H-HEAP (Hawaiʻi Home Energy Assistance Program)

What is it? 

H-HEAP is a federal program that provides electric/gas bill assistance for low-income households. A one-time payment per program year of either Energy Credit (EC) or Energy Crisis Intervention (ECI) will be offered, in which EC applications are only accepted in the month of June and ECI applications are accepted year-round (however the amount of approvals per month is limited and can fill up quickly). 

H-HEAP’s fiscal year usually occurs from October 3rd -September 30th every year.

Honolulu Community Action Program (HCAP) is the agency that will be processing the application forms to determine whether a client may qualify for H-HEAP. 

Who qualifies? 

• Low-income family households 

• Provides Notice of Disconnection (For ECI applicants) 

• Applicant must be at or below 60% of the State Median Income 

• Those with an active utility account 

• Families must have at least one person in the household who is a US citizen. (Born in Hawaii or holds a green card). Household income is calculated based on # of citizens in the household.  

What to provide 

• Completed H-HEAP application (Must provide signatures from all household members over the age of 18) 

• Most recent HECO electric/utility bill (provide entirety of it showing usage) 

• Notice of disconnection, five day shut-off notice, or urgent status notification letter 

• Valid picture ID for all household members over the age of 18 years old 

• Proof of citizenship 

  • Birth certificate, passport, Permanent Resident Alien card (Green card) 

• Social Security Number (SSN) for all household members over the age of 1 year old 

• Proof of residence 

  • Rental/Lease Agreement, phone bill, cable bill, etc. 

• Proof of income for all sources in the household from Jan. 1 to present 

  • Paystubs, child support, self-employment, unemployment

  • Possible income exemption if one household member receives SNAP, TANF, or SSI benefits 

 Application process  

• Gather all documents and completed application form (signed). 

  • To access H-HEAP application form, clients must go to https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/billing-and-payment/payment-assistance/low-income-programs/h-heap and scroll down and click “apply now” to receive a pdf application form and completely fill it out. 

  • Do not leave any questions blank, use “N/A” or “none” when necessary, or “zero” if no one in client’s household receives income type.  

• Call the nearest HCAP district service center (Kalihi-Palama) to schedule an appointment to bring all documents and application form in-person. 

• Client will be notified by HCAP if application has been approved. 

H-HEAP & HCAP links 

• LIHEAP/LIHWAP application: https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/documents/billing_and_payment/payment_assistance/hheap_application.pdf  

• HCAP LIHEAP/LIHWAP program information page: https://www.hcapweb.org/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap/