participate in Hawaii’s First-To-Work (FTW) program for a specified number of hours per week, unless exempt.

How much is cash assistance in Hawaii?

Hawaii offers the poorest families of three with up to $763 per month for the first two months, including a housing supplement of up to $500 per month to eligible households.

How do I apply for cash assistance in Hawaii?

You may apply for benefits in person at a DHS Processing Center near you or through Public Assistance Information System  (PAIS) for faster processing.

Adults without minor dependents ages 18—64 who are temporarily disabled and who do not qualify for public assistance may apply for Hawaii’s General Assistance.

Hawaii Department of Human Services
Public Assistance Information Line
(855) 643-1643

Hawaii Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Hawaii SNAP helps put healthy food within reach for low-income Hawaiians, including working families, older adults, and people with disabilities.

Due to a higher cost of living, Hawaii boasts the highest monthly SNAP benefit per household member. For example, a family of three in Hawaii with little or no income may receive as much as $1,334 in monthly benefits.

SNAP benefits are distributed through the state’s Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system which can be used at any grocery store and for services like meals-on-wheels.

What is the income limit for SNAP in Hawaii?

Hawaii allows households with income up to 200% of the state’s poverty guidelines to qualify for SNAP benefits. For a family of three, this equals $5,108 in gross monthly income or $2,554 in net monthly income.

Those who have less than $150 per month in income and $100 or less in cash may apply for Emergency SNAP and have their first benefits within 7 days.

Hawaii Department of Human Services
Public Assistance Information Line
(855) 643-1643

Hawaii SUN Bucks

Summer EBT, which is rebranded as SUN Bucks, is a new and permanent program to provide benefits to households with school-aged children to purchase food during the summer.

In Hawaiʻi, households with school-aged keiki (ages 6—18) will receive a SUN Bucks EBT card loaded with $177 per eligible child, to be spent during the summer months.

SUN Bucks can be used to purchase the same foods approved for SNAP, including

• Breads and cereals
• Fruits and vegetables
• Meats, fish and poultry
• Dairy products
• Seeds and plants which produce food for the household to eat
• Soft drinks, candy, cookies, snack crackers and ice cream
• Seafood, steak and bakery cakes

Applications for SUN Bucks can be submitted online  for anyone who did not receive the benefit through the automated process.

For questions or help with the application, contact
SUN Bucks Customer Service
(888)-975-7328

Hawaii Med-QUEST

Medicaid is known as Med-QUEST in Hawaii. QUEST stands for Quality care, Universal access, Efficient utilization, Stabilizing costs, and Transforming the way health care is provided to recipients.

Hawaii Med-QUEST provides Medicaid coverage to low-income Hawaii residents, including adults, children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities, based on specific income and asset limits.

Once eligible for Medicaid, Med-QUEST assigns you to a health plan right away. You have the option to either stick with the assigned plan or select an alternative within 15 days.

There are five health plans currently available to choose from:

1. AlohaCare
2. Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA)
3. Kaiser Permanente
4. ‘Ohana Health Plan
5. UnitedHealthcare Community Plan

‘Ohana and UnitedHealthcare cover all counties, including Hawaii, Honolulu, Kalawao, while Kaiser Permanente is focused on the islands of Oahu and Maui.

What is the income limit for Hawaii Med-QUEST?

Hawaii adopted Medicaid expansion through the Affordable Care Act, extending eligibility for Medicaid to adults age 19—64 with income up to 138% of the poverty level.

Children under age 19 in families with income up to 313% of the poverty level or about $7,995 per month for a family of three are eligible for Med-QUEST.

Hawaii allows children under age 6 to receive uninterrupted Medicaid coverage until their 6th birthday, and children ages 6 to 19 receive coverage for two years at a time.

How do I apply for Med-QUEST Hawaii?

You can apply for Med-QUEST online through My Medical Benefits  or in person one of the Med-QUEST Division eligibility offices located on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, or Hawaii Island.

Hawaii Department of Human Services
Med-QUEST Customer Service
(800) 316-8005

Hawaii Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Hawaii WIC is a nutrition program that provides eligible Hawaii residents with supplemental foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and referrals to health and social services.

It serves pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, and infants and children up to age 5 who are determined to be “at nutritional risk”.

