Last updated 6/15/2021
UTility assistance programs
See more details for the following utility programs on our Rent/Mortgage Assistance Page.
MAUI
Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. provides Maui residents with financial assistance for rent/mortgage, utilities, food, internet, medical, and other essential needs.
Apply on Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. Checklist & Application Form
KAUA‘I AND NI‘IHAU
Kaua‘i 2021 Coronavirus Rental and Utility Assistance Program will provide up to 12 months of support for utility fees (no limit) and rental fees (limit of $4,500/m).
Apply on kauairenthelp.com or submit a paper application
HAWAI‘I ISLAND
The Hawaiʻi County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) provides up to 12 months of support (between March 2020 and December 2021) with rent and utility grants.
Apply through an ERAP nonprofit partner:
O‘AHU
Hale Kākou Program is providing utility assistance. -- This program has been suspended. No new applications are accepted.
Apply:
The City and County of Honolulu's Rental & Utility Relief Program provides up to 12 months of support for rent and household utility bills for electricity, sewer and water, and gas.
Apply on oneoahu.org/renthelp or with a community partner assisted application
MAUI
Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. provides Maui residents with financial assistance for rent/mortgage, utilities, food, internet, medical, and other essential needs.
Apply on Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. Checklist & Application Form
KAUA‘I AND NI‘IHAU
Kaua‘i 2021 Coronavirus Rental and Utility Assistance Program will provide up to 12 months of support for utility fees (no limit) and rental fees (limit of $4,500/m).
Apply on kauairenthelp.com or submit a paper application
HAWAI‘I ISLAND
The Hawaiʻi County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) provides up to 12 months of support (between March 2020 and December 2021) with rent and utility grants.
Apply through an ERAP nonprofit partner:
- 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)
O‘AHU
Hale Kākou Program is providing utility assistance. -- This program has been suspended. No new applications are accepted.
Apply:
- Central District Service Center: 488-6834
- Kalihi-Palama District Service Center: 847-0804
- Leahi District Service Center: 732-7755
- Leeward District Service Center: 696-4261
- Windward District Service Center: 239-5754
The City and County of Honolulu's Rental & Utility Relief Program provides up to 12 months of support for rent and household utility bills for electricity, sewer and water, and gas.
Apply on oneoahu.org/renthelp or with a community partner assisted application
Emergency Broadband Benefit Providers
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program was established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) earlier this year to help households struggling to pay for internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible Hawaii households can receive:
Eligibility Requirements
Participating Hawaii Internet Service Providers
Application
Three options:
Enroll
Once your application is approved, you can choose a company that offers EBB Program discounts and sign up for service. Talk to a participating provider to learn more about what services they have available for EBB recipients and to find out how to enroll.
USAC EBB Call Center
(833) 511-0311 or email broadbandbenefit@fcc.gov
9am HST to 3pm HST, 7 days a week
The call center assists with questions about the application, documents needed to show qualification, providers in area, resetting USAC account, and assistance with the EBB program Household Worksheet
Bilingual Access: Over 200 languages represented at the call center.
See the Resource Site for the most up to date information.
- Up to $50 towards internet services on monthly bills
- For Hawaiian Homelands' residents, up to $75 towards internet services on monthly bill with participating provider
- Up to $100, one-time device credit towards the purchase of a computer, tablet, or cell with a co-payment of $10 but not more than $50
Eligibility Requirements
- Households with a child receiving free or reduced lunch; or
- Students who received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; or
- Households who experienced a substantial loss of total income in 2020 (under $99k for Single filers or under $198k for joint filers)
- SNAP/TANF recipients; or
- Low-income households at or below 135% federal poverty levels.
Participating Hawaii Internet Service Providers
- Aloha Broadband
- American Broadband and Telecommunications Company
- AT&T
- Boost Mobile
- Charter Spectrum
- Cricket Wireless
- enTouch Wireless
- good2go mobile
- Hawaiian Telcom
- Metro by T-Mobile
- PCsforPeople
- Q Link Wireless
- Ready Wireless
- Sano Health
- Selectel Wireless
- StandUp Wireless
- T-Mobile
- TracFone Wireless
- Truconnect
- Verizon
Application
Three options:
- Contact your internet service provider directly to learn about their application process and what benefits they will offer
- Apply online at GetEmergencyBroadband.org
- Call 833-511-0311 for a mail-in application and mail it with your proof of eligibility to: Emergency Broadband Support Center, P.O. Box 7081 London, KY 40742
Enroll
Once your application is approved, you can choose a company that offers EBB Program discounts and sign up for service. Talk to a participating provider to learn more about what services they have available for EBB recipients and to find out how to enroll.
USAC EBB Call Center
(833) 511-0311 or email broadbandbenefit@fcc.gov
9am HST to 3pm HST, 7 days a week
The call center assists with questions about the application, documents needed to show qualification, providers in area, resetting USAC account, and assistance with the EBB program Household Worksheet
Bilingual Access: Over 200 languages represented at the call center.
See the Resource Site for the most up to date information.
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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)
The moratorium ended on May 31, 2021 for nonpayment of utility fees. On June 1, 2021, HECO did not immediately trigger disconnections. Customers are urged to setup a payment plan. Go to hawaiianelectric.com/paymentarrangement to create a payment plan.
COVID-19 Update Flyer in multiple languages:
Fill out the Payment Arrangement Request Form listed on the page. Payment Arrangement Forms:
Call (808) 548-7311 for further assistance.
COVID-19 Update Flyer in multiple languages:
- 支払い猶予期 間は 5/31/21 で終了します Japanese (PDF)
- 断电客户暂缓支 付计划截止于 2021年5月31日 Chinese (PDF)
- Kojela in Kun Jarom Enaj Jemlok ilo 5/31/21 Marshallese (PDF)
- Lei a wes manamanen ewe annuk an esapw keuno an emon arams fifi 5/31/21 Chuukese (PDF)
- 2021 년 5 월 31 일 단절 유예 시간이 마감 되었습니다 Korean (PDF)
- Cho phép trả tiền trễ hạn cắt điện kết thúc vào 31/05/21 Vietnamese (PDF)
- Nagpatinggan idi 5/31/21 ti pannakaitantan ti pannaputed ti serbisio Ilocano (PDF)
Fill out the Payment Arrangement Request Form listed on the page. Payment Arrangement Forms:
- 支払い手配リクエスト Japanese (PDF)
- 付款安排要求 Chinese (PDF)
- Payment Arrangement Request Marshallese (PDF)
- Tungorun Kokotun Momotiwen Liwinimang Chuukese (PDF)
- 지불 협정 신청 Korean (PDF)
- YÊU CẦU SẮP XẾP TRẢ TIỀN Vietnamese (PDF)
- Dawat a Pannaka-Urnos Ti Panagbayad Ilocano (PDF)
Call (808) 548-7311 for further assistance.
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.
