Last updated 4/12/2021
Hawai'i Utility moratorium
The Public Utilities Commission has suspended the disconnection of regulated utility service due to non-payment and/or assessment of other charges through May 31, 2021. See the order for more details.
Hawai‘i ISLAND Utility Bill Assistance program
Applications open April 12, 2021 at 8 am
The Hawaiʻi County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) applications will be available starting Monday, April 12th, at 8 am. Funding will be limited to households' primary residence on Hawaiʻi Island.
ERAP nonprofit partners include:
ERAP Qualifications
Required Documents
Proof of Resident and Age for Applicant
Apply
Contact one of the ERAP nonprofit partners:
HOPE
357 Waianuenue Avenue
Hilo, HI 96720
www.hopeserviceshawaii.org
808.935.3050
ERAP@hopeserviceshawaii.org
HFFFCU
1221 Kilauea Avenue, Suite 150
Hilo, HI 96720
www.hawaiifirstfcu.com
808.933.6600
empower@hawaiifirstfcu.com
NPP
16-105 Opukahaia Street
Keaau, HI 96749
www.neighborhoodplace.org
808-965-5550
ERAP@neighborhoodplace.org
HFHHI
73-4161 Uluwini Place
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
www.habitathawaiiisland.org/
808.843.0071
rmap@habitathawaiiisland.org
TSA
219 Ponahawai Street
Hilo, HI 97620
hawaii.salvationarmy.org
808.935.1277
Hilo.ERAP@usw.salvationarmy.org
HCEOC
47 Rainbow Drive
Hilo, HI 96720
www.hceoc.net
808.932.2714
ERAP@hceoc.net
The Hawaiʻi County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) applications will be available starting Monday, April 12th, at 8 am. Funding will be limited to households' primary residence on Hawaiʻi Island.
- Rent and utility grants to an estimated 3,400 households from March 2020 to December 2021
- Households will be limited to 12 months of total grant assistance
ERAP nonprofit partners include:
- HOPE Services Hawaiʻi (HOPE)
- Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union (HFFCU)
- Neighborhood Place of Puna (NPP)
- Habitat for Humanity Hawaiʻi Island (HFHHI)
- The Salvation Army (TSA)
- Hawaiʻi County Economic Opportunity Council (HCEOC)
ERAP Qualifications
- Be a Hawai'i Island resident
- At least 18 years old
- Experience financial hardship due to COVID-19, and
- 2020 or current annual gross household income at or below 80% of area median income for the number of members in their household.
- ERAP will give priority households at or below 50% of AMI with household members who have been unemployed for 90 days preceding the date of the application. An estimated 75% of all funding will go to households are this income level.
Required Documents
Proof of Resident and Age for Applicant
- Copy of photo ID
- 1040 Federal Tax Form for 2020
- 30 days most recent pay stubs
- 2 months most recent business bank statements (if self-employed)
- Unemployment or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefit letter
- Public benefit statements
- Copy of rental lease/contract
- 30 days of paystubs for February 2020
- Unemployment or PUA approval letter
- Letter from employer verifying job loss or reduced work hours
- Business bank statements for January and February 2020 (if self-employed)
- Past due rent notice
- Eviction notice
- Past due utility notice
Apply
Contact one of the ERAP nonprofit partners:
HOPE
357 Waianuenue Avenue
Hilo, HI 96720
www.hopeserviceshawaii.org
808.935.3050
ERAP@hopeserviceshawaii.org
HFFFCU
1221 Kilauea Avenue, Suite 150
Hilo, HI 96720
www.hawaiifirstfcu.com
808.933.6600
empower@hawaiifirstfcu.com
NPP
16-105 Opukahaia Street
Keaau, HI 96749
www.neighborhoodplace.org
808-965-5550
ERAP@neighborhoodplace.org
HFHHI
73-4161 Uluwini Place
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
www.habitathawaiiisland.org/
808.843.0071
rmap@habitathawaiiisland.org
TSA
219 Ponahawai Street
Hilo, HI 97620
hawaii.salvationarmy.org
808.935.1277
Hilo.ERAP@usw.salvationarmy.org
HCEOC
47 Rainbow Drive
Hilo, HI 96720
www.hceoc.net
808.932.2714
ERAP@hceoc.net
O'ahu UTILITY BILL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The City and County of Honolulu's Rental and Utility Relief Program is now temporarily closed for new applications to process the first 8,000 applications. It will reopen after the 8,000 current applications are processed.
The City and County of Honolulu is working with community partners to distribute the Rental & Utility Relief Program with $114 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds. The program will help qualified people on Oʻahu.
Eligibility Requirements
Documents Needed
Apply
Those who need language assistance or other help, can call (808) 768-2489 (CITY).
The City and County of Honolulu is working with community partners to distribute the Rental & Utility Relief Program with $114 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds. The program will help qualified people on Oʻahu.
- Rent and household utility bills for electricity, sewer and water, and gas
- Up to 12 months of bills (varies)
Eligibility Requirements
- Oʻahu residents who are renting on island
- Proof of COVID-19 pandemic related job loss, unemployment, or pay reduction
- Proof of difficulties paying for rent and utilities
- One person per household
- There will be income limits for eligible households
Documents Needed
- Government-issued photo ID
- Proof of Oʻahu residency
- Rent agreement
- Past due rent or utility notice
- Tax documents or pay stubs of two (2) months most recent income
- Proof of COVID-19 pandemic related hardship, such as an Unemployment Insurance letter
Apply
- Oneoahu.org/renthelp
- Or with a community partner assisted application
Those who need language assistance or other help, can call (808) 768-2489 (CITY).
