Has your electricity been disconnected? Are you receiving past due notices and cut-off threats? If so, you be surprised to find out that there actually are legitimate programs that provide help with power bills when you are facing a financial crisis.
Some of these programs are government funded while others are charitable services in your community. See if you qualify for electric bill assistance available to residents of
- Captain Cook
- Hawi
- Hilo
- Holualoa
- Honokaa
- Honomu
- Kailua
- Kapaau
- Keaau
- Kealakekua
- Kurtistown
- Laupahoehoe
- Mountain View
- Naalehu
- Paauilo
- Pahala
- Pahoa
- Papaikou
- Pepeekeo
- Volcano
- also in surrounding communities.
Catholic Charities Hawaii
Lower income families may find it helpful to apply for electric bill help through the Catholic Charities Hawaii Community Assistance Program. This charitable program provides emergency funding for rent, electricity, gas and even water bills.
Households must be considered lower income to qualify. Help may be available if you are in imminent danger of having your electricity disconnected due to nonpayment. Assistance is limited to only once per calendar year, as this is designed to be used for a temporary hardship only.
To apply for help, contact Catholic Charities Hawaii’s Kauai office at 808-241-4673.
Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council
Federal funding is provided to Hawaii island residents who need help with either emergency assistance. A one-time cash grant ($100 maximum) may be applied towards your electric bill in order to help you keep your lights on. This service is designed for lower income families that have experienced a temporary and traumatic financial emergency.
If you are having long-term problems paying for your electricity usage, then you may be a candidate for ongoing electric bill help. Every June, The Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council (HCEOC) accepts applications for energy credits that are applied to your electricity account. Those credits are used to lessen the impact of rate increases and to make your bills more affordable.
HCEOC is the administrator of federal funds distributed through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). To find out how to apply for help through the federal program, contact HCEOC at 808-961-2681.
To facilitate the application for either program, you will need to be able to supply proof that you owe the bill. Additionally, your application will require information about all members of your household, including total income earned this year. Instead of dealing with energy problems on your own, get help with your electric bill today.
Long is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Industrial Relations. He subsequently received his Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University. His Certificate in Financial Planning was issued by Florida State University.
Long has achieved the Accredited Credit Counselor and Accredited Financial Counselor certifications through the Association for Financial Counseling, Planning and Education. Long originally achieved the Certified Credit Counselor designation through the National Institute for Financial Education.
In addition to years of nonprofit leadership, Long has been an innovator in the field of volunteer tax return preparation programs. He assists volunteer associations and nonprofit organizations who seek to integrate credit counseling and asset-building programs with free personal income tax preparation. His approach to using free credit reports as both an incentive and a screening tool for placement into asset-building programs has been shared with members of the National Community Tax Coalition, the EITC-Carolinas Initiative of MDC, Inc. and nonprofit groups across the Carolinas.
Long assists members of our armed forces in the Carolinas, Iowa, Rhode Island, Georgia and Germany with financial readiness. Please support our Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Sailors!
Favorite quote:
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."
Thomas Jefferson
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