HI TANF: update Standard of Assistance rate from 48% to 62% (effective March 1, 2025)

[hua7450]

Summary

Hawaii increased the TANF/TAONF monthly assistance allowance from 48% to 62% of the standard of need, effective March 1, 2025. PolicyEngine's gov.states.hi.dhs.tanf.standard_of_assistance.rate parameter was last updated 2009-07-01: 0.48, so it is now stale for benefits from March 2025 onward.

Note: the standard of need itself ($1,590 for a family of 3) is unchanged — it remains frozen at 100% of the 2006 Hawaii FPL. Only the assistance allowance rate (share of the standard of need that is actually paid) increased.

Current model

• Standard of Need (family of 3) = $1,590 (100% of 2006 Hawaii FPL, frozen)
• SOA rate = 0.48 → SOA = $763.20
• After 20% mandatory-work reduction → $610.56 (matches CBPP's $610 figure)

Expected after change

• Effective 2025-03-01, SOA rate = 0.62
• New SOA (family of 3) = $1,590 × 0.62 = $985.80
• After 20% mandatory-work reduction = $788.64 (DHS worked example: "$610 → $789, an increase of $179 per month")
• Statutory band per HRS §346-53: floor 48%, ceiling 62.5%

Sources

• Hawaii DHS BESSD §346-51.5 HRS TANF Report to the 33rd Legislature (March 20, 2025), p.5 — states the 48%→62% change and the $610→$789 worked example: https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/RYamane_2025-HRS-Sect-346-51.5-TANF-Legislative-Report-DHS-BESSD-signed.pdf#page=5
• HRS §346-53 (allowance floor 48%, ceiling 62.5% of need)
• NCCP 2025/26 TANF brief — reports Hawaii at ~$985
• Hawaii Public Radio (Oct 9, 2025) — confirms the increase is in effect: https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-news/2025-10-09/400m-stockpile-low-income-families-effects-of-federal-cuts

Files

• policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/hi/dhs/tanf/standard_of_assistance/rate.yaml