The economy is taking steps toward recovery from what may have been the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, weekly case numbers are once again trending upward, and residents still face challenges on a daily basis. There are resources, COVID-related and not, available to help residents.

What You Need To Know

  • HECO customers will see a rise in electric bills over the next few months due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but they offer payment plan options

  • The 2022 City and County of Honolulu Rental and Utility Relief Program is accepting applications from households with income at or below the 50% area median income or are 90 days unemployed prior to the application date

  • The state’s Department of Human Services Med-QUEST Division provides access to health and medical coverage through managed care plans for eligible low-income adults and children; the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace is another option

  • FEMA is launching an ad campaign to reach out to those who have had a loved one pass due to COVID-19 and may qualify for financial aid

Utilities

Hawaiian Electric customers received a notice with their bill that the spike in oil prices due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will impact electric bills over the next few months. Oahu residents could see a 10% increase, while Hawaii and Maui County residents could see a 20% increase.

HECO offers payment plan options, however, on-time payments of ongoing monthly bills are still required, in addition to the payment plan options for past-due bills. They encourage customers to contact them as soon as possible before the bill due date to make payment arrangements. For Oahu customers, 808-548-7311; Maui County, 808-871-9777; Hawaii Island: 808-969-6999.

Households can apply for either the Energy Credit or Emergency Crisis Intervention option. Applications are only processed once a year in June and there are qualifications to fulfill upon applying. Click on the link above for information. HECO also offers billing assistance for customers with special medical needs or for those on life support.

The nonprofit human service agency, Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc., offers the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program for households whose income was reduced because of COVID-19. It’s focused on keeping the electricity on, especially for the elderly, the disabled and homes with young children. The program works by applying an energy assistance grant to the energy provider on behalf of the eligible homeowner.

The Board of Water Supply encourages customers to fill out a Payment Arrangement Request form either online or on a PDF if they’re unable to pay water and sewer bills due to being furloughed, job loss, layoff or business closure. Customers can also call 808-748-5070.

The 2022 City and County of Honolulu Rental and Utility Relief Program is accepting applications from households with income at or below the 50% area median income or are 90 days unemployed prior to the application date. More info here.

Rent, mortgages and more

Catholic Charities Hawaii’s neighbor island offices have launched a new rental and utility assistance program — Emergency Solutions Grant COVID Housing Assistance Program — that’s open until September 2022 or until funding runs out. Click on the respective island for contact information: Hawaii Island, Kauai or Maui.

On Feb. 2, 2022, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs expanded its Ka Wailele Emergency Financial Assistance Program to provide grants up to $2,000 to include relief for vehicle repairs, funeral expenses and out-of-pocket medical expenses, in addition to existing assistance with mortgage, rental and utility support to households that can prove Native Hawaiian ancestry, Hawaii residency, financial hardship and need for assistance. There are no income requirements, but Native Hawaiian applicants are limited to receiving assistance once every two years.

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement can also help qualified individuals find mortgage, rent and utilities assistance programs; fill out the survey or call 808-596-8155.

Helping Hands Hawaii’s Emergency Assistance Program aims to provide financial assistance for rent and utilities to individuals and families who are homeless or about to become homeless. Read the eligibility requirements and fill out the form on their website or call 808-440-3835 for information.

The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Community Services provides rehabilitation loans to owner-occupant homeowners with incomes up to 80% of the Oahu’s median income. Visit their website for rules and regulations.

Catholic Charities Hawaii provides a wide range of social services to individuals and families regardless of faith or culture, serving nearly 40,000 individuals each year. Programs address needs for seniors, youths, families, counseling and mental health, as well as housing and solutions for the houseless.

Medical assistance

Searching for medical assistance can be overwhelming, but requires due diligence to find the right plan for your situation. You can start with the state’s Department of Human Services Med-QUEST Division that provides access to health and medical coverage through managed care plans for eligible low-income adults and children.

On the website, find out how to apply for Medicaid, search for a primary care provider or specialty health care provider within your health plan’s network, learn what kinds of medical services are available, and look for additional resources that include long-term care, housing assistance and more. There is also a list of health insurance providers offering Medicaid services.

The website can be viewed in other languages as well; scroll to the bottom of the main page and click the appropriate button.

If unable to obtain health insurance through the state, the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace is another option. You can enroll if you qualify for Medicaid or CHIP or if you experience certain life events or are within a certain income range. You can also find information on COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters in the Marketplace.

Health plan options are also available to view at the respective websites for Kaiser Permanente, HMSA, UHA.

Funerals

The Federal Emergency Management Agency recently marked one year of providing more than $2.1 billion in COVID-19 funeral assistance to 326,000 applicants struggling due to financial stress caused by the pandemic, according to a news release.

In an attempt to reach communities identified with high rates of COVID-19 related deaths, low funeral assistance application rates and a high Social Vulnerability Index score, the agency has launched a new ad campaign in April.

Those eligible could qualify for up to $9,000 for each deceased individual per application, with a maximum of $35,500 for applicants who incurred funeral expenses for multiple individuals, stated the release. Additional information and eligibility requirements are available at FEMA’s website.

Multilingual help

Recognizing Hawaii’s diverse ethnic groups — especially when it comes to relaying COVID-19 related information — the Hawaii Department of Health provides webpages with multilingual information in 24 languages.

Fliers with information about vaccines boosters, protective masks and free test kits can be downloaded from the sites. Users can also find brochures and multi-language instructional videos.

The state’s Office of Language Access provides videos in the respective languages on how to request a free interpreter when communicating with government offices and agencies. You can fill out a form on the website to request free interpretation services and email the completed form to doh.ola@doh.hawaii.gov. You can also call 808-586-8730 or 866-365-5955.

Sarah Yamanaka is a digital journalist for Spectrum News Hawaii. Read more of her stories here.