Help paying your electric bill in Hawaii
Hawaii got $8.6 million in the HHS table, about $18 for each of its 488,991 households. Income limit 60% of state median income; public line 855-643-1643. Heating help reached 7,171 households in FY2024.
Who to call in Hawaii
- Hawaii LIHEAP public line855-643-1643
- State program sitehumanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd/liheap
- Hawaii Public Utilities Commission808-586-2020 · puc.hawaii.gov · complaint form (links checked 2026-10-02)
Hawaii in numbers
- Hawaii ranks 48th of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($18), 42nd on households below the poverty line (10.2%) and 36th on low-income energy burden (8.3%).
- Per household below the poverty line (49,685 of them) the FY26 funds come to $173, rank 42nd of 51: 7% of a typical year's electricity ($2,488). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 7,910 households got help in FY2022 against 118,427 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 7% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $2,398, 96% of that year.
- Heating season: March 1 - September 30. Counted FY2024: heating, weatherization.
LIHEAP in Hawaii: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | Hawaii | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $8,596,051 = $7,560,091 + $164,543 IIJA + $871,417 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | Heating, Cooling, Crisis: 60% State Median Income (11+ household members at 150% Federal Poverty Level) Weatherization: 200% Federal Poverty Level | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating and Cooling: $375 minimum, $1400 maximum Crisis: $700 maximum | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 7,171 Year-round Crisis: 1,640 Weatherization: 53 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Program dates | Heating and Cooling: March 1 - September 30 Crisis: year-round Weatherization: year-round | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
CSV
CSVAm I likely eligible in Hawaii?
Hawaii sets its limit at 60% of state median income; no estimate here. Median household income is $98,317.
Hawaii on the map
Shutoff rules and moratoria in Hawaii
Hawaii: cold weather by none listed; hot weather by none listed; health or age needs no.
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites Hawaiian Public Utilities Commission.
Secondary source, 2 October 2026: Hawaiian Electric Co. Tariff Rule No. 7, Discontinuance and Restoration of Service (Sheets 15, 16, 16.1, 16A), as approved by the Hawaii PUC; no statewide PUC residential disconnection rule text found. Read only Hawaiian Electric's tariff Rule 7. For unpaid bills the company must give written notice of at least 5 days (excluding Sundays and holidays). It may not disconnect around days its office is closed. No cold/heat or medical protections appear in this tariff text; the old HAR 6-61 is not a disconnection rule. Quote: “the customer shall be allowed a reasonable time in which to comply with the rule before service is discontinued”. Source: text of the rule (other (utility tariff PDF on hawaiianelectric.com; not a PUC administrative rule)).
| Point | Hawaii: Hawaiian Electric Co. Tariff Rule No. 7, Discontinuance and Restoration of Service (Sheets 15, 16, 16.1, 16A), as approved by the Hawaii PUC; no statewide PUC residential disconnection rule text found |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | no season or temperature ban found in the text read |
| Heat | no season or temperature ban found in the text read |
| Who is protected | no medical-certificate or protected-group postponement found in Rule 7 as read |
| Notice | Nonpayment: written notice giving at least 5 days, excluding Sundays and holidays, to settle the account (Rule 7A8). No discontinuance on the day before, or on, days the company business office is closed unless payment/reconnection provisions are made. |
| Payment plan | Not addressed in Rule 7 as read. Rule 7B (effective Aug 1 2026) lets the company limit service (AMI-metered residential single-phase) for 7-8 days instead of terminating, after the same 5-day notice. |
| Who the rule covers | Hawaiian Electric Company customers only (utility tariff). Other Hawaii utilities (e.g. KIUC, Maui/Hawaii island cooperatives) not covered by text read. |
| Complaints | Hawaii Public Utilities Commission: 808-586-2020 appears on the PUC website footer (puc.hawaii.gov, read this session). The specific PUC complaint page URL returned 404. |
Did not read any PUC General Order 7 provisions on disconnection (scanned PDF illegible), other utilities' tariffs, or Hawaiian Electric's separate medical/life-support procedures.
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
How heavy is the energy bill in Hawaii?
8.3% of income in low-income households, 2.1% overall. Ranking, Hawaii prices.
| Group | Count | Hawaii detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 118,427 households | 8.3% of income; $1,989 a year on $24,072 | rank 36 of 51 |
| All households | 483,906 households | 2.1%; $2,451 on $113,838 | rank 37 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 49,685 households | 10.2% of 488,991 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 42 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 40.59 ¢/kWh | bill $207 a month at 511 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVUtility and state bill programs in Hawaii
None listed for Hawaii in the snapshot of 20 Apr 2026; ask the utility.
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in Hawaii
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (Hawaii Public Utilities Commission sets rules).
- Call 855-643-1643 or 211.
- Ask about none listed-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, 808-586-2020.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
Is LIHEAP money enough for a Hawaii bill?
$173 per poor household, 7% of $2,488.
How much LIHEAP money does Hawaii get?
$8.6 million in FY2026, $18 per household, rank 48 of 51.
What income limit does Hawaii use for LIHEAP?
60% of state median income; median household income $98,317; FY2022 heating standard 149% for four.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Hawaii?
Call 855-643-1643. Site: https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd/liheap/
Can Hawaii utilities cut power in winter or summer?
none listed for cold; none listed for heat.
How big is the energy burden in Hawaii?
8.3% of income for low-income households, 2.1% for all; $1,989 a year for the first group.
How many Hawaii households got energy help?
7,910 in FY2022, 7,171 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $2,398.