Florida LIHEAP helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), administered locally through Community Action Agencies statewide. Florida’s LIHEAP includes a year-round crisis component and a distinctive Florida-specific program for seniors: EHEAP (Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program), which provides up to $5,000 exclusively for households with a member age 60 or older facing an energy crisis.
Florida’s climate — hot humid summers and mild winters — shapes its LIHEAP structure: cooling enrollment (28,957 households in FY 2024) is higher than heating enrollment (21,685), and the year-round crisis program handles the largest caseload (44,964 in FY 2024) of any benefit type.
What Does Florida LIHEAP Cover?
Home Energy Assistance (Standard) — a one-time payment per program period toward regular utility bills. Sent directly to your energy provider (FPL, Duke Energy, TECO, etc.) as a credit on your account. Benefit range: $400 minimum to $1,350 maximum.
Year-Round Crisis Assistance — emergency help for households facing an immediate energy crisis: shutoff notice, service already disconnected, or a weather-related energy emergency. Maximum: $2,000. Available year-round. Requires a Final Notice or disconnection letter from your utility company; a documented non-functioning heating or cooling system during extreme temperatures also qualifies.
EHEAP — Seniors Energy Emergency Program — Florida’s unique elderly energy assistance program, administered separately by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs through Area Agencies on Aging. Available to households with at least one member age 60 or older facing an energy crisis:
- Maximum benefit: up to $5,000 — significantly larger than standard LIHEAP crisis assistance
- Can be received multiple times per year
- Covers past-due bills, reconnection fees, and in some cases the purchase of portable fans or air conditioning units if the central system is broken
- Cooling crisis period: April 1 – September 30; Heating crisis: October 1 – March 31
- Apply separately through your local Area Agency on Aging — call 211 or visit elderaffairs.org
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) — free home energy efficiency upgrades (insulation, HVAC system repairs or replacement, window and door sealing). Income limit: 200% FPL. Florida also supplements WAP through the William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Act (passed 1992), which funds the State Housing Initiatives Partnership and Low-Income Emergency Home Repair Program using documentary stamp taxes on deeds.
Florida LIHEAP Income Limits 2026
Florida uses 60% of State Median Income (SMI) for heating, cooling, and crisis programs. For households of 10 or more members, Florida uses 150% Federal Poverty Guidelines instead. All income is calculated as gross household income for the past 30 days.
| Household Size | Annual Income Limit | Monthly Income Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ~$28,682 | ~$2,390 |
| 2 | ~$42,049 | ~$3,504 |
| 3 | ~$52,598 | ~$4,383 |
| 4 | ~$63,146 | ~$5,262 |
| 5 | ~$73,695 | ~$6,141 |
| 6 | ~$84,244 | ~$7,020 |
| Each additional | +$8,976/year | +$748/month |
60% SMI figures based on FY 2026 eligibility data. Confirm current limits at FloridaLIHEAP.com or by calling 850-717-8450.
For a national comparison of how LIHEAP income thresholds vary by state, see the LIHEAP eligibility guide.
No asset limit: Florida LIHEAP has no asset test.
Categorical eligibility: Households receiving SNAP, TANF, or SSI are automatically income-eligible. No additional income verification is required — your benefit award letter qualifies you immediately.
Florida LIHEAP Program Dates
| Program | Dates |
|---|---|
| Home Energy Assistance (heating) | October 1 – March 31 |
| Home Energy Assistance (cooling) | April 1 – September 30 |
| Year-Round Crisis | Year-round |
| EHEAP (cooling crisis) | April 1 – September 30 |
| EHEAP (heating crisis) | October 1 – March 31 |
| Weatherization | Year-round |
Who Qualifies for Florida LIHEAP
To qualify for Florida LIHEAP:
- Florida residency: You must live in Florida as your primary residence
- Income: Gross household income for the past 30 days at or below 60% Florida SMI (or categorically eligible through SNAP, TANF, or SSI)
- Energy need: An active utility account or responsibility for energy costs
- U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status
Renters are eligible — including those whose heat is included in rent, though the utility bill must be in a household member’s name, or you must provide proof (signed lease, landlord letter) showing you are responsible for paying it.
Mobile home residents — Florida LIHEAP specifically notes mobile home residents as a priority population for weatherization given insulation challenges typical in older manufactured homes.
Priority populations served first:
- Households with members aged 60 or older (also have access to EHEAP)
- Households with members who have disabilities
- Households with young children
How to Apply for Florida LIHEAP
Step 1 — Check Categorical Eligibility First
If anyone in your household receives SNAP, TANF, or SSI, you are automatically income-eligible. Skip the income calculation and go directly to applying — no separate income review is required.
Step 2 — Apply Online at FloridaLIHEAP.com
Online (fastest): Apply at FloridaLIHEAP.com — Florida’s dedicated LIHEAP portal. Create a secure account, upload required documents, and submit. Online applications are processed faster than paper applications and allow you to track your status and respond to agency requests without phone tag.
