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Hawaii utility help
Last updated: October 16, 2026
If an electric, gas, water, phone, or internet bill is becoming hard to pay, Hawaii has several different help routes. The right first step depends on your island, utility, whether you have a shutoff notice, and whether someone in the home has a medical need.
Bottom Line
For electric or gas help, start with the Hawaii H-HEAP page and the Community Action Agency for your island. The crisis part of H-HEAP accepts applications year-round when service has been disconnected or is at risk of disconnection. Regular Energy Credit applications are accepted only during the posted June filing period.
If you already have a disconnect notice, contact your utility about a payment arrangement and your island Community Action Agency about crisis help the same day. Keep the written notice. Hawaii electric and gas rules also require special consideration when the customer is age 62 or older or has a qualifying disability.
If Shutoff or Medical Safety Is Urgent
- Power or gas shutoff notice: Call the utility and your island H-HEAP agency the same day. Crisis slots are limited each month.
- Electric medical equipment: Tell the utility and ask about its medical or life-support program. Registration does not guarantee uninterrupted power, so make an outage backup plan.
- Maui customers: Hawaiian Electric says service disconnections for customers on Maui are suspended through 23 October 2026, with late fees and interest not charged during that period. Check the Maui recovery notice before relying on the date because temporary protections can change.
- Possible scam: Do not pay a caller who demands immediate payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, or money transfer. Hawaiian Electric says it does not threaten immediate shutoff without prior written notice. See its fraud warning.
If you need local crisis referrals for utilities, food, shelter, or other basic needs, call 211 or use Aloha United Way 211. You can also use our Hawaii emergency help guide.
Start Here
- Read the notice. Find the shutoff date, past-due amount, account number, and utility phone number.
- Call both doors. Ask the utility for a payment arrangement and the Community Action Agency for H-HEAP crisis screening.
- Ask for backup help. If H-HEAP cannot help, call 211 and ask for open utility-assistance funds in your ZIP code.
For a broader map of state benefits, see our Hawaii senior assistance guide. If online benefit systems are confusing, our Hawaii benefits portals guide explains the main state entry points.
Quick Utility Help Table
| Problem | Best first route | Timing | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric or gas shutoff notice | H-HEAP ECI plus utility | Year-round crisis intake | Monthly approvals are limited. |
| High electric or gas bill, no crisis | H-HEAP Energy Credit | June 1–30 under posted rules | It is a one-time payment, not monthly help. |
| Past-due electric bill | Utility payment plan | Call before shutoff | Future bills still must be paid. |
| High energy use | Weatherization | Ask year-round | This lowers future use; it does not erase arrears. |
| Medical equipment needs power | Utility medical program | Enroll before a crisis | Outages can still happen. |
| Water or sewer arrears | County utility plus 211 | Call early | Federal LIHWAP is no longer funded. |
| Phone or internet bill | Lifeline | Ongoing enrollment | One Lifeline benefit is allowed per household. |
How Utility Assistance Works in Hawaii
Hawaii does not have one office for every utility problem. The Department of Human Services oversees H-HEAP, but island Community Action Agencies process applications. Hawaiian Electric serves Oahu, Hawaii Island, Maui, Molokai, and Lanai; Kauai Island Utility Cooperative serves Kauai.
This split matters. A Kauai resident should not use a Hawaiian Electric payment form. The state also warns not to send H-HEAP applications to DHS offices; only the Community Action Agency serving the island accepts them.
| Area | H-HEAP agency | Electric utility | Weatherization contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oahu | HCAP: Central 808-488-6834; Kalihi/Palama 808-847-0804; Leahi 808-732-7755; Leeward 808-696-4261; Windward 808-239-5754 | Hawaiian Electric | HCAP: 808-447-5440 |
| Maui County | MEO Maui: 808-249-2970; Hana 808-248-8282; Molokai 808-553-3216; Lanai 808-565-6665 | Hawaiian Electric | MEO: 808-243-4342 |
| Hawaii Island | HCEOC: 808-731-7009, option 1 | Hawaiian Electric | HCEOC: 808-731-7009 |
| Kauai | KEO: 808-245-4077 | KIUC | KEO: 808-245-4077 |
Phone numbers above were checked against current utility or state weatherization pages. H-HEAP intake methods can change by filing cycle, so confirm whether your local office wants an appointment, mail, email, or in-person delivery.
