MEO: Hawai‘i Community Foundation funds depleted for wildfire survivors; other funding still available

Funding has been depleted for a Hawai‘i Community Foundation program that provided an array of support for individuals and couples without dependent children and non-citizens who were directly impacted by the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires.

The companion to the Maui Relief TANF Program offered housing, vehicle, utilities, clothing and school supply relief. Nearly all of the $5 million from foundation had been committed as of today.

The Maui Relief TANF Program is federally funded and administered through the state Department of Human Services. The program 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 Chief Executive Officer 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 non-citizens before today 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 four months.
• Securing and paying for utilities for up to four 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, 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 is available at 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 website.