Hawaii TANF

Hawaii TANF is a time-limited welfare program that provides cash assistance and supportive services to needy families with children, helping low-income families work toward self-sufficiency.

As a condition of eligibility, work-eligible participants are required to participate in Hawaii’s First-To-Work Program (FTW) beginning with an initial 21-day up-front assisted job search program.

Support services are also available to participants of FTW such as child care subsidies, transportation reimbursement, tuition and books for education, and work-related expenses.

FAQ

Who is eligible for TANF in Hawaii?

To be considered for TANF in Hawaii, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
Be a resident of the state of Hawaii.
Be unemployed or under employed for very low wages.
Be pregnant or have a child under age 19.
Have countable income within certain limits as shown below. ¹

What is the income limit for TANF in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, a family of three is considered “needy” if its countable income is less than $2,941 per month. Resources are excluded in determining eligibility.

The income limits for families of different sizes are listed in the table below.

Household Size	Income Limit
2	$2,340
3	$2,941
4	$3,544
5	$4,147
6	$4,750
7	$5,353
8	$5,957

The amounts shown represent income eligibility thresholds by household size. Families with income at or below these limits may be eligible for TANF benefits.

How much do I get for TANF in Hawaii?

Hawaii provides the poorest families of three with up to $985 per month for the first two months, followed by $788 per month thereafter. ²

Household Size	Payment
2	$784
3	$985
4	$1,187
5	$1,390
6	$1,592
7	$1,794
8	$1,996

The amounts shown represent the maximum monthly cash benefits available to families with no countable income. Actual payments may vary based on a family’s income and other eligibility factors.

For households participating in the First-to-Work program, Hawaii also provides a housing supplement of up to $500 per month to households.

How do I apply for TANF in Hawaii?

You may apply for benefits in person at a DHS Processing Center near you ³ or through Public Assistance Information System (PAIS) for faster processing.

An interview with an eligibility worker will be arranged to determine your eligibility. In most cases, benefits will be paid from that filing date if you’re eligible.

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

What documents do I need to apply for TANF in Hawaii?

When you apply for TANF cash assistance in Hawaii, you may be asked to provide all or some of the following documents:

A valid photo ID
Social Security numbers for the people applying (or proof that you have applied for them)
Proof of residency (where you live), such as a lease or a utility bill
Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status
Proof of your children’s identity and their relationship to you, such as birth certificates
Proof of earned and unearned income for everyone in your household, such as pay stubs
Proof of other resources, such as bank statements, if the state asks for them
Proof of pregnancy, if you are applying while pregnant
Information about the children’s other parent, such as a name and last known address, which states use for child support
Any additional documents needed to verify your household’s situation

Each state sets its own rules, and what you need may depend on your situation. If you are not sure what to bring, contact Hawaii DHS (DHS) at (855) 643-1643 and they can tell you exactly what your application requires.

How do I apply for general assistance in Hawaii?

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.

Currently, the monthly benefit is about $469 per month a month for those with assets not exceeding $2,000 for a single person and $3,000 for a couple.

For more information about the GA Program, visit
www.humanservices.hawaii.gov

Sources & notes

Data and figures on this page come from the sources and notes below:

To qualify for this financial assistance, a family must include children under the age of 18 and have gross income below 185% of the 2006 Federal Poverty level (FPL). For a family of three, this means the gross monthly income must be less than $2,941. ↩
Standard of Assistance (SOA) is reduced by 20% after the family received two (2) full months of benefits and is applicable to mandatory work required TANF households, effective July 1, 2009. ↩
For a list of centers, please visit the DHS website . ↩