The Hawaiʻi Emergency Food Assistance Program (HEFAP) is a new state-sponsored food benefit that is separate from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit. HEFAP will provide a benefit of $250 per person in a household. The HEFAP will be restricted to purchase food and groceries at retail locations that accept Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.

Households that were approved for November 2025 SNAP benefits as of the standard processing cut-off date of October 28, 2025, will automatically receive HEFAP benefits. The department is currently assessing program developments related to the issuance of partial or full benefits.

Starting November 10, 2025, SNAP recipients seeking information about the Hawaiʻi Emergency Food Assistance Program (HEFAP) can contact the Public Assistance Information Line, available Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM.

Through the hotline, callers can check the status of their HEFAP benefits using the Virtual Agent or speak directly with a live agent for further assistance.

• Statewide:  1-855-643-1643
• Say “Emergency” or Press 7