Hawaii residents may qualify for help with food, health coverage, cash assistance, child care, energy costs, unemployment, housing, and other basic needs. The programs below are based primarily on official Hawaii State and U.S. government information.
1. SNAP Food Assistance
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps eligible low-income households buy food. Hawaii administers SNAP through the Department of Human Services (DHS). Benefits are generally issued through the Hawaii EBT system.
Eligibility depends on household circumstances, including income, household size, expenses, citizenship or qualified immigration status, and other program rules. Hawaii publishes current eligibility standards and application information on its official SNAP page.
Apply or learn more:
Hawaii SNAP Program and Application Information
You can also use the state’s online Public Assistance Information System:
Apply for SNAP or Financial Assistance through PAIS
Public Assistance Information Line: 1-855-643-1643.
2. Hawaii Medicaid and QUEST Integration
Hawaii’s Med-QUEST Division administers Medicaid programs. Eligible residents may receive health coverage through QUEST Integration and other Medicaid programs.
Coverage and eligibility can apply to groups including children, adults, parents and caretaker relatives, pregnant people, former foster youth, seniors, and people with disabilities, depending on program requirements.
There are several ways to apply, including online, by phone, or by submitting an application form.
Apply for Hawaii Medicaid:
Hawaii Med-QUEST Application Information
Med-QUEST Customer Service: 1-800-316-8005.
3. TANF and TAONF Cash Assistance
Hawaii offers two major cash assistance programs for eligible families with children:
- TANF — Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- TAONF — Temporary Assistance for Other Needy Families
These programs can provide monthly cash assistance for basic needs such as food, clothing, housing, utilities, and other household expenses. Eligibility rules differ based on family circumstances and program requirements. Hawaii also operates the First-To-Work program to help eligible participants with employment, training, education, job search, and supportive services.
Official program information:
Hawaii TANF and TAONF Information
Applications for financial assistance can be started through:
Hawaii PAIS Financial Assistance Portal
4. General Assistance (GA)
Hawaii’s General Assistance program may help certain adults ages 18 through 64 who:
- Do not have minor dependent children.
- Are temporarily disabled.
- Have little or no income.
- Do not qualify for another federal category of assistance.
- Meet Hawaii’s medical and financial eligibility requirements.
The program provides cash assistance for basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and other essentials.
Learn more:
Hawaii General Assistance Program
5. Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD)
The AABD program provides state cash assistance to certain Hawaii residents who are:
- Age 65 or older.
- Blind.
- Disabled under applicable program standards.
The program is intended to help eligible people who have limited income and resources and may not qualify for, or may receive only limited, federal benefits.
Official information:
Hawaii AABD Program
6. Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program (H-HEAP)
H-HEAP is Hawaii’s energy assistance program. It may help eligible low-income households with home energy costs.
The program is administered through community action agencies serving the individual islands. Hawaii’s DHS advises applicants to apply through the appropriate agency serving their island rather than submitting H-HEAP applications directly to DHS offices.
Learn about eligibility and applications:
Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program (H-HEAP)
7. Child Care Subsidy and Preschool Open Doors
Hawaii offers child care assistance programs for eligible families.
Child Care Subsidy
The Child Care Subsidy program helps eligible low-income families pay for child care while parents or caretakers work, attend school, or participate in job training. Eligibility includes income and activity requirements.
Preschool Open Doors
Preschool Open Doors provides subsidies for eligible families with children in the years before kindergarten. The program has its own eligibility and enrollment rules.
Apply or learn more:
Hawaii Child Care Subsidy Program
8. WIC for Women, Infants, and Children
Hawaii WIC provides eligible participants with:
- Supplemental nutritious foods.
- Nutrition education.
- Breastfeeding support and promotion.
- Referrals to health and social services.
WIC may be available to eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum women, infants, and children under age five who meet program requirements.
Official Hawaii WIC website:
Hawaii WIC Program
9. Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Hawaii Unemployment Insurance may provide temporary income to eligible workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own and meet state eligibility requirements.
Applicants can generally file a claim online through Hawaii’s unemployment claims system. The state advises applicants to have identification, employment history, and other required information available before filing.
File an unemployment claim or learn more:
Hawaii Unemployment Insurance Application Information
UI Call Center: (808) 762-5752 or (833) 901-2272.
10. Disaster Unemployment Assistance
In certain federally declared disaster situations, additional unemployment assistance may become available for workers, self-employed individuals, farmers, and others whose employment is directly affected by the disaster and who do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits.
For example, Hawaii announced Disaster Unemployment Assistance related to the March 2026 storms, floods, landslides, and mudslides in certain counties. Disaster programs are time-limited and eligibility depends on the specific disaster declaration.
Check current Hawaii UI and disaster assistance information:
Hawaii Unemployment Insurance Division
11. Food Programs for Seniors
Hawaii’s Office of Community Services administers federal food assistance programs, including the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).
CSFP is designed to supplement the diets of eligible low-income adults age 60 and older. Applicants must meet applicable age, income, and residency requirements.
Official information:
Hawaii Federal Food Assistance Programs for Seniors
12. Emergency Food Assistance
People facing an immediate food shortage can use Hawaii’s Department of Health food security resources to find emergency food assistance and island-specific information.
Find emergency food resources:
Hawaii Emergency Food Assistance Resources
How to Apply for Hawaii Public Assistance
For SNAP and financial assistance, start with Hawaii DHS’s Public Assistance Information System.
Hawaii PAIS Benefits Application System
For Medicaid, use the Hawaii Med-QUEST application system or contact Med-QUEST for assistance.
Apply for Hawaii Medicaid through Med-QUEST
For child care assistance, use the Hawaii DHS Child Care Subsidy application process.
Apply for Hawaii Child Care Assistance
Hawaii Public Assistance Programs at a Glance
| Program | Type of Help |
|---|---|
| SNAP | Money for eligible food purchases |
| Med-QUEST / Medicaid | Health insurance and medical coverage |
| TANF | Temporary cash assistance for eligible families |
| TAONF | State-funded cash assistance for eligible families |
| General Assistance | Cash aid for certain temporarily disabled adults |
| AABD | Cash assistance for eligible aged, blind, or disabled residents |
| H-HEAP | Help with qualifying home energy costs |
| Child Care Subsidy | Help paying for eligible child care |
| Preschool Open Doors | Preschool tuition assistance for eligible families |
| WIC | Food, nutrition, and breastfeeding support |
| Unemployment Insurance | Temporary income for eligible unemployed workers |
| CSFP | Supplemental food assistance for eligible seniors |
Important Note
Eligibility, income limits, benefit amounts, application periods, and program rules can change. The best approach is to use the official Hawaii government links above and submit an application if you believe you may qualify. Hawaii DHS lists SNAP, financial assistance, child care, General Assistance, AABD, H-HEAP, homeless services, and related programs through its Benefit, Employment & Support Services Division.