MAUI UTILITY BILL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
H.E.L.P. through Maui County and Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. provides Maui residents with financial assistance for rent/mortgage, utilities, food, internet, medical, and other essential needs.
Apply
Apply
COVID-19 Internet Resources for Low-Income Families
InMyArea.com contains detailed information on local organizations that provide discounted distance learning devices, remote learning programs and free wireless internet access in Honolulu.
HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC COMPANY (heco)
HECO suspended residential and commercial service disconnections through May 31, 2021 for nonpayment of utility fees, which is in compliance with Hawai'i's utility moratorium.
Customers facing financial hardship are urged to call customer service in order to set up payment plans and options. Customers can access customer care on the HECO website, or at:
Customers facing financial hardship are urged to call customer service in order to set up payment plans and options. Customers can access customer care on the HECO website, or at:
- O'ahu: (808) 548-7311
- Maui: (808) 871-9777
- Moloka'i and Lana'i: 1-877-871-8461
- Hilo: (808) 969-6999
- Kona: (808) 329-3584
- Waimea: (808) 885-4605
UTILITIES ASSISTANCE
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Households in need of utility payment assistance may be eligible for up to $1000 of LIHEAP COVID-19 Disaster Energy Crisis Intervention Assistance. Visit the appropriate website for more information:
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Households in need of utility payment assistance may be eligible for up to $1000 of LIHEAP COVID-19 Disaster Energy Crisis Intervention Assistance. Visit the appropriate website for more information:
Charter spectrum
Spectrum has suspended service disconnections to any residential or small business customer due to disruption caused by COVID-19 or inability to pay bills. Late fees will also be waived.
Spectrum is also offering free Spectrum Internet and Wi-Fi access for 60 days (beginning Sept 21) to households with K-12th graders, college students, and/or educators who do not currently have service. Call (844) 310-1198 to enroll. A free self-installation kit will be provided.
It will continue to offer Spectrum Internet Access to eligible low-income households, and will be opening Wi-Fi hotspots for public use.
Spectrum is also offering free Spectrum Internet and Wi-Fi access for 60 days (beginning Sept 21) to households with K-12th graders, college students, and/or educators who do not currently have service. Call (844) 310-1198 to enroll. A free self-installation kit will be provided.
It will continue to offer Spectrum Internet Access to eligible low-income households, and will be opening Wi-Fi hotspots for public use.
BOARD OF WATER SUPPLY
Your water is safe to drink. The water system is a closed pressurized system and it is nearly impossible to introduce foreign objects, bacteria or viruses into the system. The water is disinfected with chlorine at levels that are effective in killing bacteria and viruses. Testing is conducted daily to ensure disinfection levels are maintained and the water is safe to drink.
The Board of Water Supply has suspended water shut-offs through June 30, 2020. Customers with outstanding balances should call (808) 748-5070 to set up a payment plan. Customers who typically pay their bill on Beretania, at a satellite hall, or at a Bank of Hawaii branch should consider paying online, by mail, by phone, or via automatic payments.
The Board of Water Supply is closed pursuant to the Governor and Mayor's "Stay at Home / Work from Home" orders. BWS has also cancelled or postponed all public events/activities to prevent community spread. Visit their website for updates.
The Board of Water Supply has suspended water shut-offs through June 30, 2020. Customers with outstanding balances should call (808) 748-5070 to set up a payment plan. Customers who typically pay their bill on Beretania, at a satellite hall, or at a Bank of Hawaii branch should consider paying online, by mail, by phone, or via automatic payments.
The Board of Water Supply is closed pursuant to the Governor and Mayor's "Stay at Home / Work from Home" orders. BWS has also cancelled or postponed all public events/activities to prevent community spread. Visit their website for updates.
INTERNET AND MOBILE SERVICES
The following companies provide free internet and mobile services for individuals and families needing assistance. Legal Aid does not endorse the organizations sponsoring linked websites, and we do not endorse the views they express or the products/services they offer.
Comcast:
Comcast:
- Free public Wi-Fi for 60 days is available to families who do not have a subscription already.
- Speeds will increase for all new and existing customers.
- Free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12, college students, and/or educators who do not already have a subscription, with waived installation fees.
- Call (844) 310-1198 to enroll.
- Free Altice access for 60 days for households with K-12 and/or college age students who do not currently have home access.
- Altice has pledged to provide affordable options for families. Visit the Altice website for more information.
- AT&T is offering internet access for qualifying limited income households for $10 per month at this link.
- Verizon is willing to work with customers to set up payment plans. If you have not already done so, contact Verizon at this link.
- T-Mobile support is available to help customers set up a payment plan if they are having a difficult time paying the bills. Visit their website or call 611 from your T-Mobile device.
- It is increasing data allowance for free for schools and students using certain learning programs.
- As of April 1, 2020, Sprint is a T-Mobile company. For information about changes in coverage or payment plans, contact T-Mobile.
