Florida LIHEAP 2026: Cooling Help and EHEAP for Seniors
In Florida, LIHEAP is delivered through local community agencies and covers cooling as well as heating, with a separate emergency program, EHEAP, for households that include someone aged 60 or older.
Quick answer
To apply for LIHEAP in Florida: Florida’s LIHEAP is administered by the Florida Department of Commerce through local Community Action Agencies. Apply through the provider that serves your county. Applying is free through the official agency.
How LIHEAP works in Florida
Florida’s LIHEAP is administered by FloridaCommerce and delivered through a network of local community action agencies; you apply through your county’s designated agency, which you can reach through the statewide Florida LIHEAP portal. Because of the climate, Florida emphasizes help with cooling costs as well as heating, and offers crisis assistance; the grant is paid directly to your utility.
Florida also runs a separate track, the Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP), for households with a member aged 60 or older, administered through the Department of Elder Affairs and its Area Agencies on Aging — you can reach it by calling 2-1-1.
What LIHEAP is, who is eligible, and what it can pay toward are federal — those are covered in how to apply for LIHEAP. What is state-specific is the program’s name, who runs it, and where you apply.
What this program helps with
LIHEAP (the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills, and can help in an energy emergency such as a shut-off notice or being low on fuel. Some areas also offer weatherization to make a home more energy efficient.
Who may qualify
Eligibility is based on household income and size, and the rules and income limits vary by state. Many states also automatically qualify households that already receive SNAP, TANF, or certain other benefits. Funding is limited and the program has seasonal open and close dates, so apply early. Confirm the current income limits and dates on the official state site. We do not list dollar figures here because the official limits are set by your state and can change each season – always confirm the current numbers on the official site below.
How to apply in Florida
Florida’s LIHEAP is administered by the Florida Department of Commerce through local Community Action Agencies. Apply through the provider that serves your county. You can usually start online, by phone, or in person, and a local office finalizes your application.
Documents you may need
Have ready: photo ID, Social Security numbers for the household, proof of income for everyone in the home, a recent energy or utility bill, and any shut-off or past-due notice. Bring copies and keep your originals.
What to expect after you apply
Applications are processed in the order received while funds last, so applying early in the season helps. If approved, the benefit is usually paid directly to your utility company or fuel provider and credited to your account. If you have a heating or cooling emergency, ask about crisis assistance, which is handled faster.
Official website / application link
Florida LIHEAP (Department of Commerce), Federal LIHEAP (ACF). Applying is free through the official agency – never pay a third party.
Related guides on GlobalBenefits.org
- Back to the energy assistance (LIHEAP) hub
- National LIHEAP guide
- Florida SNAP / food stamps
- Florida Medicaid
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be behind on my bill to get LIHEAP?
No – regular LIHEAP helps with ongoing energy costs, while crisis assistance is for emergencies like a shut-off. You can apply before you fall behind.
Can renters apply?
Yes. Both renters and homeowners can apply as long as they are responsible for their home energy costs.
Applying in Florida: local providers, timelines, and appeals
Florida’s LIHEAP is administered by FloridaCommerce (the Florida Department of Commerce, formerly DEO) and delivered by local Community Action Agencies that serve each county. Because it is local, you apply through the provider for your county — to find yours, call FloridaCommerce’s statewide locator line at 850-717-8450, dial 2-1-1, or use the federal LIHEAP referral (NEAR) line at 1-866-674-6327.
Income: your household generally must be at or below 60% of Florida’s state median income or 150% of the federal poverty level, be responsible for the home-energy bill, and be a Florida resident.
Timeline: the provider must mail a written approval or denial within 15 business days of a completed application, and true life-threatening energy crises are handled within 18 hours. Benefits are usually paid straight to your utility. LIHEAP is not renewed automatically — reapply each heating (Oct–Mar) or cooling (Apr–Sep) season, while crisis help is available year-round.
If denied: you can file a written appeal with the provider’s program supervisor, generally within 10 working days of the denial notice. Related: check your LIHEAP application status and free home weatherization. Last verified July 2026 against floridajobs.org (FloridaCommerce).
You can also confirm details and screen for programs at Benefits.gov and the federal LIHEAP (ACF) page. Applying is free through the official agency.
Last reviewed July 24, 2026 by the GlobalBenefits editorial team. GlobalBenefits is not a government agency; income limits, amounts, dates, and phone numbers are set by the official agencies above and can change – always confirm there before applying. See our corrections policy.
LIHEAP in other priority states: California · Texas · New York · Pennsylvania.