Free, plain-English help for seniors and families in Hawaii. Education, not advice. Verify before you rely on it.
Start here (works anywhere in Hawaii)
- 211 (dial 2-1-1), Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116, BenefitsCheckUp.org, Medicare 1-800-633-4227, Social Security 1-800-772-1213, VA 1-800-827-1000, Alzheimer's 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900, National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-372-8311, Crisis Lifeline 988
Free Medicare counseling (Hawaii SHIP)
Hawaii's State Health Insurance Assistance Program is called Hawaii SHIP, run by the State Executive Office on Aging within the Department of Health. It has provided no-cost, local, and unbiased Medicare help for nearly 30 years. Counselors help with Medicare plan comparisons, enrollment, Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans, Medigap questions, Medicare Savings Programs, and appeals.
Hawaii SHIP statewide toll-free: 1-888-875-9229 (TTY 1-866-810-4379) Oahu line: (808) 586-7299 Website: hawaiiship.org
Medicaid in Hawaii
Hawaii's Medicaid program is called Med-QUEST, administered by the Med-QUEST Division of the Department of Human Services. Seniors age 65 and older and people who are blind or disabled may qualify based on income and assets (the asset limit for an aged, blind, or disabled individual is generally $2,000). Med-QUEST also covers long-term services and supports, including in-home care as an alternative to nursing facility placement.
How to apply: online through the KOLEA / My Medical Benefits portal at medical.mybenefits.hawaii.gov (fastest), or by phone at 1-800-316-8005 (TTY 711). You can also mail or fax a paper application, or get in-person help at a local Med-QUEST Eligibility Office. Aged, blind, or disabled applicants often need a phone interview, and disability cases can take up to 90 days.
Med-QUEST: medquest.hawaii.gov
Prescription help
Hawaii does not operate a dedicated State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (SPAP) for seniors separate from Medicaid. Options available:
Medicare Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy): a federal program that substantially reduces Part D prescription drug costs for qualifying low-income Medicare beneficiaries. Apply through Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or ssa.gov.
BenefitsCheckUp.org: screens for pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance programs and additional savings.
Hawaii SHIP counselors (1-888-875-9229) can help you check Extra Help eligibility at no charge.
Energy and utility help
Hawaii's energy assistance program is the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program (H-HEAP), formerly known as LIHEAP, administered by the Department of Human Services Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) and delivered through the Community Action Agency that serves your island.
There are two parts:
- Energy Credit: a one-time credit toward your electric or gas bill. For Program Year 2026, applications are accepted from June 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026 only, so this is a short window. Apply through your island's Community Action Agency.
- Energy Crisis Intervention (ECI): helps households facing or already in a disconnection. ECI applications are accepted year-round, but monthly approvals are limited and fill quickly.
Community Action Agency by island:
- Oahu: Honolulu Community Action Program (HCAP). Central (808) 488-6834.
- Hawaii Island: Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council (HCEOC), (808) 961-2681.
- Maui County (Maui, Molokai, Lanai): Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO), main office (808) 249-2970.
DHS H-HEAP page: humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd/liheap/ Call 211 if you are unsure which agency serves your island.
Property tax relief (Hawaii)
Important: in Hawaii, real property tax is administered by the four counties (Honolulu/Oahu, Hawaii/Big Island, Maui, and Kauai), not by the state. Each county sets its own home exemption amounts, senior age tiers, and deadlines, so figures differ by island. Always confirm with your county's Real Property Tax / Real Property Assessment office.
City and County of Honolulu (Oahu): the standard home exemption reduces the taxable value of an owner-occupied principal residence by $120,000, increasing to $160,000 if the owner is 65 or older on or before June 30. The county must have your date of birth on record by September 30 before the tax year. (Note: effective July 1, 2027, these amounts are scheduled to change to $140,000 standard and $180,000 for owners 65 and older.)
Hawaii County (Big Island): the home exemption is larger for older owners and increases in steps as you age, and some properties also receive an additional percentage reduction of assessed value up to a cap. The exact age tiers, dollar amounts, cap, and filing deadlines change, so confirm the current figures directly with the Hawaii County Real Property Tax office (hawaiipropertytax.com) or your county assessor before relying on them.