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for WIC:

1. Live in Hawaii.
2. Be a pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding woman, an infant or a child under 5 years old.
3. Have a household income less than 185% of the federal poverty limit.
4. Have a nutritional need or risk.

What’s the income limit for WIC in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, WIC eligibility is based on household income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. That’s about $4,725 per month for a family of three.

How to apply for WIC in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, there are 15 local agencies operating 28 WIC clinics statewide. To apply for WIC, locate the nearest WIC clinic  to schedule an appointment.

Hawaii Department of Health
Main WIC Office
(808) 586-8175

Maui WIC Clinic
781 Kolu Street, Room A-1
Wailuku, HI 96793
(808) 984-8225

Child Care Connection Hawaii (CCCH)

Child Care Connection Hawaii (CCCH) provides subsidized child care for eligible families with children under 13 who meet the income eligibility and activity requirements.

The amount of subsidy varies based on the family’s gross monthly income, family size, and the type and cost of care. Because it is a subsidy, the parent may also be required to pay a portion of the child care costs on a sliding scale.

What is the income limit for child care assistance in Hawaii?

A family is considered “income eligible ” when their gross monthly income is at or below 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) for the family size. For example, a household of three may have an income of $7,998 or less per month and still qualify.

Is child care assistance available on Maui?

Yes, families on Maui can apply for Child Care Connection Hawaii (CCCH) and Preschool Open Doors, which are statewide child care subsidy programs that serve all islands, including Maui County.

Eligibility is based on factors like income, family size, and parents’ work or training status, not on which island you live, so Maui families follow the same basic rules.

The Alu Like Native Hawaiian Child Care Assistance Program is another resource available for Hawaiian families and can be reached at 535-1300.

How do I apply for child care subsidy in Hawaii?

Applications for child care subsidy are accepted statewide, year-round, at your nearest CCCH office , except for the Preschool Open Doors (POD) program which has a limited open enrollment period during the spring of each year.

A completed application along with supporting documents, and an intake interview is required before eligibility can be established.

Families may also apply online through Hawaii Child Care Subsidy Portal  or download the Application for Child Care Services (DHS 911) and mail the application along with supporting documents to:

Child Care Subsidy Unit
94-275 Mokuola Street, Room 105
Waipahu, Hawaii 96797
(808) 675-0650

Hawaii Preschool Open Doors (POD)

The application period for 3- and 4-year-olds for the 2025—2026 school year will close at 4:30 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time (HST) on January 30, 2026.

Hawaii’s Preschool Open Doors (POD) program is a separate subsidy program for eligible families with children in the two years before they enter kindergarten.

POD helps children ages 2–4 attend preschool by helping families pay preschool costs, with priority given to under-served or at-risk children. Families will have co-payments capped at 3% of their gross monthly income or $45 per month, whichever is lower.

What is the income limit for preschool open doors Hawaii?

Eligibility for POD has been raised to 500% of the federal poverty level, effective January 1, 2026, making it accessible to more middle-income households.¹

The application period is open year-round, but there is a priority application period in the spring. Families may apply through Hawaii Child Care Subsidy Portal  or call PATCH Hawaii to request an application.

PATCH Hawaii
560 North Nimitz Highway, Suite 218,
Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 791-2130

Hawaii Section 8

Through Section 8 Program, the Hawaii Public Housing Authority helps eligible Hawaii residents with rental assistance to afford housing in the private rental market.

Under the program, subsidies are paid directly to landlords on behalf of participating households, which are then responsible for paying the difference between the subsidy and the actual rent.

Eligibility is income-based  and tied to Area Median Income (AMI) limits set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Generally, households must have income at or below 50% of AMI for their county to qualify, with priority often given to extremely low-income households below 30% of AMI.

Is Section 8 in Hawaii open?

Many local waiting lists for Section 8 vouchers in Hawaii are closed or periodically opened for limited application periods due to high demand and limited funding.

When the waitlist is reopened, there will be newspaper and website announcements. To check its availability, please call (808) 768-7096.

Hawaii Department of Community Services
Community Assistance Division
(808) 768-7096

Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program (H-HEAP)

Hawaii HEAP helps pay home heating or cooling costs for low-income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes and the highest home energy costs, through either:

Energy Credit (EC)

To help eligible low-income households offset the cost of their regular home energy bills, such as electricity or gas, by providing a one-time credit applied directly to the utility account.

