The state will provide $250 in November for each of Hawaii’s 161,400 people whose federal SNAP benefits are set to expire Saturday as the result of the federal government shutdown.

A family of three, for example, will receive $750 on their Electronic Benefit Transfer cards by at least Nov. 14, Gov. Josh Green announced Thursday at the state Capitol.

The state money falls short of the typical monthly SNAP spending of $346 a month.

“Yes, it’s not the full amount,” said Joseph Campos, deputy director of the state Department of Human Services. “This is not the SNAP benefit.”

The cost adds up to $42.2 million that will now be spent in local grocery stores at a time when Hawaii has been forecast to move into a “mild recession” in 2026.

Green also highlighted other efforts previously announc

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