Hawaiʻi Extends Deadline for SNAP Replacement Benefits

Households in select areas impacted by recent severe weather have until April 2 to apply for reimbursement of lost food purchased with SNAP benefits.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:20am

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The Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services has extended the deadline to submit applications for SNAP replacement benefits until April 2. The replacement benefits allow eligible households in specific areas impacted by power outages from the recent kona low weather event to be reimbursed for food purchased with SNAP benefits that was destroyed.

Why it matters

The extension provides more time for affected SNAP recipients in areas with prolonged power outages to apply for replacement benefits to cover the value of lost food. This helps ensure low-income households can access nutritious food and are not further burdened by unexpected losses due to the severe weather.

The details

The replacement amount will be based on the value of food lost, not to exceed the total monthly SNAP benefit issued to the household. Eligible SNAP recipients must submit a written statement reporting the food loss within 10 days, including the name of the SNAP participant, an estimate of the value of food destroyed, a description of what occurred and when, and contact information. The extended deadline applies to specific ZIP codes in Hawaiʻi, Kauaʻi, Maui, and Oʻahu counties that were most impacted by power outages.

  • The original deadline to submit applications was March 20.
  • The new extended deadline is April 2.

The players

Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services

The state agency that administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and is overseeing the replacement benefits application process for affected households.

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What’s next

SNAP participant households in the identified areas have until April 2 to apply for replacement benefits by contacting a Department of Human Services Processing Center or the Public Assistance Information Line.

The takeaway

The extension of the SNAP replacement benefits deadline ensures low-income households impacted by the recent severe weather in Hawaiʻi have more time to recoup the value of lost food purchased with their SNAP benefits, helping them maintain access to nutritious sustenance during a difficult time.