HCAP WEEKLY May 10, 2021

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Starts June 1

The Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc. (HCAP) will be accepting applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) starting June 1, 2021 on Oʻahu!  

LIHEAP is a federally-funded program offered once per year to assist low-income households in meeting their home energy needs. The program provides income-eligible households with assistance in paying their electric or gas bills. In 2020, HCAP helped 4,862 Oʻahu households apply for energy assistance through LIHEAP. 

Qualifying Oʻahu residents may apply for one of two programs available through LIHEAP in 2021. The first is “Gas or Electric Bill Payment Assistance,” whereby an energy credit is applied to the gas or electric accounts of households  having difficulty paying these bills. The second is “Energy Crisis Intervention,” whereby households whose electricity has been shut off or is scheduled to be shut off within seven days are provided financial assistance.  

Individuals and families whose household income has been reduced due to COVID-19 may be eligible for Disaster Energy Crisis Intervention benefits with different income limits than are typically required for LIHEAP. Those individuals and families must provide details of reduced income caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and supporting documents such as a letter from their employer, unemployment award letter, or urgent past-due utility bill notice. 

All applications for LIHEAP must be submitted either via DocuSign form and emailed to liheapapplication@hcapweb.org, sent via postmarked mail, or dropped off at one of HCAP’s District Service Centers by June 30, 2021. 

Those interested in applying can access an application through the HCAP website by clicking here.

Potential applicants are also able to call any of the HCAP District Service Centers for more information on the application process and program requirements.

Food Pantry Opens at Leahi District Service Center

This week, the Leahi District Service Center received their first order of grocery items to stock the Kōkua Food Assistance Program food pantry. Through the Kōkua Food Assistance Program, HCAP has been able to provide emergency food assistance to eligible individuals and families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The food pantry provides a variety of non-perishable grocery items to the many members of the community who have struggled to put food on the table in the past year. 

To learn more about the Kōkua Food Assistance Program, visit https://www.hcapweb.org/kokua-food-assistance-program/

HCAP Program Participant Continues Reaching Employment Milestones

A year and a half ago, Jessica was a single mother struggling to get back on her feet after facing personal and financial hardships. She came to the Windward District Service Center in search of housing assistance. Staff at the Windward District Service Center were able to help Jessica and her young son find temporary housing, while also providing them with continued support and case management services. 

Despite the added challenges of the pandemic, Jessica continued taking steps toward self-sufficiency. By the start of this year, Jessica found permanent housing and was ready to start tackling her career and education goals, even in the midst of statewide shutdowns. 

Jessica registered for HCAP’s Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program and completed her Job Readiness Training remotely. With her resume updated and training complete, Jessica applied and was hired for a full-time position at Goodwill!

Since starting work at Goodwill, Jessica has continued to provide monthly updates to the Nā Lima Hana program to mark her employment milestones. She has already surpassed 180 days on the job! 

Jessica is grateful for the services HCAP has provided her so far, and she is already looking toward her next goal of going back to school to further her education and career potential. The staff at Windward District Service Center are looking forward to seeing what lies ahead for Jessica in her future endeavors. 

To learn more about The Nā Lima Hana Employment Core Services Program, visit https://www.hcapweb.org/na-lima-hana-employment-core-services-program/

Back in the Classroom with Head Start Keiki!

HCAP Head Start keiki have been back in-person learning for a few weeks and they have been enjoying the different educational activities the classroom has to offer!

Home Center & Reading Nook

Kayden at Pohakea I used his imagination to prepare a healthy meal in his classroom’s Home Center. Kayden acted out different ways to prepare a healthy meal, choosing to make a salad using some pretend lettuce. Role playing helps keiki like Kayden build skills that they can later apply to their real-world activities. 

For Zhailee-Rae, reading is an exciting part of being back in the Pohakea I classroom! During indoor center time, Zhailee-Rae chose to look at the book “Llama Llama Are You My Mama?” in the Reading Nook. Zhailee-Rae understands that print and pictures carry a message, and the illustrations help her piece together the meaning of the book.

HCAP Head Start and Early Head Start are accepting applications for the 2021-2022 school year! Click Here for More Information.