Hawaii

Runs the state's public housing and Section 8 rental vouchers on every island. Call 808-832-4692.

The state office funding shelters and outreach statewide; call 2-1-1 to reach coordinated entry (Partners in Care on Oʻahu, Bridging the Gap on neighbor islands) for shelter and rehousing help.

One of the state's main providers of rental assistance and housing help when funding rounds are open, serving all faiths on multiple islands. Call 808-527-4470.

Monthly cash assistance for Hawaii families with children. Apply online at the PAIS benefits portal or call the Public Assistance Information Line at 1-855-643-1643.

• PAIS benefits portal

Monthly cash payments for adults who are temporarily disabled and can't work — Hawaii is one of the few states that still offers this. Apply through PAIS or 1-855-643-1643.

• PAIS

Oʻahu's community action agency for emergency help and self-sufficiency programs; on neighbor islands, ask 2-1-1 for Maui Economic Opportunity, HCEOC (Hawaiʻi Island), or KEO (Kauaʻi).

Emergency financial help, food, and family services at corps across the islands.

Hawaii's hospital systems (Queen's, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, Kaiser) have financial assistance programs that can reduce or forgive bills — ask the billing office for a financial assistance application, or call 2-1-1 for help.

If you qualify for Med-QUEST (Medicaid), it can cover bills from up to three months before you applied — apply even after a hospital visit. Call 1-800-316-8005.

Free legal help if you're being sued over medical or other debt. Call 808-536-4302.

Hawaii's LIHEAP: a yearly energy credit plus year-round crisis help if your electricity is about to be shut off. Apply through your island's community action agency; questions: 1-855-643-1643.

Ratepayer-funded program with rebates and free energy-saving upgrades, including offers for low-income households, to bring bills down.

Payment plans and hardship options if you're behind on your electric bill — call before a disconnection notice becomes a shut-off.

Monthly grocery money on an EBT card. Apply online at the PAIS portal or call 1-855-643-1643.

• PAIS portal

Food bank for Oʻahu and Kauaʻi with a pantry locator; on Maui use Maui Food Bank, on Hawaiʻi Island The Food Basket — 2-1-1 can point you to the nearest distribution. Call 808-836-3600.

Free healthy food, formula, and breastfeeding support for pregnant people and keiki under 5. Call 808-586-8175 or 1-888-820-6425.

Hawaii's Medicaid program: free health coverage for low-income adults, children (CHIP is part of Med-QUEST), and pregnant people. Apply online through KOLEA or call 1-800-316-8005.

• KOLEA

Hawaii uses the federal marketplace for income-based discounted insurance; free local enrollment help is available through kokua/navigator agencies — ask 2-1-1.

Find a community health center on your island that treats everyone, insured or not, on a sliding-fee scale.

Free dental and medical clinic in Honolulu for uninsured, low-income patients. Call 808-847-3400.

Hawaii's own 24/7 crisis line: call/text 988 (or 808-832-3100 / 1-800-753-6879) for mental health, substance use, and crisis support from local counselors who can dispatch island crisis teams.

State-funded mental health treatment and case management for adults without insurance or with serious mental illness.

The same CARES line screens and connects you to state-funded addiction treatment beds and outpatient care on every island.

DHS subsidy that pays part of your child care costs while you work or attend school. Call 1-855-643-1643 or apply through your local DHS processing center.

Hawaii's statewide child care referral agency — helps you find licensed care and apply for the Preschool Open Doors subsidy for pre-K. Call 808-839-1988.

State program that pays preschool tuition the year before kindergarten for income-eligible families; applications go through PATCH.

File for weekly unemployment payments online at huiclaims.hawaii.gov. Oʻahu claims office: 808-586-8970.

• huiclaims.hawaii.gov

Free job search help, retraining money, and career counseling through the state Workforce Development Division; jobs listed on HireNet Hawaiʻi.

• HireNet Hawaiʻi

Honolulu's TheBus offers reduced fares for youth, seniors, and disabled riders; neighbor island county buses (Hele-On, Maui Bus, Kauaʻi Bus) are low-cost or free — ask 2-1-1 about your island.

Free civil legal help statewide — evictions, benefits, family law, and immigration through its Hawaiʻi Immigrant Justice Center. Call 808-536-4302 (neighbor islands: 1-800-499-4302).

Plain-language legal information and a directory of every free legal service in the islands.

Volunteer attorneys offering free clinics and advice for people who can't afford a lawyer. Call 808-528-7046.