Money Assistance Hawaii – Help paying bills, rent, loans & more

In the beautiful state of Hawaii, residents who qualify, receive financial hardship assistance from the Department of Human Services. Residents are typically required to submit an application, attend an interview and submit paperwork to prove that they are eligible for help from the government. While nationally, an average of 4.1 percent of Americans are on welfare; 6 percent of Hawaii residents receive financial assistance. Hawaii also offers a higher amount of assistance than any other state in the United States.

Below are multiple ways to get financial help in Hawaii. Services that include help paying bills, rent, food/groceries, personal loans, debt relief and as mentioned various government benefits and support agencies across Hawaii.

Financial help (Loans)
If you are in need of cash to assist with bills or an emergency, look at the below assistance options to see if they may cover what you need. If you’re in need of a loan there are numerous options that can be found in our low income loans section.

Social Security Loans (SSI)
Many residents living in Hawaii collecting Social Security may qualify for more financial assistance through SSI. For those whose only income is Social Security and you are in need of a loan, there may be specialist lenders who will assist. Learn more about SSI and other social security loan options here.

Assistance with utilities
Residents in Hawaii can receive financial assistance to help cover their utility bills, including gas, water and electricity, through the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) program. Residents must submit an application and financial statements to show they have a financial need. This program will either supplement the cost of utilities or pay the entire bill. Additionally, residents can also apply for help or discounts through Hawaii Gas and Hawaiian Electric. You can also apply for help from LIHEAP or the weatherization assistance program.

For more information on the LIHEAP program call 1-808-586-5740.

Food Assistance
The food assistance program in Hawaii provides money specifically for groceries. The program is designed to allow residents to use the portion of their income they would otherwise use for food, to cover other bills. Residents who utilize the food assistance program are required to shop at approved stores and purchase are limited to food items (excluding alcohol, tobacco and products marked as a “supplement.” (CONTACT) Make sure to check out local food banks for additional assistance. Call 808-643-1643 for information regarding specific qualifications and approved stores.

Rent and Mortgage
Residents can apply for assistance through Housing and Urban Development which helps apartment owners offer subsidized rent. Additionally, residents can apply for help through a variety of assistance programs including Hope Services, Maui Economic Opportunity and TANF. Find out more about rental assistance by visiting Rent Assistance, which offers links to specific organizations for Hawaii. If you qualify, you could get assistance in the form of cash form the state.

Medical Assistance
Residents can apply for financial help from the state of Hawaii through the Medicaid program. Medicaid is designed to help both adults and children, though families who require assistance for adults will typically need to show a major financial or medical need (such as pregnancy). Additionally, residents can use the Hawaii Health Connector to help find low cost health care, in the event that they don’t qualify for state coverage. To access the program or apply for state benefits, visit the medical assistance page.

Residents can also visit one of the many low-cost clinics that base billing on a sliding scale. Elderly adults may qualify for assistance from the PACE program. To find out more information talk to an agent at 808-442-4551.

Educational Assistance
In addition to taking advantage of the federal programs like Pell Grants and federal loans, students can apply for scholarships based on ethnicity. Additionally the Department of Education provides after school program and free Special-Education assistance for students who attend public schools. For families with younger students, parents can take advantage of the Head Start program.

Community Action Centers
Families in need can further access help through several community action organizations including the Honolulu Community Action Program (HCAP) and The Community Assistance Center. Both programs are private, non-profit organizations that provide access to assistance for some bills as well as employment training and access to educational resources. The Community Assistance Center is geared specifically to assist criminal offenders who are trying to rehabilitate.

Charities
Hawaii has several public and private charities available for individuals in need of assistance with finances, bills, food or home. Hawaii’s Homeless Shelter provides a place of refuge for individuals in need of a warm place to sleep in addition to transient services that help the homeless find work and a homes. In addition, you can find more specific information about the array of public charities on Charity Vault.

Residents who want to get assistance from the state of Hawaii will need to submit an application and fall within a certain percentage of the poverty level. Residents can apply for assistance for medical, food, financial and child care by visiting the Department of Human Services and filling out an application online. Hawaii has a vast array of services that help assist families with lower incomes. If you are leaving off of one income or need temporary assistance, check out any of the links included here for more specific details.

Learn more about free items and other money assistance services in Hawaii, including: Free clothes, furniture, car, school accessories, help with fines, seasonal items & more!
The below services are in general and may not be available in Hawaii. However, if not available, many may have partnerships with other organizations through out the state that they can connect you with.

Free Hotel or Motel Vouchers for the Homeless or Emergencies
Those experiencing hardship and are without a roof over their head can access different types of short and possibly longer term accommodation throughout Hawaii. Learn more about accommodation assistance in here.

Dealing with tickets or fines
If you have unpaid tickers or fines, avoiding them will only create further financial and credit problems. Learn about ways to get assistance with dealing with fines in Hawaii, from requesting a waiver or challenging inaccurate fines. Get the information you need to tackle fines here.

How to get a free laptop or computer
Low income families have a range of organizations that provide free technology assistance such as computers and laptops throughout the country including Hawaii. Learn about what free computers and laptop organizations are near you and how to apply here.

Getting a free or low cost car
At any given time there are different organizations that assist low income earners with transportation. Across the country and in Hawaii there are different services that assist people with getting a vehicle. Learn more about free cars, how to get one and where to apply.

How to get free gas for emergencies
Gas prices in Hawaii like most of the country are extremely high. This can put serious strain on the family budget. For those dealing with cashflow issues and finding it hard to put fuel in the car, there is help. Learn how to get free gas for emergencies through free gas vouchers.