Basic Needs & Social Services
Quick links: Food, Cash Assistance, Health Coverage & Local Support
Start Here
| Resource | What it helps with | How to access |
|---|
| Aloha United Way 211 Hawaiʻi | Statewide referrals for essentials like food, housing, childcare, financial assistance, and more. | Call: Dial 211 (in Hawaiʻi) Outside Hawaiʻi: (808) 275-2000 Toll-free:(877) 275-6569 Hours: 7:00 AM–10:00 PM, 7 days/week Open AUW 211 details |
| DHS: SNAP / Financial Assistance Processing Centers | Where to get help in-person (or find the right office) for SNAP (Food Stamps) and cash assistance. | Statewide Branch Support Desk:1-855-643-1643 Lobby hours:8:30 AM–3:30 PM (business days)View statewide processing center locations |
| PAIS Benefits Portal (Online Apply/Renew/Upload) | Apply for SNAP/cash assistance, renew benefits, and upload documents online. | Portal hours: 6:30 AM–5:45 PM HST (Mon–Sat, except State holidays) Open PAIS portal |
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Food Support (SNAP + Pantries)
| Resource | What it helps with | Link / Notes |
|---|
| SNAP (Food Stamps) – State of Hawaiʻi DHS | Official program info, application steps, and what to expect after you apply (including interview process). | Open DHS SNAP page |
| SNAP Screener (Unofficial Estimate) | Quick pre-screener to estimate possible SNAP eligibility/benefit amount (not an official determination). | Open Hawaii SNAP Screener Note: SnapScreener states it is not affiliated with any government organization. |
| Helping Hands Hawaiʻi – SNAP Outreach | Help with SNAP application questions and outreach support. | Main line: (808) 536-7234 SNAP Outreach: ext. 832 Open Helping Hands contact page |
| Food Pantries (Oʻahu + statewide) | Up-to-date pantry and food distribution info by neighborhood. | Call 211 (Aloha United Way) or search the AUW database 24/7:Use AUW 211 to find food support |
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Health Coverage, Clinics & Family Nutrition
| Resource | What it helps with | Link / Notes |
|---|
| Med-QUEST (Medicaid / QUEST) | Health coverage applications + eligibility help (including QUEST programs). | Eligibility/Service Centers: 1 (800) 316-8005 Open Med-QUEST contact info |
| WIC (Women, Infants & Children) | Nutrition support for pregnant/postpartum parents and children under 5 (clinic locations by island). | Find a WIC clinic |
| Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies (HMHB) | Support for parents and families (appointments + clinic locations; telehealth available). | Phone (Oʻahu): (808) 737-5805Open HMHB contact & locations |
| Community Health Centers (Sliding Scale Care) | Low-cost primary care options statewide (especially helpful if uninsured or between coverage). | See health centers by island |
| Aloha Medical Mission Dental Clinic (Project Vision Hawaiʻi) | Interim dental services; no one turned away for inability to pay (per clinic). | Phone: (808) 847-3400 Open clinic info |
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Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPL)
Helpful reference:
Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPL) are updated annually and used for eligibility in many programs. View the latest published FPL table (PDF)
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