*Funds for HCF program that supports fire individuals/couples expended*
Funding for a Hawai‘i Community Foundation program that provided an array of support for individuals and couples without dependent children and noncitizens who were directly impacted by the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires has been depleted.
The companion to the Maui Relief TANF Program offered housing, vehicle, utilities, clothing and school supply relief. Nearly all of the $5 million from HCF had been committed as of Thursday, Aug. 22.
The Maui Relief TANF Program, which is federally funded and administered through the state Department of Human Services, continues to offer the same benefits to families with dependent children.
Maui Economic Opportunity operates both programs.
“MEO thanks the Hawai‘i Community Foundation for supporting individuals, families and noncitizens directly impacted by the wildfires with benefits mirroring the Maui Relief TANF Program,” said MEO CEO Debbie Cabebe. “We were able to provide needed help to nearly 1,000 individuals, couples without dependent children and noncitizen families.”
Applications submitted by individuals without children and noncitizens before Thursday, Aug. 22, will be processed as funding allows, she said.
The Maui TANF Relief Program continues to accept eligible families with dependent children and pregnant women in their third trimester who were directly impacted by the wildfires. Income eligibility is at or below 350% of the federal poverty level. Benefits include:
- Security and paying for short- and long-term housing.
- Making a down payment on a vehicle.
- Making car payments for up to 4 months.
- Securing and paying for utilities for up to 4 months.
- Purchasing clothing for eligible family members.
- Purchasing school supplies for school-aged children.
If families already received emergency assistance from other disaster relief organizations, then program benefits may supplement those payments, further ensuring families maintain their housing, transportation, and utility sources.
As of Wednesday, Aug. 21, the HCF Maui Strong and Maui Relief TANF programs assisted nearly 6,000 household members and disbursed $12.6 million.
Information on the Maui Relief TANF Program can be obtained on the MEO website, www.meoinc.org, by calling (808) 243-4404 or by stopping by the MEO Wailuku office, 99 Mahalani St., weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The application requires a significant number of documents. Applicants are advised to assemble the necessary documents before beginning the application. The list of documents can be found on the MEO web site.
Monni Nash, Maui Relief TANF Program manager, helps an applicant for the program that assists those directly impacted by the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfires at Maui Economic Opportunity offices in Wailuku. Maui Relief TANF Program applicants can sign up in-person at MEO, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
