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Committee advances bill to extend SNAP certification for kupuna and pursue ESAP participation
Summary
SB 961 SD1 would lengthen minimum certification periods for some SNAP households, allow participation in the Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP), and was passed with amendments after testimony that DHS' legacy eligibility system cannot yet support all waivers.
The House Committee on Human Services and Homelessness on Thursday voted to advance SB 961 SD1, a measure that would extend certification periods for certain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households — particularly older adults — and require the state to pursue participation in the federal Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP).
Supporters said the measure would reduce paperwork and churn among elderly clients. "Any bill that would streamline access to SNAP and make it easier for people to participate" drew support, said Daniella Spota of Hawaii Appleseed. Audrey Suga Nakagawa of AARP Hawaii said the bill would "simplify the process application especially for our kupuna who sometimes face a lot of red tape."
DHS officials, including Jeanette Hayes, SNAP administrator, told the committee the agency supports the bill but flagged technical limits in the department's current eligibility system. DHS said it is still building a new Benefit Eligibility Solution (BES); the legacy system "is nearly 40 years old" and lacks functionality needed to implement federal waivers that could enable longer certification periods and interview waivers. DHS indicated the BES statewide rollout is anticipated in fall 2026 and asked the committee to defer an effective date while the department assesses the new system after go-live.
Advocates described two immediate effects: reducing paperwork for qualifying kupuna and lowering administrative churn that causes eligible households to lose benefits. Daniella Spota noted an earlier error in submitted testimony that misstated current certification lengths; she said current rules include 12-month certifications with a 6‑month interim report and that the bill would allow 24- or 36-month certification options for eligible elderly households if the state enrolls in ESAP.
Committee action: the committee voted to pass SB 961 SD1 with amendments, and the chair recommended deferring the bill's effective date to July 1, 3000, in committee language so DHS can assess the new system before implementing waivers; the recommendation was adopted unanimously.