By phone: Call 850-717-8450 (DEO LIHEAP line) to find your local Community Action Agency. You can also find Florida’s contact information in the LIHEAP phone number directory.
Dial 211 — Florida 211 connects you to your local Community Action Agency and can also provide referrals for EHEAP and other utility assistance programs.
For a general overview of the process, see how to apply for LIHEAP.
Step 3 — Documents Required
Upload or bring the following:
- Photo ID (Florida driver’s license or state ID)
- Social Security cards for all household members
- 30-day income proof — pay stubs, award letters (SNAP, SSI, TANF, Social Security), or self-employment records
- Current utility bill (must show account number and service address)
- Disconnection notice (for crisis assistance — a Final Notice or shutoff letter is typically required)
Step 4 — If You or a Household Member Is 60 or Older — Also Apply for EHEAP
EHEAP is an entirely separate program with its own funding pool, administered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs through Area Agencies on Aging. Because EHEAP can provide up to $5,000 and can be received multiple times per year, eligible seniors should apply for both standard LIHEAP and EHEAP:
- Call 211 to find your local EHEAP contact
- Or visit elderaffairs.org for Area Agency on Aging contacts
- EHEAP income limit: 60% SMI (same as LIHEAP)
To check on a submitted application’s status, see how to track your LIHEAP application status.
Florida LIHEAP Funding 2026
Florida received $121,578,634 in federal LIHEAP funding for FY 2026, including an additional $5,707,205 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Florida is the fourth-largest LIHEAP allocation in the country. In FY 2024, Florida served 21,685 heating households, 28,957 cooling households, 44,964 crisis households, and 253 weatherization households. Browse LIHEAP funding by state to see how Florida compares nationally.
Florida’s crisis enrollment (44,964) substantially exceeding both regular heating (21,685) and cooling (28,957) reflects the severe financial pressure Florida’s utility bills — particularly summer electricity for air conditioning — place on low-income households.
Florida Utility Company Assistance Programs
FPL (Florida Power & Light) Customer Connect — FPL’s low-income assistance program; LIHEAP recipients may qualify for additional bill credits.
Duke Energy Florida Care — additional bill assistance for income-eligible Duke Energy customers.
Tampa Electric (TECO) Helping Hand — emergency bill assistance for TECO customers facing hardship.
Tampa Hillsborough Action Plan (THAP) — distributes Tampa Electric-provided energy-saving kits for households with income below 200% FPL.
Key West City Electric System Senior/Disabled Veteran Discount — applicants must be 62 or older or a permanently disabled American veteran.
Contact your utility company directly or through your Community Action Agency for availability and enrollment.
Additional Resources for Florida Families
Florida SNAP: Check Florida SNAP income limits and see how to apply for SNAP in Florida.
Florida Medicaid: Check Florida Medicaid eligibility and income limits.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check Florida WIC income eligibility.
211: Dial 211 for referrals to local energy assistance, food, housing, and other programs statewide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the income limits for Florida LIHEAP?
60% of State Median Income for most households — approximately $3,504/month ($42,049/year) for a 2-person household in 2026. For households of 10 or more, 150% FPL applies. There is no asset limit. Confirm current figures at FloridaLIHEAP.com.
What is EHEAP and who qualifies?
EHEAP (Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program) is a Florida-specific program for households with at least one member age 60 or older who is facing an energy crisis (shutoff notice). It provides up to $5,000, can be received multiple times per year, and is administered separately through Area Agencies on Aging. Call 211 or visit elderaffairs.org.
How do I apply for Florida LIHEAP?
Apply online at FloridaLIHEAP.com (fastest), call 850-717-8450 to find your local Community Action Agency, or dial 211. If you receive SNAP, TANF, or SSI, you are automatically income-eligible and can skip the income verification step.
Does Florida LIHEAP cover cooling costs?
Yes — Florida LIHEAP covers both heating (October 1–March 31) and cooling (April 1–September 30). Cooling enrollment in Florida actually exceeds heating enrollment, reflecting the state’s extreme summer heat.
Can seniors get more help than the standard LIHEAP benefit?
Yes — EHEAP provides up to $5,000 and can be used multiple times per year for qualifying seniors (60+) in crisis. This is separate from standard LIHEAP. Apply through your local Area Agency on Aging by calling 211.
What documents do I need for Florida LIHEAP?
Photo ID, Social Security cards for all household members, 30-day income proof (or benefit award letter for SNAP/SSI/TANF), and your current utility bill. For crisis assistance, bring your disconnection notice.
For current Florida LIHEAP information and to apply, visit FloridaLIHEAP.com or call 850-717-8450. Income limits update annually — confirm current figures at the DEO website.