Department of Environmental Services

Customer Assistance for Residential Environmental Services (CARES) is a customer assistance program from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Environmental Services created to help eligible residential sewer customers offset rising sewer costs with bill credits.

The program was created to provide financial relief to qualifying households while supporting the City’s continued investment in safe and reliable wastewater infrastructure.

Applications for the 2026 CARES Program will be received starting on May 1, 2026.

Applications will be accepted through October 31, 2026 at 4:30pm

The CARES Program is an Annual program. Each year will require a new application.

Eligible applicants must be active residential sewer customers, in good standing (current on all sewer charges, including sewer payment plans), who meet program income requirements.

Household income may not exceed 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) for 2025.

Each year the City & County of Honolulu publishes Income Limits for the City & County of Honolulu based on the income limits released by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD is required by law to set income limits that determine the eligibility of applicants for HUD’s assisted housing programs. This data is used by other programs and referred to as area median income (AMI). More information on how HUD calculates this dataset can be found on HUD’s website. The 2025 Income Limits are provided with the application.

Yes

If they are the sewer account holder, yes.

No. The program is for eligible residential sewer customers only.

Only one credit per sewer account may be approved.

Approved applicants may receive a credit of up to $240, which is equivalent to a credit of $20 month.

$240.

No. The credit is not refundable and will be applied directly to eligible sewer bill(s)

The credit offset sewer charges up to the maximum credit awarded of $240. Once the $240 is exhausted, the assistance ends for the year.

Applications will be available beginning May 1, 2026.

Applications will be available:

• Online at www.honolulu.gov/ENV for immediate download & printing.
• Paper applications may be picked up at:
  • Satellite City Halls – Multiple Locations
  • Public Libraries (on Oahu) – Multiple Locations
  • ENV Offices
    • Frank F. Fasi Municipal Building, 650 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813 (1st Floor)
    • 91-2060 Franklin D Roosevelt Ave, Kapolei, HI 96707

The form is available online for download only. The application must be submitted via mail or drop-off.

Yes, applications should be mailed to

No.

Applicants are expected to provide:

• Most recent sewer bill
• 2025 federal tax return
• 2025 state tax return

The application will be denied

Yes. Information on how to complete the application is available 24/7 on our website at www.honolulu.gov/ENV. You may also call (808) 768-3330, Monday – Friday 7:45a to 4:30p.

Language access services can be arranged by calling Customer Service: (808) 768-3330, Monday – Friday 7:45a – 4:30p

Please allow a minimum of 30 days for applications to be reviewed and processed.

Applications must be reviewed for completeness, eligibility, and required documentation.

The Department of Environmental Services will contact all applicants, in writing, to communicate the disposition of their application (approved or denied). If it has been longer than 30 days, from the date your application was submitted, and you have not received a letter, please call Customer Service at (808) 768-3330.

The Department of Environmental Services will send all applicants a letter (USPS Mail), to communicate the disposition of their application (approved or denied).

Not at this time. If it has been longer than 30 days, from the date your application was submitted, and you have not received a letter informing you of the disposition of your application, please call Customer Service at (808) 768-3330.

The Department of Environmental Services will utilize the contact information provided on the application to contact you.

This information will be communicated to applicants, in writing, after their application has been approved.

The Department of Environmental Services will send all applicants a letter (USPS Mail), to communicate the disposition of their application (approved or denied). The letter will explain why an application was denied.

No. Applications should be submitted with all required documentation to substantiate eligibility. The reason an application would be denied, is because the applicant is not eligible.

If your application was denied due to eligibility requirements, No. The CARES Program is an Annual program. Each year will require a new application.

Yes.

Yes.

The 2026 CARES program will close and no more applications will be accepted. Should an application be received, after funding is exhausted, the applicant will receive a letter (USPS mail) informing them their application is denied as all funding has been exhausted.

Up to 41,666 households can receive the maximum credit of $240.

Information on how to complete the application is available 24/7 on our website at www.honolulu.gov/ENV. You may also call (808) 768-3330, Monday – Friday 7:45a to 4:30p.

You may call (808) 768-3330, Monday – Friday 7:45a to 4:30p.

Yes, by appointment only. Please call (808) 768-3330, Monday – Friday 7:45a to 4:30p to schedule.

Interested applicants may call (808) 768-3330, Monday – Friday 7:45a to 4:30p for assistance or with questions.

Language access services can be arranged by calling Customer Service: (808) 768-3330, Monday – Friday 7:45a – 4:30p

Applicant information will be handled in accordance with applicable privacy and records requirements.

Tax returns establish household size and income and therefore program eligibility.

By signing an application, an applicant is authorizing the Department of Environmental Services to verify their income or other information on the application with the State and/or Federal taxing authorities. All applications will be reviewed and information verified prior to approval (or denial).