Kūpuna at risk: How federal changes to SNAP impact older adults in Hawaiʻi

Hawaiʻi’s kūpuna already face some of the highest food costs in the nation, stretching fixed incomes across housing, medical bills and groceries. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps more than 33,000 Hawaiʻi seniors afford nutritious foods—supporting overall health and providing flexibility, dignity, and the ability to choose culturally-relevant foods. However, new federal restrictions threaten to cut off access at a time when the need is higher than ever.

Hawaiʻi has options, though—by adopting kūpuna-focused programs and tapping local resources, state leaders can help ensure that our elders don’t lose the food security they deserve.

Congress Raises the Age for Work Requirements

Prior to the passage of HR1—the recent budget mega-bill passed by Congress—adults aged 55 and above were exempt from SNAP time limits in the event of unemployment. This exemption is known as the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents—or ABAWD—rule. Passage of HR1 means this exemption may no longer be available until the age of 65, pushing an estimated 16,570 older adults in Hawaiʻi off of the program unless they can document 20 hours of work per week (based on April 2025 data from Hawaiʻi’s SNAP office).

Research consistently shows that work requirements do not increase employment, for a variety of reasons. Many older adults in this age range end up falling into a “gray zone.”

• They may not qualify as officially disabled, but chronic conditions like arthritis, diabetes or back pain make steady work difficult.

• The kinds of jobs available in rural areas of Hawaiʻi—such as low-wage retail or physically demanding service jobs—are often unstable and don’t guarantee 20 hours a week. For part-time workers, one missed day could mean losing SNAP benefits altogether.

• Age discrimination also plays a role: people in their late 50s or early 60s often struggle to get hired, even when they’re actively looking.

For older individuals struggling economically, the new requirement doesn’t mean “work more.” Instead, it means risking the loss of food assistance because the jobs around don’t last or can’t accommodate physical needs—if there are any available at all.

Wider Ripple Effects

Aside from the direct impacts from the ABAWD restrictions, other HR1 cuts could have ripple effects on SNAP households with kūpuna. 

• Immigration-related restrictions could make it harder for kūpuna in immigrant or mixed-status households to qualify for assistance. 

• SNAP-Ed, a program that has provided cooking, gardening and nutrition education to Hawaiʻi residents (including kūpuna) for over 20 years, has been eliminated entirely. 

These cuts and restrictions come on top of an additional blow to the state budget, which now must cover a higher share of SNAP administrative costs. That means Hawaiʻi’s already stretched SNAP office will have to do more with less—placing an even heavier toll on a system meant to serve our kūpuna and other vulnerable residents.

In Hawaiʻi’s multigenerational households, cuts to SNAP don’t just affect one individual—they impact entire families. When a kūpuna loses benefits, it often means stretching limited resources even further, forcing everyone under the same roof to do with less.

Rethinking Existing Tools to Strengthen Kūpuna Nutrition

Older adults have unique challenges, and as such there are a variety of tools and programs specifically tailored to this population. Even within these new constraints, Hawaiʻi can innovate by combining or re-imagining existing programs to expand access and strengthen support for our seniors.

1. ESAP: A Missed Opportunity
   Many kūpuna who could benefit from SNAP aren’t aware they qualify or have trouble completing their application. This leaves a significant gap in participation among this population. By some estimates, only half of eligible seniors participate. Recognizing this, the USDA offers states a tool to address this challenge, known as the Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP). This federal waiver makes it easier for households with adults aged 60 or older to enroll (and stay enrolled) in SNAP.

   Twenty-five other states have already implemented ESAP. But despite legislative pushes like last session’s SB961 and a concurrent resolution from both state legislative chambers, Hawaiʻi has yet to adopt this program. 
   

2. Thinking Outside of DA BUX: Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Incentives for Seniors
   The Double Up Food Bucks program—called DA BUX in Hawaiʻi—doubles the value of SNAP dollars spent on local fruits and vegetables, and has been popular among SNAP recipients, grocery retailers, and farmers alike. But kūpuna who are not enrolled in SNAP—even those who are eligible—are left out of these benefits. 

   Another program with broad potential for expansion—the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)—provides low-income kūpuna with $50 worth of coupons annually to procure fresh, locally-grown produce at participating farmers markets. While the program’s participation is capped, the application process is simpler than SNAP. With a relatively minor investment, the administrative framework could be leveraged to expand to more seniors.

   One bold idea would be to leverage both of these programs into a “Golden DA BUX” program: extending DA BUX-style subsidies to applicants of Hawaiʻi’s SFMNP. This approach would not only improve kūpuna access to fresh fruits and vegetables, but also work alongside current meal programs and support local farmers—keeping Hawaiʻi dollars circulating in the local economy. 
   

3. County Area Agencies on Aging: An Overlooked Resource 

   Beyond SNAP, leaders can also look to counties to play a key role in supporting kūpuna nutrition. Each county is already equipped with federally-funded Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) that administer a variety of programs tailored toward older adults, including home-delivered and congregate meals. 

   These agencies are an underutilized lever in the fight against kūpuna hunger. Using their AAAs, county governments can customize programs to the specific needs of their islands, and even expand their offerings. For instance, Kauaʻi’s aging office offers fresh produce boxes to kūpuna through a partnership with their island’s food bank branch, offering a different approach for older adults who are still capable of daily activities such as cooking.

Looking Forward

Federal changes to SNAP present harmful new challenges for older adults in Hawaiʻi, a population already navigating high costs of living and limited incomes. But while these shifts will place added pressure on households, Hawaiʻi leaders have options. 

We need to be creative in our solutions to avoid a catastrophic drop in the supports many older adults rely on. By taking proactive steps now, Hawaiʻi can help ensure that kūpuna continue to age with dignity and security, even in the face of changing federal policy.