Applications open Oct. 20 for temporary financial assistance program for families affected by Maui fires

The Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services and its partner Maui Economic Opportunity will accept applications beginning Oct. 20 for the Maui Relief TANF Program.

TANF stands for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

The program, which has $100 million in funding, will provide up to four months of financial support for families who were directly affected by the 2023 Maui wildfires and have at least one dependent child in their household.

The funding can be used for housing, transportation, utilities, vehicle payments, clothing and school supplies for children.

A family may apply for Maui Relief TANF support based on their current needs and apply later for other remaining support available to the family. This support may be provided in addition to FEMA Individual Assistance if a family has exhausted its FEMA assistance and critical needs still exists.

The Maui Relief Program is separate from the ongoing TANF cash assistance benefit and has a different application process, eligibility criteria and requirements.

“The families impacted by the Maui wildfires continue to need our help,” Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green said in a press release. “The necessities families struggle to pay for on a day-to-day basis can become insurmountable after a disaster. The $100 million we secured for the Maui Relief TANF Program will relieve the burden of some of these critical financial needs.”

To be eligible for the program, a family must have experienced property loss or damage, or reduction of earnings or employment as a direct result of the emergency, have at least one dependent child in the family, and meet income eligibility guidelines.

Survivors are strongly encouraged to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance prior to applying for support through the Maui Relief TANF Program.

The state Department of Human Services contracted with nonprofit Maui Economic Opportunity to administer the Maui Relief TANF Support Program.

For more information or to apply starting Oct. 20, call the Maui Relief TANF Program at 808-243-4316, email at NRST@meoinc.org, or visit https://www.meoinc.org.