GOV. IGE DECLARES EMERGENCY RELIEF PERIOD TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY

News Release from Office of the Governor, Jul 22, 2022

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige signed a third emergency proclamation to allow the continuation of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in line with the federal COVID emergency.

“Many Hawaiʻi families continue to suffer from food insecurity as they struggle to provide food for themselves and their families because of the effects of the pandemic. Without additional support from SNAP, families may experience food insecurity, which poses a threat to the health, safety and welfare of our communities and constitutes this emergency declaration. The Department of Human Services remains committed to providing food security for our vulnerable community members,” said Gov. Ige.

SNAP is managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is the largest food nutrition assistance program in the country. It benefits eligible low-income individuals and families through an Electronic Benefits Transfer card, which can be used to purchase eligible food items in authorized retail stores.

The disaster emergency relief period continues through September 20, 2022.

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THIRD EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION RELATED TO SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

From Office of the Governor, July 22, 2022 (excerpt)

…I, DAVID Y. IGE, Governor of the State of Hawaii, hereby determine that an emergency or disaster contemplated by section 127A-14, HRS, continues in the State of Hawaii, and do hereby declare the existence of a state of emergency for the limited purpose of administering the available SNAP emergency allotment relief to alleviate food insecurity for individuals and families during the national public health emergency.

I FURTHER DECLARE that the disaster emergency relief period shall continue through September 20, 2022, or until terminated by a separate proclamation, or until the national public health emergency period related to the COVID-19 pandemic terminates, whichever shall occur first….

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HHS July 15, 2022: RENEWAL OF DETERMINATION THAT A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY EXISTS (90 days)

PHE: HHS will provide states with 60 days notice prior to the termination of the public health emergency declaration for COVID-19.  

CS: Hunger continues to be a problem in Hawaii, Ige says

KITV: Gov. Ige extends SNAP program and many residents say this is a big help