According to a study released by the state of Hawaii’s Department of Human Services, in 2012 approximately 17,050 low-income households receive some type of cash subsidy, either state or federally funded, each year. This is an increase of almost 20 percent since 2007 and an increase of approximately 5 percent from the last fiscal year alone. Experts believe that this increase is partially due to families having run out of unemployment benefits or having spent any saving that they previously had. University of Hawaii’s Center on the Family specialist Ivette Stern stated, “A lot of what we’re seeing is what we call the lagging indicators, where the economy is getting better but now is when you’re seeing some of the punch of the downturn. The families that were on the edge are still struggling and will be struggling.”
Most families receive cash help through the federally funded Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. The average cash benefit for TANF families is $559 per month. The state of Hawaii also offers a Temporary Assistance for Other Needy Families program, which provides an average cash benefit of $355 per month. Those who are elderly or disabled can get additional funding with their average cash benefit of approximately $300 per month.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2011 a total of 2.9 percent of the nation’s household had received welfare benefits. However, that year, a total of 4.3 percent of Hawaii households received welfare, which ranked Hawaii as one of the highest welfare participation rates in the country.
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 12-2-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
