Low Income Transit Fare Program Instructions
The City and County of Honolulu is accepting applications for its Low Income Transit Fare Program from income eligible households. Only households that meet the program requirements will be approved. Apply online at the link provided above.
NOTE: If you currently have a Senior, Medicare, or Person with a Disability HOLO City Payment Card, you already have a reduced rate and should not apply for this reduced fare. However, you may submit an application for members of your family and mark the “Family Only” box.
Individuals that currently receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) are automatically eligible for the Low Income Transit Fare Program and should not submit or be included in an online application. Click here for more information on how to get your Low Income Transit Fare HOLO card at the Transit Pass Office.
Limited funding is available each fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) to subsidize the low income reduced fare for TheBus rides. When funds are exhausted, notice will be posted on this website. The funding limit does not apply to the Low Income Handi-Van fare.
Before you apply, please make sure that you have official, valid identification (ID) as proof of identity. You will not be issued a HOLO card without acceptable ID. Acceptable forms of ID include a Driver’s License, Driver’s Permit, State ID card, Passport, or Birth Certificate for individuals 17 years of age or younger.
Once an application is approved, eligible individuals qualify for the low income reduced transit fares and will receive one of the following reduced low income transit fare HOLO cards.
Low Income Transit Fare HOLO Card
- Single ride fare: $1.25 (HOLO card provides free transfers within 2.5 hours of the initial tap using the same card – No free transfers for cash fare)
- Daily maximum capped fare: $3.00
- Monthly maximum capped fare: $20.00
- Prepaid fare for eligibility period: $45.00
Low Income Handi-Van Fare HOLO Card (only for paratransit-eligible individuals)
- TheHandi-Van one-way trip cash fare: $2.00
NOTE: The expiration date of the Low Income Handi-Van Fare HOLO card cannot exceed the paratransit eligibility date.
I. Application
- Only 1 (one) application per household is necessary. You must be 18 years of age or older to submit an application.
- All individuals in the household 18 years of age or older must provide proof of income and/or government benefits.
- If you need an interpreter, please contact our office at 808-768-7076.
- If you have questions on filling out the application, please email us at LItransitfare@honolulu.gov and provide a phone number.
II. Household and Income Information
- Enter income information for each adult in the household.
- Each source of income must be listed separately. Do not combine them. You must list all income received for each individual 18 years of age or older.
- Using the Source of Income checklist below as a guide, upload copies of acceptable documents for each income source.
| Source of Income | Acceptable Documents (copies only) |
|---|---|
| Employed (W-2 wage earner) | Previous year’s W-2 form and/or Federal Income Tax Return, and one (1) full month of paystubs from current employer |
| Unemployment | State of Hawaii Unemployment Insurance benefit letter, and copy of latest bank statement if benefits are direct deposit |
| Self-employment/Independent Contractor | Previous year’s complete Federal Income Tax Return including all Schedules, plus current General Excise Tax filling or Year-to-Date Profit and Loss Statement |
| Social Security | Social Security Award Letter for current year |
| Retirement/Pension/Annuity | Provide as applicable: retirement benefit statement, pension or annuity statement, Federal Income Tax Return, IRS Form 1099, statement from organization providing the income, or minimum 2 months bank statements showing retirement deposits |
| State of Hawaii, Dept. of Human Services Benefits: -General Assistance -SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) -TANF (Temporary Assist for Needy Families) -Med-QUEST (Medicaid) | Current 6-12 months benefits statement or history from the State of Hawaii, Dept. of Human Services Processing Center; no more than 60 days old showing family size and qualifying income. For Med-QUEST: provide pink colored Eligibility Determination letter from DHS Med-QUEST Division [See attached sheet for contact information] |
| Child Support/Alimony | Child Support Agreement or Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) verification letter, or two (2) months of current bank statements reflecting deposits |
| Other (Please specify) | Documents provided must be from a legal/official source. City Dept. of Community Services will determine whether document(s) are acceptable, and will contact applicant if needed |
III. Income Eligibility
Income eligibility is based on Family Size and a Total Household Income not exceeding 30% of the Annual Median Income as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Please refer to the chart below to determine whether you meet income requirements for the current fiscal year, July 1 to June 30. These amounts are adjusted each year:
Maximum Gross Household Income per Family Size
| Family Size # | Maximum Gross Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $29,250 |
| 2 | $33,400 |
| 3 | $37,600 |
| 4 | $41,750 |
| 5 | $45,100 |
| 6 | $48,450 |
| 7 | $51,800 |
| 8 | $55,150 |
| If Your Household Size is : | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your Combined Total Household Income Cannot Exceed: | $29,250 | $33,400 | $37,600 | $41,750 | $45,100 | $48,450 | $51,800 | $55,150 |
Eligibility will be verified and processed by the Department of Community Services (DCS).
