LIHEAP in Florida
LIHEAP is a federal low-income program designed to help energy customers maintain utility accounts that supply heating and cooling for the home. Florida LIHEAP offers an open enrollment period so residents can apply for acceptance and funding any time of year. Florida provides support for both heating and cooling. Most LIHEAP programs also offer crisis assistance for families in dire need facing service interruption. Florida LIHEAP works with local utility companies; supplying payment, but those same utility companies often offer additional support above and beyond the LIHEAP support. Utility companies working with LIHEAP include:
- City of Electric System, Key West
- City of Lake Worth Utilities
- City of Leesburg
- City of Tallahassee
- Clay Electric Co-Op
- Florida Keys Electric Co-Op
- Florida Light & Power
- Fort Pierce Authority
- Gainesville Regional Utilities
- Glades Electric Co-Op
- Gulf Power
- JEA
- Kissimmee Utility
- Lakeland Electric
- Ocala Electric
- Orlando Utilities Commission
- Progress Energy
- Sumter Electric Co-Op
- Tampa Electric
- Withlacoochee River Electric Co-Op
Florida LIHEAP Assistance
In 2012, Florida LIHEAP received more than $57 million in funding. During the previous calendar year, Florida supporting more than 150,000 households with heating and cooling funds to prevent service interruption. Applicants receive a minimum benefit of $150 and a maximum benefit of $300 per calendar year. After one year has passed, applicants must reapply for the program.
LIHEAP Application & How to Apply
Applying for Florida LIHEAP involves visiting the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity or one of the community action agencies in your local community. Community action agencies work with local government and utility companies to ease the application process. There is no online application for Florida LIHEAP, but residents can contact the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity at 1-850-717-8450 for an application.
Before applying for the program it is best to review the income guidelines established by the state and federal governments. In Florida, residents can earn 150% of the Federal Poverty Level and still qualify for LIHEAP. You must prove income and family size during the application process to be approved. Funds are sent directly to your utility company.
LIHEAP Eligibility – Am I Eligible?
If your income falls at or below the following limits you could be eligible for Florida LIHEAP. If you are close to the limit it may be beneficial to apply for the program anyway or contact the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity or a local community action agency for guidance.
Family Size | 150% of Poverty |
1 | $16,335 |
2 | $22,065 |
3 | $27,795 |
4 | $33,525 |
5 | $39,255 |
6 | $44,985 |
7 | $50,715 |
8 | $56,445 |
If there are more than eight people in your family, add $5,730 for each additional family member.
Florida LIHEAP is there to help low-income families meet utility bills and stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. If you are eligible for LIHEAP, you may also be eligible for other programs from your utility company. If you are not eligible for LIHEAP contact your utility company for other options for paying down your utility bill.
