Reduced bus fares for people with very low incomes

(a) Individuals who have received an eligibility letter from the Social Security Administration for benefits under the Supplemental Security Income program are eligible for the reduced transit fare upon the presentation of the Supplemental Security Income eligibility letter to the department. (b) Individuals whose household incomes meet the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development guidelines for households with extremely low income within the city for the applicable household size, may also qualify for the reduced transit fare through application to the department of community services. The department of community services shall be responsible for the intake and processing of applications, determination of eligibility, and communication of an applicant’s eligibility to the department. (c) The director of community services shall determine the eligibility of the individual for the reduced transit fare established under this section upon review and verification of an application to qualify for the fare. The application form must be prescribed and furnished by the director of community services. The director of community services may require proof of age, total household income, and household size, and proof may include but will not be limited to true copies of personal income tax returns, bank statements, or other financial records. The director of community services may require authorization from the household to enable the director of community services to fully verify household income. The director of community services shall determine whether an applicant qualifies for the reduced transit fare within 60 days of receipt of the completed application, and the decision of the director of community services will be final. The determination of eligibility will remain in effect for the period from the date of approval through the ending of the fiscal year on June 30. (d) Eligible individuals may receive a city payment card programmed with fares as follows: (1) A single ride fare of $1.25; (2) A daily maximum capped fare of $3; (3) A monthly maximum capped fare of $20; and (4) A prepaid fare of $45. The reduced fares specified in this subsection are not applicable for rides on the city paratransit system or for the special events service. (e) The department of community services may adopt rules in accordance with HRS Chapter 91 to implement this section. (f) Availability of this program is limited to a city subsidy of $1,500,000 per fiscal year, unless additional appropriations of general funds or noncity funds are approved.