Loading...
Free personalized senior living guidance for families
(858) 283-4504Loading...
Hawaii · Everything here is free · Reviewed July 2026
If you or someone you love is a kupuna (elder) in Hawaii living on a small, fixed income, please know this: you are not alone, and real help exists. When paid assisted living or private care is simply out of reach, the state of Hawaii and local nonprofits offer many free services — from health coverage to home-delivered meals to someone who will just sit with you and explain your options.
Not sure where to start? Call for free1-808-643-2372Also reachable as 643-ADRC. One free call connects you to your island's aging services: home care, meals, caregiver support, benefits screening, and more. This is the best first call for almost any senior need.
This page gathers the most useful, no-cost resources for low-income seniors across all the islands. Everything here is either a government program or a well-established community organization. You will not be asked to buy anything.
Take a breath. You do not have to figure this all out today, and you do not have to do it alone. Start with one phone call and let a real person guide you to the next step.
Tap what fits. You'll jump straight to the right help — no reading through the rest.
Still not sure? Just make the call above — they'll help you figure it out. One call is a great start.
Start here for most families
Good news: Hawaii’s Medicaid does not force people into nursing homes. Through QUEST Integration, Med-QUEST covers home and community-based services — things like personal care aides, adult day care, home-delivered meals, and help with daily tasks — so many seniors can stay in their own homes or in community settings. Hawaii also runs programs like Going Home Plus to help people move out of a facility and back into the community.
Medicaid does not usually pay the "rent" part of assisted living, but it can cover many care services within it.
Call and ask about long-term care.
Ask them to walk you through your options.
Med-QUEST is Hawaii’s Medicaid program. For seniors, it can cover doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, and — importantly — long-term services and supports, including nursing home care and care that helps you stay in your own home.
In Hawaii, most Medicaid members (including seniors who need long-term care) get their services through QUEST Integration health plans. These plans coordinate your medical care and your long-term care together, so you have one team helping you.
A note on eligibility: Med-QUEST looks at your income and, for long-term care, your assets. The exact limits change every year, and there are special rules that protect a spouse who still lives at home. Please do not assume you make "too much" — many people are surprised to qualify. Call to check your real numbers before you rule yourself out.
Apply for Med-QUEST online
Apply for Med-QUEST coverage online.
Oahu: 1-808-524-3370.
Apply in person or by mail
Find your local Med-QUEST eligibility office to apply in person or by mail.
If you're on Medicare
If money is tight, these programs can put real dollars back in your pocket:
Apply through Med-QUEST.
Apply for the prescription drug subsidy through Social Security.
A SHIP counselor can help you apply for both programs.
The Hawaii State Health Insurance Assistance Program (Hawaii SHIP), run through the Executive Office on Aging, gives free, one-on-one Medicare counseling. Trained counselors are not salespeople — they do not work for any insurance company and they never earn a commission.
They can help you understand what Medicare covers, compare drug and Medicare Advantage plans, sign up for programs that lower your costs, and sort out billing problems and appeals.
Oahu: 1-808-586-7299.
Everyday essentials
SNAP (food benefits)
Hawaii's SNAP program helps you buy groceries. Apply online through the Department of Human Services, or dial 211 for help with your application.
Home-delivered meals and community meal sites are available through your Area Agency on Aging. Call the ADRC to get started.
If you are worried about rent, utilities, or staying safely in your home, these are good places to start — they can point you to senior housing, rental help, and utility assistance in your county.
Dial 211 for housing, rent, and utility help in your area.
Help finding affordable senior housing and utility or rent assistance.
Guidance & protection
Hawaii has an Area Agency on Aging in each county (Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai). These agencies fund and organize senior services close to home — meals, transportation, caregiver help, and more. The easiest way to reach yours is through the ADRC at 1-808-643-2372, or use the national Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
One call connects you to the agency that serves your county.
A free national service that connects older adults and caregivers to local services anywhere in the U.S.
Legal Aid Society of Hawaii
Free legal help for evictions, benefits denials, elder abuse, and scams.
Ask for a referral to free legal help for seniors.
The Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) can also connect you to local legal services for seniors.
If you or a loved one lives in a nursing home or care home and something is wrong — poor care, unfair treatment, or a rights concern — the Hawaii Long-Term Care Ombudsman is a free advocate who works on your behalf.
A free, confidential advocate for residents of long-term care facilities.
National fallback: theconsumervoice.org.
Dial 211 for free, confidential help finding local resources.
Connects you to your local Area Agency on Aging.
Call the ADRC at 1-808-643-2372. Tell them what is going on. They will screen you for benefits and services at no cost.
Call for free1-808-643-2372Med-QUEST is the name of Hawaii’s Medicaid program. It provides free or low-cost health coverage — including long-term care — to residents with limited income and savings.
Mostly no. Medicare covers short-term, medically necessary care (like a limited stay in a skilled nursing facility after a hospital visit), but not ongoing long-term care. Medicaid (Med-QUEST) is the program that helps with that.
Very possibly. Income and asset limits change each year, and there are protections for spouses. Many people who assume they earn too much actually qualify. Call Med-QUEST at 1-800-316-8005 to check.
Ask about Medicare Savings Programs through Med-QUEST (1-800-316-8005) and Extra Help through Social Security (1-800-772-1213). A SHIP counselor at 1-888-875-9229 can help you apply.
Yes. Through QUEST Integration, Med-QUEST covers many home and community-based services so you can stay home. Call the ADRC (1-808-643-2372) or Med-QUEST to start.
Absolutely. The ADRC (1-808-643-2372) and SHIP (1-888-875-9229) exist for exactly this. There is no charge and no obligation.
You have worked hard your whole life, and asking for help now is a sign of strength, not weakness. One phone call today can open the door to real support.
Program details, income limits, and contact information can change. The agencies linked above can confirm the most current specifics for your situation. This page is for general information and isn't legal or financial advice.
Last reviewed: July 2026. Program details, income limits, and contact information can change — the linked agencies confirm the most current specifics.