Maui Relief TANF outreach event Tuesday at Lahaina Civic Center

Applications for the Maui Relief TANF program, which could cover housing, auto, clothing and utility expenses for families with children impacted by the August wildfires, will be accepted at a Maui Economic Opportunity outreach event, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, at the Lahaina Civic Center.

The program is a partnership with the state Department of Human Services and MEO, which is administering the program.

TANF stands for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Hawai‘i residents with at least one dependent child, under 24 years old, impacted with property loss or damage or lost income or job due to the wildfires and have a family income of no more than 350% of the federal poverty level (i.e., $120,750 annually for a family of four) are eligible. 

There are multiple categories for which families could apply, including four months of lease payments, capped at $4,000 per month; auto loan payments for four months, capped at $500 per month; and clothing allowance for family members with a cap of $350 per child under 18 years old and $500 for children older than 18 and adults.

Applications are available online at www.meoinc.org (click on “Maui Relief TANF Program” button under “Quick Links”) and at https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/ddfc0bcdfe5d403dbc526c436615d0bf.

Walk-ins are accepted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) at MEO’s Wailuku office at 99 Mahalani St.

For more information, call 808-243-4316 or email nrst@meoinc.org.