Note: Income limits subject to change without notice, in accordance with current US Department of Housing and Urban Development Income Limits Guidelines.
| Income Source Needed | How to Request Documents |
|---|---|
| Federal Income Tax Return – most current year (including all schedules) If you can’t find a copy of your Federal Income Tax Return, you may request an Individual Tax Return Transcript from the IRS using one ofthe options shown here: | Complete IRS Form 4506T-EZ to request for an Individual Tax Return from the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). Submit the request form by one of the following ways: 1). Go to IRS site: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506tez.pdf download the form, complete it, and mail directly to: Internal Revenue Service, RAIVS Team P.O. Box 9941, Mail Stop 6734, Ogden, UT 84409 2). Register on the IRS site for their “Get Transcripts Online” service. Go to: www.irs.gov/individuals and follow the prompts. 3). Call IRS automated phone transcript service at: 1-800-908-9946. It normally takes 5-10 business days for delivery. The IRS will mail it directly to you. Note: Once you get the transcript, you must upload it with your application. If you have already submitted your application, send the transcript to the City and County of Honolulu, Dept. of Community Services, Attention: Transit Fare, 51 Merchant Street, 1st Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813. |
| Social Security / Disability | To request a Benefit Verification Letter, choose an option listed below: 1). Go Online: https://ssa.gov; go to heading my Social Security You must either Create an Account, or Sign In, and follow the prompts. There is an option to print a benefit verification letter 2). Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) 3). Visit Oahu Social Security Office at: RM1-114 Fed Bldg, 300 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96850 Note: Recommend calling to confirm office hours and whether an appointment is needed. Phone : 1-855-572-4879 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) |
| State of Hawaii, Dept. of Human Services (DHS) | Request for a Verification of Benefits form by either visiting the City & County of Honolulu office located at 51 Merchant St., 1st Floor, or send an email to: litransitfare@honolulu.gov and request for the form. Take the form to any DHS Processing Center listed below during business hours. They will complete the form and provide the information requested while you wait. DHS Processing Centers -Kapolei Processing Center 601 Kamokila Boulevard, Room 117 Kapolei, HI 96707 Phone: 692-8384 Fax: 692-7783 -Koolau Processing Center -Waikalua 45-260 Waikalua Road Kaneohe, HI 96744 Phone: 233-3621 Fax: 233-3620 -Luluku 45-513 Luluku Road Kaneohe, HI 96744 Phone: 233-5325 Fax: 233-5358 -KPT Processing Center 1485 Linapuni Street, Suite 122 Honolulu, HI 96819 Phone: 832-3800 Fax: 832-3392 -OR&L Processing Center 333 North King Street, Room 200 Honolulu, HI 96817 Phone: 586-8047 Fax: 586-8138 -Pohulani Processing Center 677 Queen Street, Suite 400B Honolulu, HI 96813 Phone: 587-5283 Fax: 587-5297 -Wahiawa Processing Center 929 Center Street Wahiawa, HI 96786 Phone: 622-6315 Fax: 622-6484 -Waianae Processing Center 86-120 Farrington Highway, Suite A103 Waianae, HI 96792 Phone: 697-7881 Fax: 697-7184 -Waipahu Processing Center 94-275 Mokuola Street, Room 303A Waipahu, HI 96797 Phone: 675-0052 Fax: 675-0038 | Request for a Verification of Benefits form by either visiting the City & County of Honolulu office located at 51 Merchant St., 1st Floor, or send an email to: litransitfare@honolulu.gov and request for the form. Take the form to any Service Centers listed below during business hours. They will complete the form and provide the information requested while you wait. Med-QUEST Division Service Centers -Honolulu 1350 S. King Street, Suite 200 Honolulu, HI 96814 Phone: 1(800) 316-8005 Fax: 1(800) 576-5504 -Kapolei Kakuhihewa State Office Building 601 Kamokila Boulevard, Room 415 Kapolei, HI 96707-2021 Phone: 1(800) 316-8005 Fax: 1(800) 576-5504 -Waipahu 94-275 Mokuola Street Suite 301 Waipahu, HI 96797 Phone: 1(800) 316-8005 Fax: 1(800) 576-5504 |
V. Processing Time
Please allow 60 days from receipt of a completed application (including uploaded income documents) for a decision by the City Department of Community Services. If your application is approved, we will send you a letter of approval to take to the Transit Pass Office, located at the Kalihi Transit Center, corner of Middle Street and Kamehameha Highway, to pick up your Low Income Transit Fare HOLO Card.
*Note: You must provide a valid picture ID to pick up your Low Income HOLO Card.
Acceptable forms of ID include Hawaii Driver’s License, Hawaii Driver’s Permit, Hawaii State ID, Passport, or Birth Certificate for individuals 17 years of age or younger.
VI. Reduced Fare Period
Low Income Transit Fare HOLO Card
The reduced fare period is the fiscal year July 1 to June 30, and effective from the date of approval through the ending of the applicable fiscal year on June 30. Eligibility expires on June 30 of each fiscal year and the applicant must reapply for low income eligibility by submitting a new application with current documentation, no earlier than 60 days (May 1) prior to the expiration date.
Low Income Handi-Van HOLO Card
The reduced fare period is one year from date of approval and cannot exceed the paratransit eligibility date. Paratransit eligible applicants must reapply for low income eligibility by submitting a new application with current documentation, no earlier than 60 days prior to the expiration date of the Low Income Handi-Van HOLO card.