Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
LIHEAP provides energy assistance once a year. A federal program, it results from the coordinated efforts KEO (a Community Action Program), Hawaii Gas Company, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) and the State of Hawaii Department of Human Services.
HOW DOES LIHEAP HELP?
Kauai residents may qualify for one of two LIHEAP programs:
ENERGY CREDIT (EC). Applications are accepted during the month of JUNE for one time only assistance that is deposited into the resident’s utility account during the latter part of the year to help offset the energy costs of the household.
ENERGY CRISIS INTERVENTION (ECI). A one time only assistance paid to the utility company to restore or to prevent the termination of electric or gas power for the residence.
In addition, KEO administers the separate Emergency Electric Assistance Program, which provides emergency assistance to KIUC customers who are past due and unable to pay their electric bill.
ELIGIBILITY
LIHEAP serves those with a household income of no more than 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (see below). For Energy Crisis Intervention applicants must have a final or shut off notice from the utility.
| Number of people in household: | 150% Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (2023) |
| 1 | $23,445 |
| 2 | $31,590 |
| 3 | $39,735 |
| 4 | $47,880 |
| 5 | $56,025 |
| 6 | $64,170 |
| 7 | $72,315 |
| 8 | $80,460 |
| For each additional person, add | $8,145 |
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, provide the following to KEO –
- Completed LIHEAP Application.
- For an application: call (808) 245-4077 ext 242, email: liheap@keoinc.org or use the following link https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-LIHEAP-LIHWAP-Application-Packet.pdf
- Current Utility Bill that matches Residence address (if utility subscriber is different from applicant, they must sign a required form and provide photo ID.)
- If applying for energy crisis intervention, Final or Shut Off Notice.
- Photo Identifications for ALL adults living in the household
- Signatures of ALL adults in the household
- Social Security Numbers: Cards for ALL household members
- Proof of Birth Date: Proof of birth date for children under the age of 6 and adults 60 or older.
- Proof of Income: Pay stubs since January, Social Security Award Letter, SSI Letter, Welfare Determination Letter, Unemployment Determination Letter, etc. whichever applies for all members of the household. If self-employed bring Tax Returns and quarterly or semi-annual filing
- Proof of Citizenship: Passport, birth certificate, INS Form I-94,etc.
- Proof of Current Residence: Verification that you live at the subscriber address that is listed on energy bill (ie. rental agreement, gas or water bill, etc.)
*Regardless of income, if there is at least one person in the household that receives SNAP (Food Stamps) or SSI benefits and all program requirements are met, household may be eligible for an income exemption.
ENERGY SAVING TIPS
These Top Ten Tips include simple and low-cost ways that every consumer can use to conserve energy and save money.
1. Replace regular incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs
CFLs use about one-fourth the energy of an old-fashioned incandescent bulb, last longer and are cooler, reducing the need for air conditioning. Changing just one 100-watt bulb to an equivalent 26-watt CFL, based on three hours use per day, can save 81 kWh and $24.00 per year per bulb.
2. Use fans instead of air conditioners
Two fans, rather than an 8,000 Btu/H (British thermal units per hour) room air conditioner running four hours a day, will save over 1,150 kWh and $345 per year.
3. Shorten showers
Cutting just two minutes per shower could save up to 463 kWh and $139 per year.
4. Fix leaky faucets
One drop each second can waste about 1,661 gallons of water a year. A leaking hot water faucet wastes both water and up to $79 in energy costs per year.
5. Wash clothes in cold water
Switching from Hot Wash/Warm Rinse to the Cold/Cold cycle on a standard, top-loading washing machine for just two loads a week can save 225 kWh and $68 per year.
6. Eliminate energy sneakers (phantom loads)
Even when turned off, things like hairdryers, cell phone chargers and televisions use energy. Use a power strip to conveniently turn off computers (after properly logging off), monitors, printers and chargers for camera batteries, phones and PDAs, all of which use standby power when not in use. Using a power strip to turn off your computer alone can save 50 kWh and $15 per year.
7. Air dry dishes
Letting dishes air dry instead of using heated drying on the average dishwasher saves 110 kWh and $33 per year.
8. No peeking
Limiting how often and how long you open the refrigerator will save electricity and protect the appliance. Also limit opening the oven while cooking or baking to save electricity, protect the appliance, and speed up cooking times too.
9. Install motion/occupancy detectors indoors and out
Cutting use of a 150-watt, outdoor flood light from six hours to one hour per night with a motion sensor saves up to 270 kWh and $81 per year. Switching off a 100-watt light for just one, 8-hour day per week, can save 41 kWh and over $12 per year.
10. Use Energy Star Appliances
When it is time to replace or add appliances, look for the Energy Star symbol on clothes washers, dryers, dish washers, freezers, refrigerators, room air conditioners and home electronics. Visit www.energystar.gov.