Maui County and Kauai County: each has its own owner-occupant exemption and additional senior or low-income relief. Confirm current amounts and deadlines with the county Real Property Tax office.
To apply: contact your county Real Property Assessment / Real Property Tax office. On Oahu that is the Real Property Assessment Division (realproperty.honolulu.gov). On the Big Island that is the Hawaii County Real Property Tax office (hawaiipropertytax.com).
Food, in-home help, caregiver, transportation, and legal help
Hawaii's aging network is coordinated by the State Executive Office on Aging and delivered through four county Area Agencies on Aging (the county Offices on Aging / Elderly Affairs) and a statewide Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC).
The single statewide ADRC access line connects you to the office serving your county: ADRC statewide: 643-ADRC, that is (808) 643-2372 (TTY (808) 643-0889) Website: hawaiiadrc.org
Services available through the county aging network:
- Congregate meals at senior centers and home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels)
- In-home help, personal care, and homemaker services
- Family caregiver support
- Transportation assistance
- Long-term care ombudsman services for residents of care facilities
Legal aid: free civil legal help for low-income seniors is available through the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii (legalaidhawaii.org) and Hawaii's Senior Legal services through the county aging offices. You can also reach legal help through the ADRC or the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
Frequently asked questions
What is Hawaii's SHIP program? Hawaii's SHIP is called Hawaii SHIP, run by the State Executive Office on Aging. It gives free, unbiased Medicare counseling statewide at 1-888-875-9229. Counselors help with plan comparisons, enrollment, drug plans, Medigap, and Medicare Savings Programs.
Does Hawaii offer property tax relief for seniors? Yes, but it is run by the four counties, not the state, so amounts differ by island. On Oahu, the home exemption rises to $160,000 of taxable value for owner-occupants age 65 and older. Hawaii County (Big Island) uses age tiers that grow as you get older, and Maui and Kauai have their own exemptions. Apply through your county Real Property Tax office and confirm the current figures and deadlines, because the Big Island age tiers and other county amounts change.
How do Hawaii seniors get help with electric bills? Through H-HEAP (formerly LIHEAP), run by DHS and delivered by each island's Community Action Agency. The one-time Energy Credit application window for Program Year 2026 is June 1 through June 30, 2026. Energy Crisis Intervention for disconnections is accepted year-round but fills fast. Start by calling your island's Community Action Agency or dial 211.
How does a Hawaii senior apply for Medicaid? Apply for Med-QUEST online at medical.mybenefits.hawaii.gov (the KOLEA portal, fastest), by phone at 1-800-316-8005, or at a local Med-QUEST Eligibility Office. Seniors who are 65 or older or who are blind or disabled may qualify based on income and assets, and Med-QUEST can cover in-home long-term care.
Sources
- Hawaii Executive Office on Aging, Hawaii SHIP: https://health.hawaii.gov/eoa/home/hawaiiship/ (Verified June 12, 2026)
- Hawaii SHIP contact page: https://www.hawaiiship.org/contact/ (Verified June 12, 2026)
- Hawaii Med-QUEST, How to Apply: https://medquest.hawaii.gov/content/medquest/en/members-applicants/get-started/how-to-apply.html (Verified June 12, 2026)
- Hawaii DHS BESSD, H-HEAP (LIHEAP): https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd/liheap/ (Verified June 12, 2026)
- Honolulu Real Property Assessment Division, Home Exemption: https://realproperty.honolulu.gov/tax-relief-and-forms/exemptions/home-exemption/ (Verified June 12, 2026)
- County of Hawaii Real Property Tax Office, Exemptions: https://www.hawaiipropertytax.com/exemptions.html (Verified June 12, 2026)
- Hawaii Aging and Disability Resource Center: http://hawaiiadrc.org/ (Verified June 12, 2026)
Ryan Riggins, NC Real Estate License #361546, eXp Realty. Riggins Strategic Solutions is an education and media company, not a real estate sales business. This is not financial, tax, medical, or legal advice. Income limits, rates, and deadlines change annually, confirm with the program or a licensed professional before acting.