The Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council will be taking applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program beginning June 1 through June 30. The agency will be closed June 11, King Kamehameha Day. ADVERTISING The Hawaii County Economic Opportunity
The Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council will be taking applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program beginning June 1 through June 30. The agency will be closed June 11, King Kamehameha Day.
The latest Census Bureau statistics indicate 11.2 percent of people in Hawaii are considered living in poverty; the rate for the Big Island is 19.5 percent.
Eligible low-income residents can apply for assistance with their HELCO or gas bill, or apply for the Energy Crisis Intervention program for assistance to stop termination of electricity service.
The Energy Crisis Intervention program is available throughout the year to assist eligible low-income individuals and families to maintain their electric service.
Applications will be taken at the following sites between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday:
• Hilo, 47 Rainbow Drive.
• Pahoa, Pahoa Community Center.
• Naalehu, HCEOC Youth Center (behind Naalehu Community Center/Senior Nutrition Site).
• Hawaiian Ocean View, Monday and Wednesday only, Ocean View Community Center.
• Pahala, Tuesday only, Olson Trust Building, 96-320 Maile St., conference room on mauka entrance.
• Kona, HCEOC, 76-6804 Mamalahoa Highway, Holualoa.
• Honokaa, HCEOC, 45-3380 Mamane St.
Documents that will be needed:
• Most recent HELCO electric bill or past two Gasco bills (cannot be more than 30 days old).
• Photo ID for all household members 18 years and older.
• Social Security Number verification for all adults and children older than 1 in the household; children younger than 1 must have birth certificate.
• Citizenship verification: birth certificate, passport, INS card I94.
• Proof of income: Social Security, pension, disability, unemployment, general assistance, other payments and bank statements.
• Adults with no income must bring a notarized/sworn statement.
• Proof of physical address (rental agreement, lease or deed, property tax bill).
• Final utility termination notice (if you’ve received a shut-off notice from HELCO).
For more information, call HCEOC at 961-2681, ext. 415.