H-HEAP: Hawaii’s Main Energy-Bill Program
H-HEAP can make a one-time payment toward an eligible household’s electric or gas bill. Energy Crisis Intervention (ECI) is for service that has been disconnected or is scheduled for disconnection because of nonpayment. Energy Credit (EC) is non-crisis help.
The current state H-HEAP instructions say ECI applications are accepted year-round, but the number approved each month is limited and slots can fill quickly. The posted rule for EC is a June 1–30 application period. A household may receive only one type of H-HEAP payment in a program year, which runs October 1 through September 30.
October 2026 Program-Year Warning
The 2026 H-HEAP plan covered October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026 and listed a $700 ECI maximum plus 2026 income limits. A new program year began October 1, 2026. Do not assume those old figures still control. Ask your island agency for the current cap and income standard.
Who may qualify
H-HEAP is income-tested and also has categorical rules tied to certain public benefits. Age alone does not make a senior eligible. Household income, household members, utility responsibility, and current program rules still matter.
If you receive Supplemental Security Income, SNAP, or another means-tested benefit, tell the worker. If food costs are forcing you to choose between groceries and electricity, our Hawaii SNAP guide can help you check food assistance separately.
What to prepare
Hawaiian Electric’s 2026 H-HEAP instructions list a recent bill, proof of residence, identification, household Social Security information where required, citizenship or eligible-status proof, and gross-income proof. Ask your Community Action Agency for its current checklist before sending documents.
If you are applying for crisis help, keep the actual disconnect notice. A bill showing a balance due is not always the same as a notice showing that service has been or will be disconnected.
Electric and Gas Shutoff Protections
Hawaii has statewide Public Utilities Commission rules for electric and gas service. Under electric and gas rules, a customer must be given at least 15 days to pay after the bill is issued. Before termination, the utility must provide reasonable written notice stating why service may end, the date on or after which termination may occur, what the customer must do to avoid it, and a phone number for utility representatives.
The rules say termination should not occur on Saturdays, Sundays, or utility holidays and should occur during normal working hours. They require special consideration for elderly and disabled customers. “Elderly” means age 62 or older. Before termination, the utility must submit a written report and investigation to the PUC at least five days before the planned date.
Reality Check
Special consideration is not debt forgiveness and is not a promise that service can never be disconnected. Use the extra time to work on a payment arrangement, H-HEAP crisis application, nonprofit help, or a billing dispute. If disability or medical needs affect your case, tell the utility early and ask what proof it needs.
If a regulated utility cannot resolve a billing or service dispute, the PUC explains how to file an informal utility complaint, including for disconnection issues.
Utility-Specific Help and Medical Protections
Hawaiian Electric: Oahu, Maui County, and Hawaii Island
Hawaiian Electric’s payment arrangement page currently offers, for a limited time, four- or six-month installment plans and a payment extension of up to 15 days. New monthly charges still must be paid. The utility says late fees are waived for these options.
If someone in the home has a serious medical condition or uses electric medical equipment, check both the Life Support and Special Medical Needs programs. The Life Support program keeps a record of medically dependent customers and says extra steps are taken when billing problems arise, including advance notice when disconnection is at risk. It does not guarantee uninterrupted power during outages.
The Special Medical Needs rate discounts the first 500 kWh by $0.04 per kWh, up to $20 a month. It is capped at 2,000 residential customers across Oahu, Maui County, and Hawaii Island, and is currently waitlisting applicants. A Hawaii-licensed physician must certify the need.
If you have a disability and need broader benefit or service navigation, our Hawaii disability help guide covers other state and local routes.
Kauai: KIUC
KIUC lists a payment arrangement plus local help on its payment assistance page. It points members to Kauai Economic Opportunity and Catholic Charities Hawaii. KIUC currently says the Catholic Charities route may provide a one-time credit up to $300 in 12 months for qualifying low-income households. Confirm funding before relying on an award.
