HONOLULU ( Island News) — Thousands of Hawaii residents could potentially lose food assistance benefits, under proposed changes by the federal government.
SNAP benefits can make a big difference in people’s lives. Not just for those who use them, but also the local businesses that accept them.
On average 141,000 people in Hawaii receive SNAP benefits every month.
But those numbers could drop significantly because of newly proposed changes by the federal government.
Thousands of Hawaii residents could potentially lose food assistance benefits, under proposed changes by the federal government.
“We would have to go back to counting assets for the majority of households, and the gross income limit would go down from 200% of federal poverty level to 130% of federal poverty level,” said Scott Morishige, the Administrator for Hawaii’s Benefits, Employment & Support Services Division.
That means a family of four with a gross monthly income of $6,326, which is currently eligible, would not qualify. Because the monthly income limit would be reduced to $4,112 each month.
Right now, Hawaii is also able to waive certain requirements for residents, but under the proposed changes would not be able to do so.
“The other factor that we’re concerned about is: By counting assets and having reinstating these stricter income limits and also reinstating the net income limit, it increases the administrative burden for our staff and the risk of payment error,” added Morishige.
One Kalihi woman, who didn’t want her name or face shown on TV, said she would like to get SNAP benefits.
“It would help me a lot because I’m not working now. I am a caregiver for my brother, working about eight and a half hours a week. So that’s nothing really, but then to get a job, I’m having hard time.”
She adds she does not get SNAP because of current restrictions, like work requirements, along with all the red tape to receive benefits.
“The telephone interview, takes like all day. And then by the time you realize it’s 3 o’clock, then you can’t get the interview. Then next day or two days after, they’re already denying you. Then you got to reapply, do all of that again. It’s not worth it. I gotta go food bank instead.”
It is not just residents running into red tape.
“We have a new owner. He applied for federal EBT approval for us to allow the customer to be able to purchase things on food stamps. But we’re still waiting for the approval. The government is giving him the runaround,” said Cindy Johnson, a worker at Sunny’s Mart in Kalihi.
The owner of Sunny’s Mart said he applied for federal approval back in August but his application has been repeatedly delayed.
That was confirmed by a phone call with the USDA, where a representative said it normally takes 4-6 weeks but because of a backlog, they don’t know how long it will take.
While Hawaii waits to see if the federal government will puts more restrictions on SNAP benefits, workers at Sunny’s Mart also wait for the ability to help customers use those benefits.
“We lose a lot of customers. Everybody comes in, start shopping and brings things up here to the counter. Then when they’re gonna use EBT, I tell them ‘Sorry, you can’t. Not yet.’ EBT is coming soon,” said Johnson.
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