Hawaii Gov. David Ige signed off on a fourth emergency proclamation to allow the continuation of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotment benefits brought on by the federal COVID-19 emergency.
Ige's actions extends the disaster emergency relief period through Nov. 18, with the governor actively encouraging families in need to take advantage of the benefits the program offers, according to a Sept. 19 news release from Ige's office.
“Food insecurity is just one of the lingering effects of the pandemic, and SNAP benefits provide Hawaiʻi families with nutritious food,” Ige said in the release. “It’s important for families to reach out so they can get the help they need.”
Managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the SNAP program is designed to provide critical food and nutritional support to qualifying low-income and needy households, as well as those making the transition from public assistance to being on their own, according to the release.
In Hawaiʻi, the Department of Human Services Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division oversees SNAP, with government officials committed to providing food security for individuals and families across the state, the release reported.