Recipients of the Department of Health’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will receive a raise today. President Barack Obama’s stimulus package provides an increase of 13.6 percent to SNAP benefits. In Hawai‘i that’s $125 more for groceries for a family of
Recipients of the Department of Health’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will receive a raise today.
President Barack Obama’s stimulus package provides an increase of 13.6 percent to SNAP benefits. In Hawai‘i that’s $125 more for groceries for a family of four and $226 for a family of eight.
More than ever, Kaua‘i Food Bank Food Stamp Outreach Coordinator Wendi Rusaw is pursuing residents eligible for benefits.
“What I can do is pre-screen them on the phone before filling out the application,” she said.
There have been 101 households here approved to receive SNAP benefits since June — the annual monetary amount of which equals $142,248, which is considered new food dollars for Kaua‘i.
The USDA determined that there is a $9.20 economic benefit for every $5 of new food stamp monies. What this means is the original $58,000 grant from the county has grown — making the economic benefit for the community $261,736 to date.
“The 14 percent increase in food stamp benefits will increase the results of our efforts considerably providing an increase in economic benefit to Kaua‘i,” Food Bank Executive Director Judy Lenthall said in an e-mail.
Rusaw attributes the success of the outreach program to the unified efforts of county, state and federal programs working with the food bank. Rusaw and her volunteer group, the Akamai Kupunas, pre-screen, pre-qualify and assist applicants with the process.
“There was $2.8 million just on Kaua‘i alone that was going back to the federal government,” Rusaw said. “That’s money we’re trying to tap into. We need to use that money here.”
Lenthall said only 72 percent of all people eligible for food stamps in Hawai‘i actually receive them.
“That means … if Kaua‘i is about 5 percent of the state’s population, the county of Kaua‘i is missing out on about $3 million in unused and unclaimed food stamp monies each year,” she said.
Rusaw is most concerned about Kaua‘i kupuna since she believes there is shame and stigma attached to the food stamp program.
“I ask them, ‘Would you give back your Social Security check?’” she said. “The taxes you paid while you were working paid for this benefit. There is enough money for anyone that qualifies for this program.”
Recipients are predictably elated over the increase. A Lihu‘e kupuna, who requested anonymity, said she would use the extra money to purchase healthier, more balanced meals.
The 13.6 percent increase will also allow recipients to make other purchases for items like clothing or needed medical care. Pressure on food pantries all over the island may also feel some relief.
A family of five told the food pantry that they used to go to there but because of the help the Kaua‘i Food Bank provides with the application they no longer needed to go to the food pantry, Rusaw said in an e-mail.
“People in this situation are already stressed out,” she said. “I have people tell me that if I weren’t assisting them in filling out the application they wouldn’t do it.”
To learn more, call Rusaw at 246-3809. The pre-screening takes only a few minutes on the phone.
