Maui Economic Opportunity offers an array of resources for Maui County
residents dealing with the impacts of the federal government shutdown,
changes to federal program requirements, 2023 wildfire recovery and general
housing and utility crises and has been receiving numerous applications and
inquiries about assistance programs.
But some of those phone calls and other inquiries are for assistance
programs not run by MEO but by other nonprofits and agencies, especially
the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP.
For information about SNAP assistance and food outreach opportunities, go
to https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/hawaii-emergency-food-benefit-faqs/.
For those impacted by the federal shutdown, MEO is operating the
state-funded Hawai’i Relief Program, which offers housing and utility
payments. Maui County families must demonstrate a financial crisis or an
episode of need, have at least one dependent child under the age of 18, and
meet the income-eligibility guidelines. For more information, go to
Hawaii Relief Program – Housing and Utility Payments
.
MEO’s wildfire relief programs follow:
– Maui Relief TANF Program for families and individuals directly
impacted by the wildfires. Housing, vehicle, utility, appliance, clothing
and school supply assistance available. For more information, go to
TANF Program
– Maui Disaster Stabilization Grant, through Hoʻōla iā Mauiakama:
Disaster Long-Term Recovery Group, which offers assistance to struggling
wildfire survivors. Hawai`i Community Foundation is funding the program
with Hoʻōla iā Mauiakama handling case management and MEO, payments. For
more information, call a Hoʻōla iā Mauiakama case manager at (260) 271-9501
or go to Maui Disaster Stabilization Grant.
General assistance programs run by MEO:
– Maui County Rental Assistance Program (RAP), which is designed
to help individuals and families in Maui County with assistance on rental
deposit, utility deposit and rental subsidy on a declining scale based on
income and contingent upon the applicant’s circumstances. For more
information, go to
Maui County Rental Assistance Program (RAP)
.
– Hawai’i Home Energy Assistance Program (H-HEAP) provides
one-time heating and cooling payments for Maui County residents on the
verge of having or who have had their utility service terminated. For more
information, go to Hawai’i Home Energy Assistance Program – H-HEAP)
– Lāna`i-Grown Food Stimulus Program, which supports Lāna`i
residents facing food insecurity. MEO provides food vouchers to purchase
locally grown or sourced fresh produce and fruit, edible algae, poi, meat,
fish, eggs or honey from the Lāna`i Farmers Market. For more information,
go to Lana’i Grown Food Stimulus Program Application
“We hope this primer helps residents who may be desperate to feed and house
themselves amid difficult and changing circumstances,” said MEO CEO Debbie
Cabebe. “MEO staff is ready to help and offer referrals but given the
volume of applications for our programs we appreciate the public’s help.”
Lance Winston of Maui Economic Opportunity Transportation speaks with a
visitor to the MEO table at the Maui County Senior Fair last November —
which this year will be held Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Queen
Ka`ahumanu Center. MEO offers assistance with housing and utilities for
those impacted by the federal government shutdown. Broader help is
available to survivors of the 2023 wildfires.