KIUC also lets members identify themselves as elderly, disabled, or life-support. Its page defines elderly as age 62 or older and requires physician certification for disability or medical-equipment dependency.
For 2026, KIUC added a medical backup rebate up to $200 per account for eligible members using life-supporting medical equipment and registered with KIUC. Check the application before buying a battery backup or portable generator.
Weatherization Can Lower Future Bills
If the main problem is that your home uses too much electricity, bill assistance alone may not fix the problem. Hawaii’s Office of Community Services runs the Weatherization Assistance Program through the same four island Community Action Agencies.
The state says a potential participant must be within 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline. Priority is given to households with an older adult age 60 or over, a person with a disability, children, high energy use, or a high energy burden. Depending on the home and eligibility, measures can include efficient lighting, low-flow fixtures, advanced power strips, efficient water heating, room air conditioning, or refrigerator replacement.
Weatherization is different from H-HEAP. H-HEAP helps with a bill. Weatherization tries to reduce future energy use. It also is not a general home-repair program. If your problem is a roof, wiring, plumbing, accessibility, or a larger safety repair, see our Hawaii home repair guide.
What About Water and Sewer Bills?
Do not assume H-HEAP can pay a water or sewer bill. H-HEAP is a home-energy program for electric or gas costs. The separate federal Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, known as LIHWAP, is no longer funded; the federal Office of Community Services says LIHWAP ended in March 2024.
If you are behind on a county water bill, call the water department before disconnection and ask about payment arrangements or hardship help. Then call 211 for water-bill assistance in your ZIP code. Our Hawaii charities guide lists community backup routes.
There is an important complaint difference. The PUC complaint guidance says the commission does not regulate municipal or county water utilities such as the Honolulu Board of Water Supply or county water departments. A complaint about one of those systems should go to the water utility and local government.
Phone and Internet Help: Lifeline
For phone or internet service, the federal Lifeline program may lower the monthly bill for an eligible household. USAC says the current standard support is up to $9.25 a month for qualifying internet or broadband-bundled service and up to $5.25 a month for qualifying voice-only service. Only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household.
You may qualify through a benefit such as SNAP or Medicaid, or through income. The Lifeline eligibility page uses 135% of federal poverty guidelines and lists Hawaii’s 2026 annual screen at $24,786 for one person and $33,602 for two. Use the official Lifeline start page to apply.
How to Start Without Wasting Time
- Separate the bills. Make one small stack for electric or gas, one for water, and one for phone or internet. Each has a different help system.
- Mark any deadline. Circle a shutoff date, payment-plan due date, or application deadline.
- Gather proof. Keep ID, the latest bill, disconnect notice, proof of address, income records, benefit letters, and medical certification if relevant.
- Call the utility first. Ask what payment arrangement can stop or delay termination while you seek assistance.
- Call the correct CAA. For electric or gas help, use the island contacts in the table above. Do not send H-HEAP documents to a regular DHS office.
- Keep a call log. Write the date, worker’s name, what was promised, documents requested, and the next deadline.
If you need help finding your county aging office or a local navigator, our Hawaii Area Agencies guide can help.
Helpful Tip
When asking a charity or agency for utility help, say the exact amount past due and the shutoff date. “I need $___ by ___ to prevent disconnection” is easier to route than “I need help with bills.” Do not send Social Security numbers or account passwords to an organization until you have verified who it is and why the information is needed.
Reality Checks and Common Mistakes
- Waiting for June during a crisis. Energy Credit has a June filing window, but ECI is the crisis route and is accepted year-round under current state instructions.
- Sending H-HEAP to DHS. The state says island Community Action Agencies, not DHS offices, process applications.
- Assuming age guarantees aid. Senior status can matter for shutoff handling and weatherization priority, but H-HEAP still has program eligibility rules.
- Using an expired income chart. H-HEAP’s program year changed on October 1, 2026. Confirm the current threshold before deciding you are over or under the limit.
- Confusing medical registration with outage protection. Medical and life-support programs can improve communication and billing handling, but storms, wildfire safety shutoffs, and equipment failures can still interrupt power.
- Ignoring the new monthly bill. A payment arrangement for arrears normally does not stop new charges from coming due.