Applications for Energy Credit (EC) are accepted during the month of June only. Applications for the 2025 program year are currently closed and will re-open in June 2026.

Energy Crisis Intervention (ECI)

For households facing an immediate energy-related crisis, such as receiving a utility shutoff or disconnection notice from the utility company.

Unlike EC, applications for Energy Crisis Intervention (ECI) are accepted year-round. Eligible households may receive a one-time credit of up to $700.

What is the income limit for HEAP in Hawaii?

H-HEAP serves those with a household income of no more than 60% of the State Median Income (SMI). That’s about $5,646 per month for a family of three.

How do I apply for HEAP in Hawaii?

Applications for HEAP are handled locally through agencies such as Honolulu Community Action Program (HCAP) on Oʻahu or Kōkua Kalihi Valley.

To apply for H-HEAP, contact the Hawaii LIHEAP Program Office to locate the Community Action Agency that serves your island.

Hawaii Department of Human Services
LIHEAP Program Office
(808) 586-5740

Hawaii Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

NOTICE: Funding is no longer available for LIHWAP. Households may not receive LIHWAP benefits at this time.

Hawaii LIHWAP provides water and wastewater assistance to needy Hawaii households by assisting with a one-time payment toward their water or wastewater bill.

Households facing the threat of disconnection, or those that have already been disconnected, may be eligible for LIHWAP.

Regardless of income, the household qualifies if there is at least one person in the household that receives LIHEAP, TANF, SNAP (Food Stamps) or SSI benefits.

How do I get help paying my water bill in Hawaii?

If you are in danger of falling behind on your water bills and need help, please submit your application through the Community Action Agency  that serves your island.

Hawaii Unemployment Insurance

Hawaii Unemployment Insurance (UI) offers temporary financial assistance to Hawaiian workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own.

In order to be eligible for unemployment benefits, you must have earned a minimum amount of wages in a recent ‘base period ’ and must have:

1. wages in at least two quarters in the first four calendar quarters out of the last five completed calendar quarters (base period), and
2. total base-period wages of at least 26 times your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA).

For example, if your calculated WBA is $200, your total base-period wages must be at least $5,200 (26 × $200), and with wages in at least two quarters during the base period.

How much unemployment benefits can I get in Hawaii?

Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $868 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.

How do I file my weekly unemployment claim in Hawaii?

Effective October 1, 2014, Hawaii’s telephone claim filing will no longer be available. All claims must be filed online at https://huiclaims.hawaii.gov .

Hawaii requires claimants to register with HireNet Hawaii , post an online resume, and make at least three job contacts each week.

Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
Unemployment Insurance Division
(808) 762-5752

Hawaii Promise

Hawaii Promise is a last-dollar need-based scholarship program for eligible Hawaiʻi residents attending University of Hawaii (UH) Community Colleges.

For eligible students, Hawaiʻi Promise provides the “last dollar” to cover any remaining direct costs, like tuition, fees, books, and supplies, after other forms of financial aid are applied.

Scholarships are awarded if needed for any additional unmet costs and are based upon enrollment level, financial need, and other financial resources.

No separate application is required. Students are automatically considered for the Hawai‘i Promise when they submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Hawaii Earned Income Tax Credit (HI-EITC)

Hawaii EITC is a special tax credit for working families in Hawaii. It’s a simple idea that helps lower-income workers — especially single parents — keep more of what they earn.

The state’s EITC has been expanded from 20% of the federal EITC to 40%. This gives Hawaii one of the strongest state level EITCs in the nation.

For tax years beginning after December 31, 2022, the credit is fully refundable, meaning eligible filers can receive a refund for any amount of the credit that exceeds their income tax liability.

How much is Hawaii Earned Income Credit?

Can I get a refund if I owe no tax in Hawaii?

If your Hawaii EITC is $3,218 and you owe $2,000 in state income tax, the credit cancels your tax bill and you receive the remaining $1,218 as a refund as illustrated in the table below:

To claim the credit, file both both Form N-356 and Schedule CR with your Hawaii state tax return.