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Covid-19 Financial Relief for Energy Bills

May 24, 2021

From the Office for Social Ministry

If you or someone you know is having trouble paying their energy bills, help is available through the federally-funded LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program). Thanks to additional CARES Act funds, qualifying low-income households may apply for the following types of assistance: Energy Credit (EC) or Emergency Crisis Intervention (ECI). All benefits are paid as a one-time only credit paid directly to the customer’s utility company of choice, which includes Hawaiian Electric, Hawaii Gas, and Kauai Island Utility.

Energy Credit (EC)

EC assists households that are not in crisis, but need help paying monthly bills. Applications are only accepted once a year during the month of June. The amount of credit varies each year and is based on the total number of people living in the house. Applicants must have an active electric account and are required to submit a current electric bill.

Emergency Crisis Intervention (ECI)

ECI assists households in crisis that has been or will be disconnected; and have received Notice of Disconnection. Applications are accepted throughout the year; however, approvals are limited each month. The ECI credit is a fixed amount.

For eligibility information and a complete application packet, please visit the Department of Human Services website.

To Apply – Applicants must provide picture IDs for all adults, social security cards for everyone in the household, proof of income, and a current, original electric bill.  PLEASE DO NOT submit applications or forms directly to the Department of Human Services. Instead, send them to the Community Action Agency on your island at the following contact information below:

Oahu Honolulu Community Action Program (HCAP) HCAP Central:  (808)-488-6834 HCAP Kalihi/Palama:  (808)-847-0804 HCAP Leahi: (808)-732-7755 HCAP Leeward: (808)-696-4261 HCAP Windward: (808)-239-5754 www.hcapweb.org

Maui County Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) Maui Main Office: 808-249-2970 Hana: 808-243-4342 Molokai: 808-553-3216 Lanai: 808-565-6665 www.meoinc.org

Hawaii Island Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council (HCEOC) Hilo: 961-2681 ext. 108 hceoc.net

Please share this information with your parish community. For additional COVID-19 resources, please visit the OSM Website.