Maui County residents impacted by the Aug. 8 wildfires who relocated to Kaua‘i, O‘ahu or Hawai‘i Island may apply for the Maui Relief TANF Program for families with dependent children through Community Action Programs on those islands.

Maui Economic Opportunity, which is operating the program in partnership with the state Department of Human Services, secured memorandums of agreement from Honolulu Community Action Program, Kauai Economic Opportunity and Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council to offer assistance for families to complete applications on those islands.

HCAP, KEO, HCEOC and MEO are part of a network of organizations, established to battle poverty in communities across the nation.

The Maui Relief TANF Program offers rental and mortgage, utility, and down payment on a new vehicle and loan payment assistance, as well as gift cards for clothing and school supplies.

Families with dependent children in their households, directly and indirectly impacted by the wildfires and earning less than 350 percent of the poverty level (which for a family of four is $120,750 annually) are eligible for the benefits.

U.S. citizenship is not a requirement.

Off-island applicants may apply online at www.meoinc.org (by clicking on the Maui Relief TANF program button under “Quick Links”) or at:

- Honolulu Community Action Program, 1132 Bishop St., Suite 100, Honolulu, HI 96813; call (808) 521-4531; email hcap@hcapweb.org.

- Kauai Economic Opportunity, 2804 Wehe Road, Lihue, HI 96766; (808) 245-4077; keo@keoinc.org.

- Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council, 47 Rainbow Drive

Hilo, HI 96720; (808) 731-7009.

Those applying for the Maui Relief TANF Program should bring all eligibility documents with them. The list of documents can be found at www.meoinc.org.

The Maui Relief TANF Program continues to accept applications on Maui. For more information, contact MEO at (808) 243-4404 or email nrst@meoinc.org.

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.