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

The companion to the Maui Relief TANF Program offered housing, vehicle, utilities, clothing and school supply relief. Nearly all of the $5 million from HCF had been committed as of Thursday, Aug. 22.

The Maui Relief TANF Program, which is federally funded and administered through the state Department of Human Services, 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 CEO 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 noncitizens before Thursday, Aug. 22, 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 4 months.
• Securing and paying for utilities for up to 4 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, Aug. 21, 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 can be obtained on the MEO website, 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 web site.

About Maui Economic Opportunity
Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc., is a nonprofit agency that’s part of the national Community Action Partnership network, whose goal is to help low income individuals and families and disenfranchised people help themselves and transform their lives. Chartered in 1965, MEO offers more than 40 programs that assist low income people, kupuna, youths, persons with disabilities, immigrants and other disenfranchised individuals countywide. MEO runs the Human Services specialized transportation program for health and dialysis appointments, after-school and youth sports activities and more; and the Maui Bus paratransit system; Head Start preschools and Kahi Kamali‘i Infant Care Center; as well as programs that offer kupuna socialization and information; rent, mortgage and utility assistance; Spanish interpretation and translation; entrepreneurial and financial classes and support, including microloans; inmate reintegration into the community after release; youth drinking, drug, smoking, bullying and suicide prevention; and employment training and placement. For more information about the entire array of programs, visit meoinc.org or call (808) 249-2990.