Hawaii State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
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Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program (H-HEAP) (LIHEAP) in Hawaii
Hawaii's version of LIHEAP, called H-HEAP, makes a one-time payment toward your electric or gas bill.
The regular Energy Credit takes applications only in June; Energy Crisis Intervention helps all year if your power has been or will be shut off. You apply through the community action agency for your island, not a state office.
How to apply in Hawaii
- In person
- Send or bring your application and documents to the community action agency for your island: Honolulu Community Action Program on Oahu, Maui Economic Opportunity for Maui, Molokai and Lanai, Kauai Economic Opportunity on Kauai, and Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council on the Big Island. The state's application packet lists their offices and phone numbers. Don't send applications to Department of Human Services offices; that delays them.
Who may qualify in Hawaii
| Income limit, one person (2027, from the Honolulu agency's posted chart) | $43,200 a year for one person (60% of state median income) |
|---|---|
| Income limit, two people (2027) | $56,492 a year for two people |
| Who pays the bill | Your household must pay the electric or gas bill, have it included in your rent, or share a meter and owe a share. If the account is in someone else's name, including a spouse, they must sign a consent form and show ID. |
| What to bring | Photo ID, proof of Social Security numbers for everyone over 1, proof of where you live, your whole current utility bill, and all household income from last month. For crisis help, add the disconnection notice. |
What you may get
| Energy Credit amount | A one-time payment sent to your utility. The amount changes every year. |
|---|---|
| Energy Crisis Intervention | Helps restore or prevent a gas or electric shut-off when you have a disconnection notice. Applications are taken all year, but only a limited number are approved each month. |
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| Energy Credit sign-up | June 1 to June 30 only |
|---|---|
| Energy Crisis Intervention | Year-round, while monthly funds last |
How Hawaii is different
Where Hawaii's rules differ from the federal rules for LIHEAP heating and cooling help.
- The regular benefit takes applications only in June, not in the fall
- A household can get only one H-HEAP payment a program year: either the Energy Credit or crisis help, not both
Good to know
- The Honolulu agency says Energy Credit applications are closed for 2026 and reopen in June 2027.
- The program year runs Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.
- The state H-HEAP office does not take or process applications. For questions, contact the community action agency for your island.
Sources: Honolulu Community Action Program (source 3), Hawaii Department of Human Services (source 2)
Free help
Free help with this in Hawaii
Executive Office on Aging (EOA)
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Hawaii
Help with heating and cooling bills in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
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- Michigan
- Minnesota
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- Missouri
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- New Hampshire
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- North Carolina
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- Ohio
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- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- Hawaii Department of Human Services, Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program (H-HEAP) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Hawaii Department of Human Services, Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program (H-HEAP) 2026 Application Packet (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Honolulu Community Action Program, Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program (H-HEAP). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Honolulu Community Action Program, 2027 H-HEAP Income Limits. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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