STATE OF HAWAII
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
BENEFIT, EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Pursuant to Sections 91-3 and 92-41, Hawaii Revised Statutes, notice is hereby given that the Department of Human Services will hold a public hearing to consider the proposed amendments to existing rules of the Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division for the purpose of conforming to federal and state statutes. A brief description of the proposed changes is listed below:

CHAPTER 17-602.1, HEARINGS

§17-602.1-10, Payment status of financial assistance recipients pending hearing. Subsection (b)(5) is amended by replacing the reference to section 17-678-3.01(c)(2) with section 17-678-3.01, which is being amended.

CHAPTER 17-678, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE STANDARDS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN INDEPENDENT LIVING ARRANGEMENTS, RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITIES, OR DOMICILIARY CARE HOMES

§17-678-3, Monthly assistance allowance for GA and AABD individuals in independent living arrangements or residential treatment facilities. The reference that the monthly assistance allowance is fifty per cent of the standard of need is removed not to identify a specific percentage.

§17-678-3.01, Monthly assistance allowance for TANF individuals in independent living arrangements or residential treatment facilities. The title has been amended to replace AFDC with TANF. Subsections (b) and (c) are amended to reduce the monthly assistance allowance from fifty to forty-eight percent of the standard of need. Subsection (c)(2) is amended to specify that after the receipt of two full months of assistance, the monthly assistance allowance will be further reduced to eighty percent of the monthly assistance allowance.

A public hearing will be held at the following date, time and place:

Tuesday, July 7, 2009, 1:30 p.m.; Haseko Center, Suite 606, Conference Room 2, 820 Mililani Street, Honolulu, Hawaii.

All interested persons are invited to attend the hearing to state their views relative to the proposed rules either orally or in writing. Should written testimony be presented, five (5) copies shall be made available to the presiding officer at the public hearing or within seven (7) days before the hearing to:

Department of Human Services
Benefit, Employment & Support Services Division
820 Mililani Street, Suite 606
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Residents of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and Molokai wishing to present oral testimonies may also contact the Benefit, Employment and Support Services Section Administration office on the respective islands within seven (7) days before the Honolulu hearing date to have their testimony recorded:

East Hawaii Section Administrator
1900 Kinoole Street, Suite 111
Hilo, HI (981-7288)

West Hawaii Section Administrator
75-5722 Hanama Place, Room 1105
Kailua-Kona, HI (327-4765);

Kauai Section Administrator
Dynasty Court
4473 Pahee Street, Suite G
Lihue, HI (241-3663);

Maui Section Administrator
1955 Main Street, Suite #325
Wailuku, HI (243-5875);

Molokai Income Maintenance Unit
Kaunakakai Civic Center, Phase 2
55 Makaena Place, Room 1
Kaunakakai, HI (553-1715)

A copy of the proposed rules will be mailed at NO COST to any interested person requesting a copy by writing to:

Department of Human Services
Benefit, Employment & Support Services Division
820 Mililani Street, Suite 606
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

or by calling 586-5725. Neighbor island residents may request a copy of the proposed rules at NO COST by contacting the Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division office during regular business days and hours.

Proposed rules are available on the internet at www.hawaii.gov/dhs/main/har/

Special accommodations (i.e., Sign language interpreter, large print, taped materials, or accessible parking) can be made, if requested at least five (5) working days before the scheduled public hearing on Oahu by calling 586-5725. Neighbor island residents needing special accommodations should contact the Benefit, Employment and Support Services Section Administration office on the respective islands with their requests.