DHS ANNOUNCES SNAP REPLACEMENT BENEFITS FOR CURRENT RECIPIENTS AFFECTED BY TROPICAL CYCLONE LALA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 18, 2026

HONOLULU - The Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services (DHS) is announcing an important update regarding the replacement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits following severe weather, flooding and power outages associated with Tropical Cyclone Lala.

This assistance is for current SNAP recipients who experienced food loss due to household misfortune, such as extended power outages (over four hours or longer) or flooding across the state.

SNAP replacement benefits allow eligible households to be reimbursed for food, purchased with SNAP benefits, that was destroyed. The replacement amount will be based on the value of food lost, not to exceed the total monthly SNAP benefit issued to the household.

Governor Josh Green emphasized the importance of supporting families recovering from Tropical Cyclone Lala. "Mahalo to everyone across Hawaiʻi who is working to recover from the impacts of this disaster. Our priority is ensuring that families have access to essential resources as they rebuild, including the ability to replace food that was lost during severe weather and prolonged power outages. These SNAP replacement benefits are an important step in supporting community resilience and helping households get back on their feet."

DHS Director Joseph Campos II added, "We know that many SNAP households experienced and are continuing to experience significant hardship because of Tropical Cyclone Lala. DHS is committed to making the replacement process as straightforward as possible. By providing timely reimbursement for food that was destroyed, we aim to reduce stress on families and make sure they can continue to meet their nutritional needs as recovery efforts continue statewide."

DHS is currently accepting applications for SNAP replacement benefits from SNAP households statewide.

To qualify, SNAP recipients must submit a signed, written statement reporting the food loss within 10 days of the incident. The statement must include:

• The name of the SNAP participant
• Date of food loss (please provide a specific date; not a range)
• Estimated value of food lost (please provide a specific dollar amount; not a range)
• A description of what occurred and when
• Contact information for the participant

A sample written statement is available on the DHS website; however, recipients may submit their own written statement and are not required to use the sample form.

Written statements may be submitted to any DHS Processing Center statewide. Once received, submissions will be reviewed and validated. Approved applicants will receive replacement benefits following the review process.

For more information, participants are encouraged to visit the DHS website or call the Statewide Public Assistance Information Line at 1-855-643-1643.

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