Hawaii's food assistance program is part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Money for SNAP comes from the federal government. However, Hawaii, like other states, makes its own determinations as to eligibility and allotments. According to the Hawaii Department of Human Services, the average allotment of SNAP benefits in that state is $215 as of December 2010. Families receive benefits based on family size and income levels.
Instructions
1. Provide proof that you're a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. You must also be a resident of Hawaii. Proof of residency can be accomplished by showing a driver's license, birth certificate or other official document, as well as proving that you rent or own a home in Hawaii and work in Hawaii.
2. Determine if the members in your household receive or are eligible to receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, also known as TANF, or Social Security Insurance, or SSI, benefits. If family members receive or are eligible to receive these benefits, they're "categorically" eligible for food stamps in Hawaii, according to the Hawaii Department of Human Services. If a member of the household isn't eligible for these benefits, proceed to the next step.
3. Determine your gross monthly income and your net monthly income. Gross income is the total amount of money you make in a month. Net income represents money left over after bills and other financial obligations have been paid. The eligibility amounts are based on household size and income. A family of four, for example, may be eligible if it doesn't gross more than $2,748 or net more than $2,114 a month. Families must still check to see if they meet the "asset test." However, if your family receives TANF benefits and earns gross and net income that's less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level, you may still qualify for benefits but don't need to meet the asset test.
4. Make sure you don't possess more than the allowable amount of assets. The final eligibility requirement reviews the family's assets, such as bank accounts and automobiles. You can't possess more than $2,000 in assets --- $3,000 if there's an elderly or disabled person in your household.
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