- Paying a scammer. A high-pressure demand for immediate payment by gift card, crypto, or unusual transfer is a major warning sign.
Denied, Delayed, or Still Short?
If H-HEAP is denied, ask for the written reason and the review or hearing route. Use the deadline on your notice or ask the agency for the current deadline.
If the problem is with a regulated electric or gas utility, try the utility’s complaint process first. If it remains unresolved, use the PUC informal complaint route. If the problem is a county water utility, work with the water department and local government instead.
If one program cannot cover the balance, ask whether the utility can combine a payment plan with an outside pledge. Call 211 and ask for programs that are open now.
Phone Scripts You Can Use
H-HEAP crisis call
“I am a Hawaii resident and I have a utility disconnect notice for [date]. I want to ask about Energy Crisis Intervention. Are applications open this month, what is the current income limit, and what documents should I bring?”
Utility payment-plan call
“My account is past due by $____. I am applying for outside assistance. What payment arrangement or extension can stop disconnection, and what amount must I pay now to keep the arrangement active?”
Medical-needs call
“Someone in my home uses [medical device] and depends on electricity. How do I register for your life-support or medical-needs program, what physician form is required, and what should we do if the account is at risk of disconnection?”
Billing-dispute call
“I dispute this charge because ____. Please note the dispute on my account, tell me what amount is not disputed, and send me the written result of your review. If we cannot resolve it, please tell me the next complaint step.”
Resumen en Español
Si una persona mayor en Hawái tiene una factura atrasada de electricidad o gas, el programa principal es H-HEAP. La ayuda de crisis ECI acepta solicitudes durante el año cuando el servicio fue desconectado o existe un aviso de desconexión. Solicite con la agencia comunitaria de su isla, no con una oficina normal de DHS.
Si tiene un aviso de corte, llame también a la compañía de servicios y pida un plan de pagos. Las reglas estatales dan consideración especial a clientes de 62 años o más y a ciertos clientes con discapacidad, pero esto no elimina la deuda. Si una persona usa equipo médico eléctrico, pida inscripción en el programa médico o de soporte vital de la compañía.
Para reducir facturas futuras, pregunte por Weatherization. Para agua, llame al departamento local y al 211; LIHWAP ya no tiene fondos. Para teléfono o internet, revise Lifeline. Guarde facturas, avisos de corte, identificación, ingresos y documentos médicos necesarios.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Hawaii seniors get help with utility bills?
Yes. Eligible households may use H-HEAP for a one-time electric or gas payment, utility payment arrangements, weatherization, local charitable help, or Lifeline for phone or internet. The right program depends on the bill, island, income, and whether there is a shutoff crisis.
What is the difference between ECI and Energy Credit?
Energy Crisis Intervention, or ECI, is for an electric or gas disconnection crisis and is accepted year-round under current Hawaii instructions, although monthly approvals are limited. Energy Credit is non-crisis help and the posted filing period is June 1 through June 30.
What is the current H-HEAP income limit and crisis amount?
The fully published 2026 plan ended September 30, 2026 and listed a $700 ECI maximum and 2026 income limits. A new H-HEAP program year began October 1. Because the state landing page does not yet provide a new consolidated amount and income chart, confirm the current program-year limit and maximum with your island Community Action Agency before relying on the old figures.
Can an electric company shut off a senior in Hawaii?
Age does not create complete shutoff immunity. Hawaii electric and gas rules require special consideration for customers age 62 or older and require a utility report and investigation to the PUC before a planned termination for an elderly or qualifying disabled customer. The bill still remains due.
What if I use electric medical equipment?
Tell your utility and ask to register for its life-support or medical-needs program. Hawaiian Electric and KIUC have medical or life-support processes. These programs can improve notice and assistance, but they do not guarantee power during an outage, so keep a medical and backup-power plan.
Is there help for water, phone, or internet bills?
Federal LIHWAP water funding ended in March 2024, so water customers should ask their local water utility about payment options and call 211 for open local help. For phone or internet, eligible households may use the federal Lifeline program, which provides a monthly service discount.
About This Guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
Editorial note
This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Corrections
Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we will respond within 72 hours.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the official program before acting.
Last updated: October 16, 2026 · Next review: January 14, 2027
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