Program Overview

The Hawaii FIRST-TO-WORK Program is administered by the Department of Human Services and provides employment assistance to the eligible citizens of the state of Hawaii. The program was implemented in 1997 and since then has helped thousands of adults by providing employment. The program is open to individuals and families who are the receivers of TANF households.

All the adults in the family must take part in the training programs other than those who have been exempted based on either their age or certain disabilities. The program provides training workshops related to job hunting, interview skills, communication skills, and job preparation.

Program Objectives

The main goal of the Hawaii FIRST-TO-WORK Program is to assist households to become self-sufficient. The eligible families are provided temporary assistance through money and employment. The program aims to help individuals and families who are eligible to work by assisting them through the rehabilitation process so they to continue their work activities to support their families.

Program Services

The different services provided by the Hawaii FIRST-TO-WORK Program include,

• Training to Improve Job Readiness where the FTW program provides training to improve CV and interview and other job skills
• Employment Placement Services where the program helps job seekers connect with different companies in the market to increase their chances of getting work
• Basic and Vocational Education of Adults where the program assists adults to get a high school diploma to increase their chances of employability in the job market.
• Skill Building services where the FTW program provides both technical and soft skills to adults. It also helps adults get work experience.

To learn more about the Hawaii FIRST-TO-WORK Program services kindly visit the DHS website.

Eligibility Requirements

The Hawaii FIRST-TO-WORK Program is eligible for people, who fulfill the following eligibility requirements,

• The applicant is a permanent citizen of the U.S. or is  a legal alien
• The applicant is a resident of the state of Hawaii
• The applicant is the receiver of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefit
• The applicant is unable to pursue employment opportunities due to temporary disability, domestic abuse, or rehabilitation status
• The applicant belongs to a poor household with low-income
• The applicant must meet the income level limit guidelines provided by the program
• The resource of the applicant must be within the limits described in the program guidelines

You can learn more about the program eligibility requirements of the Hawaii FIRST-TO-WORK Program kindly visit the Department of Human Services website.

How to Apply

 The applicant can use different methods to apply for the Hawaii FIRST-TO-WORK Program. It makes the whole process very flexible and applicants can choose the method easier for them. 

• Apply via phone call

To apply via phone for the Hawaii FIRST-TO-WORK Program kindly call at 808 586-4993 to contact the Department of Human Services office to request an application form for the program. You will be then connected to a customer service representative who will guide you about the program and its application procedure. The application will be emailed to you and you can then return once you fill out the form to get the program’s benefits. 

To apply through fax, the applicant will be required to fax the application form along with all the attested copies of the required documents to the Department of Human Services office in your locality. You can find the information to fax and email to the program office on the official DHS website.

• Apply through the local district office

If you are interested in submitting their application in person, they can visit the nearby Hawaii Department of Human Services, Division of Benefit, Employment and Support Services office in your locality. The representative of the Hawaii FIRST-TO-WORK Program will guide you through the program details, eligibility criteria, and program benefits. 

The application process takes very little time and once you finish the form you can wait for your confirmation number which will be provided to you shortly afterward. It is advisable to apply before the due date to be able to get the benefits of the Hawaii FIRST-TO-WORK Program.

The applicants can also visit the Hawaii official Marketplace to see if they qualify for the program. The Marketplace provides information about all the major topics including program details, goals, and eligibility criteria for the Hawaii FIRST-TO-WORK Program in various states of the United States of America.

For Further Information

 For more information related to the Hawaii FIRST-TO-WORK Program please visit the official Hawaii Department of Human Services, Division of Benefit, Employment, and Support Services. It provides complete and accurate information about the program. The above-mentioned website will help you learn more about the program and its requirements related to the application process and eligibility criteria, the program’s working procedure, income, and resources eligibility to apply for the FIRST-TO-WORK Program in the state of Hawaii.