The Maui News
Applications for a program that could provide up to four months of financial support for families with children who were impacted by the August wildfires will be accepted at a Maui Economic Opportunity outreach event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Lahaina Civic Center.
The Maui Relief Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program is open to Hawaii residents who:
• Have at least one dependent child, under 24 years old, who is under the care of a relative.
• Were impacted with property loss/damage or lost income/job due to the wildfires.
• Have an annual gross family income of no more than 350 percent of the 2023 Hawaii federal poverty level (i.e., $79,380 for a family of two or $120,750 for a family of four).
There are multiple categories for which families could apply, including four months of lease payments, capped at $4,000 a month; auto loan payments for four months, capped at $500 per month; 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; one-time utility deposits of up to $2,000 and utility payments of up to four months, capped at $750 per month; and school supply allowances up to $300 for each school-aged child.
A family may apply for benefits based on their current needs. The benefits may not duplicate other emergency and disaster relief assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the American Red Cross or other disaster assistance organizations.
Required documents, which applicants will have to upload or bring to in-person sites, include:
• Identification, such as a driver’s license or state ID.
• Social Security verification, such as a Social Security card, tax documentation or a federally accepted document.
• Proof of Hawaii residency, for example, utility bill or lease agreement.
• Proof of loss, damage or reduction in earnings or employment loss as a direct result of the wildfires, which may include a union letter, emails, text messages, employer’s letter or email, or self-attestation.
• Proof of income, such as pay stubs, tax forms, unemployment insurance or self-attestation.
• Proof of a dependent child living in the home. Examples may include a lease agreement, birth certificate reflecting child’s relationship to the adult relative, tax document or school document.
• Assistance request documents (items are specific to the assistance requested). This includes utility bills; lease, mortgage or car loan statements; or W-9s for landlords.
The Maui TANF Relief Program is a partnership with the state Department of Human Services and MEO, which is administering the program.
Applications are available online at www.meoinc.org (click on “Maui Relief TANF Program” button under “Quick Links”) and at app.smartsheet.com/b/form/ddfc0bcdfe5d403dbc 526c436615d0bf.
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. Future outreach events will be announced.
For more information, call (808) 243-4316 or email nrst@meoinc.org.
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