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No. Bridge to Hope is available to students who receive TANF cash assistance and have a First-to-Work work requirement.

If you later become eligible for TANF cash assistance, you may also become eligible for BTH.

If you are a First-to-Work participant and enrolled at any ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ campus, Bridge to Hope may be able to assist with campus resources, First-to-Work paperwork, and, if you are enrolled full-time, BTH on-campus employment.

Contact your BTH campus contact or the system-wide coordinator to discuss next steps:

• Email: bth@hawaii.edu
• Phone: (808) 956-9313
• View BTH campus contacts

If you are not yet enrolled at a University of Hawaiʻi campus, research your campus and program options, then discuss your education plan with your First-to-Work case manager.

To participate in a First-to-Work education plan, you must stay in compliance with First-to-Work requirements.

TANF stands for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. It is the federal term commonly used for cash assistance or welfare.

In Hawaiʻi, adult TANF recipients with work obligations are connected to the First-to-Work program. TANF assistance is generally subject to a 60-month lifetime limit, although final determinations are made by DHS.

You can learn more here: .

TANF has income, household, and other eligibility rules. You can apply for TANF, SNAP, and some related benefits through Hawaiʻi DHS.

For help with SNAP or financial assistance applications, you can also call the Public Assistance Information line: 1-855-643-1643.

You may still qualify for other programs, depending on your household’s current eligibility. For example, some households may continue to qualify for SNAP or Med-QUEST even after TANF ends.

Because Bridge to Hope eligibility is tied to TANF / First-to-Work participation, losing TANF cash assistance may also affect your eligibility for BTH employment. Contact your BTH coordinator and First-to-Work case manager right away if your TANF benefits are ending or have ended.

Additional benefit information: