With the federal government now reopened, Hawaii officials are working to stabilize food assistance for tens of thousands of residents following weeks of shutdown-related disruptions, conflicting federal directives and a new court order temporarily blocking the U.S. Department of Agriculture from limiting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments from the states this month.

The state Department of Human Services said it successfully issued full November SNAP benefits Nov. 7 to more than 78,000 households representing over 160,000 people statewide. Many residents had braced for reduced or delayed benefits after the USDA sent multiple notices telling states to pause or scale back payments during the shutdown that began Oct. 1.

The 43-day shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, ende

See Full Page