On the Big Island, the Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council (HCEOC) is administering the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which has special Federal CARES Act funding to provide a one-time payment of $1,000 to people having difficulty paying their utility bills because of COVID-19 (unemployment, illness, etc.).  According to Gail Shioshita at the HCEOC office, this special program  expires this Friday, July 31. 

However, there is an ongoing  program called Emergency Crisis Intervention, an ongoing program for which people may apply once every year.   The program only takes 20 people per month, Shioshita says, and the maximum dollar payment is $650.

For more information on the special COVID-19 program that expires Friday, or the ongoing ECI program, please contact Gail Shioshita, at (808) 961-2681 ext 303 or 061-2681 Ext. 108 for Office Manager Blossom Evans  or email Ms. Shioshita at hceocliheap@gmail.com