Hawai’i Home Energy Assistance Program (H-HEAP)

Formerly known as LIHEAP.

The Hawai’i Home Energy Assistance Program (H-HEAP) is designed to help families keep their utilities (gas or electric) on, especially those households that are most vulnerable, such as the elderly, the disabled, and households with young children. H-HEAP primarily assists households by applying an energy assistance grant directly to the energy provider on behalf of the eligible household through either the Energy Credit (EC) or, for households that have a notice of disconnection from the utility company, the Energy Crisis Intervention (ECI).

APPLY for H-HEAP – Energy Assistance

H-HEAP Eligibility

View the H-HEAP Income Eligibility (2025) here to see if you are eligible.

Income Exemption: The household* may qualify regardless of income if there is at least one person in the household that receives, TANF, SNAP (Food Stamps), and/or SSI benefits. Household may be eligible for an income exemption after proof of income from the month prior to applying is presented.

Households* may apply for the Energy Credit or Energy Crisis Intervention once per program year.

The H-HEAP applicant/household must be paying the utility bill, have their rent include electric/gas, or have electric/gas costs prorated amongst units on a shared meter and owe a share. If the utility bill is paid by a third party not in the household, the household shall not be eligible.

To apply:

• Applicants must meet the income eligibility requirements (view attachment above) and have an active utility account.
• Applicant must provide their picture ID, social security card, proof of income, and a current electric bill.
  • Proof of income: all sources of the household’s* earned and unearned income received in the month prior to application. (Paystubs, Social Security, child support, unemployment, self employment, etc.)
• Everyone who lives in the house (or uses the electricity if more than one dwelling is on one electric meter) must be listed as part of the household.

Energy Credit (EC) 

The purpose of the EC is to provide supplemental support to offset client energy costs.

• Applications are closed for 2024. Energy Credit applications re-open in June 2025.
• Applicants must have an active utility account.
• The amount of the credit given to each household varies each year.

Energy Crisis Intervention (ECI)

The purpose of the ECI is to restore or prevent termination of electric or gas power in the current residence.

• Applicants must have a notice of disconnection.
• Applications are processed year-round, although funding is limited.

*According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, “Household means any/all individuals or group of individuals who are living together as one economic unit for whom residential energy service is customarily purchased in common. All individuals living in the residence on the first day of the month of application and who will benefit from the H-HEAP credit when it is applied to the utility account shall be included in the application filed by the household. “