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Stimulus plan boosts state's food aid 13.6%
110,000 in Hawaii to get stimulus money for food
STORY SUMMARY | READ THE FULL STORYThe federal economic stimulus package will help 110,000 island food stamp recipients and the markets where they shop starting April 1.
Recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, formerly known as food stamps, will see their monthly cash benefits boosted by 13.6 percent. For a family of three, that means nearly an additional $100 a month.
State Department of Human Services officials believe many more working people would qualify for aid under the program. Benefits now go to people earning up to 130 percent of the federal poverty guideline, which is now $21,060 for a family of three.
The state plans to raise the income limit to 200 percent of the poverty line. But the bad news is that it will not happen quickly because rules must be rewritten and public hearings must be held.
Instead of food stamps, recipients use electronic benefits transfer cards, which may not be used for alcohol, tobacco or luxury food items.
— Mary Adamski
FULL STORY >>
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Mar 10, 2009
About 110,000 Hawaii people will have more cash for food next month as President Barack Obama's $787 billion economic stimulus package begins to trickle down to some of the neediest people in the country.
A 13.6 percent boost in monthly benefits in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly called the Hawaii Food Stamp Program, was announced yesterday by the state Department of Human Services.
Some $20 billion will be released through the U.S. Department of Agriculture to food stamp recipients across the country.
In Hawaii it will mean an increase of $38 for an individual who now receives the maximum allotment of $276, and an increase of $125 to the current $921 that a family of four receives.
People receive differing amounts depending on their income. Hawaii now gives aid to people who earn up to 130 percent of the federal poverty level.
Social agencies believe there are many more people who qualify for the aid but either do not realize it or "are reluctant to apply because they mistakenly regard SNAP as welfare," said Human Services Director Lillian Koller in the written announcement.
Koller said the department will work to bring more people into the "national safety net against hunger."
The department does not keep statistics that sort out recipients according to who qualifies because they were laid off from a job or other specific situations, said Toni Schwartz, department information officer.
One immediate change will benefit jobless adults who are able-bodied and without dependents. The USDA ordered states to suspend a policy that limited benefits to those unemployed individuals. They are entitled to full SNAP benefits as long as they comply with training and employment programs.
The department also will provide five months of transitional SNAP benefits to individuals who have started earning enough to get off the welfare roll.
Federal government figures from last year showed that more than 31 million Americans were receiving food stamps in September, about 10.3 percent of the total U.S. population.
About 110,000 Hawaii people will have more cash for food next month as President Barack Obama's $787 billion economic stimulus package begins to trickle down to some of the neediest people in the country.
A 13.6 percent boost in monthly benefits in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly called the Hawaii Food Stamp Program, was announced yesterday by the state Department of Human Services.
Some $20 billion will be released through the U.S. Department of Agriculture to food stamp recipients across the country.
In Hawaii it will mean an increase of $38 for an individual who now receives the maximum allotment of $276, and an increase of $125 to the current $921 that a family of four receives.
People receive differing amounts depending on their income. Hawaii now gives aid to people who earn up to 130 percent of the federal poverty level.
Social agencies believe there are many more people who qualify for the aid but either do not realize it or "are reluctant to apply because they mistakenly regard SNAP as welfare," said Human Services Director Lillian Koller in the written announcement.
Koller said the department will work to bring more people into the "national safety net against hunger."
The department does not keep statistics that sort out recipients according to who qualifies because they were laid off from a job or other specific situations, said Toni Schwartz, department information officer.
One immediate change will benefit jobless adults who are able-bodied and without dependents. The USDA ordered states to suspend a policy that limited benefits to those unemployed individuals. They are entitled to full SNAP benefits as long as they comply with training and employment programs.
The department also will provide five months of transitional SNAP benefits to individuals who have started earning enough to get off the welfare roll.
Federal government figures from last year showed that more than 31 million Americans were receiving food stamps in September, about 10.3 percent of the total U.S. population.
Today’s Edition
- Friends and associates join search for missing kayaker
- Legislators cancel party plans
- Teachers willing to return for restored furlough days
- Harbor officials eye fee increase
- Mammograms: Do I really need this?
- Thanksgiving Day events serve food to those in need
- Kokua Line: Insurance verification uses Social Security info
- Newswatch
- Police and Fire
- Australia's move on credit card fees may have lessons for U.S.
- At Iraqi museum, Google chief announces plan to put artifacts online
- Kona holiday fundraiser helps culinary students
- By Request: Help others and collect the year's best recipes
- The Electric Kitchen: Desserts offer options to usual pumpkin pie
- Pet Ohana
- Da Kine
- Got nutrients?
- Wahine advance to WAC final
- Medeiros catches on at slot
- Prep World: Jamora ready for Govs
- Prep World: Athletes of the Week
- Prep briefs
- Say and Look have Aiea and 'Iolani talking, watching wins
- Cincinnati rolls through Maryland at Maui Invitational
- Couples will play in Hawaii
- Local aces
- Hawaii Beat
- Scoreboard
- TV & Radio
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