UPDATE 3/8/22: The deadline was extended for seniors in need of assistance:
Central Florida seniors had until March 31st to apply for energy bill assistance through the Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP), but that deadline has now been extended to May 31st. Qualifying seniors are eligible to receive up to $5,000 in assistance on multiple energy bills. As costs continue to rise and seniors recover from the effects of COVID-19, it’s more important than ever that the remaining EHEAP funds get into the hands of seniors in need to pay past-due energy bills.
EHEAP, which is 100% federally funded through a grant by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, helps qualifying seniors pay energy bills in an emergency. Locally, the program is overseen by Senior Resource Alliance (SRA), Central Florida’s Area Agency on Aging. In 2021, SRA processed more than 1,300 applications, assisting in the distribution of over $514,000 in EHEAP crisis funds to help local seniors. The remaining 2021 funds were set to expire at the end of March, but now will be extended to May 31st. Seniors still should not wait to reach out for assistance if needed.
“We’re grateful to have helped so may seniors in 2021, but due to rising costs and the lingering effects of COVID-19, many of our seniors are still struggling to keep the lights on,” said Karla Radka, President and CEO of SRA. “Our top priority is getting these remaining funds to seniors before they expire to ensure that no critical assistance goes to waste, and more importantly, that no senior is left in the dark.”
Qualifications for EHEAP include:
- Applicants must be age 60 or older and reside in a home located in one of the following counites: Orange, Seminole, Osceola or Brevard.
- Energy bill does not need to be in the elder’s name, but the elder will need to provide proof of residence, such as a driver’s license or other identification.
- Applicant must be experiencing a home energy crisis, such as disconnection, delinquency or past due bills.
- Applicants who meet the new eligibility requirements must provide proof of TANF, SSI or SNAP benefits, such as an award letter, in addition to documentation of total household income.
EHEAP applications are being processed directly by three SRA partner agencies: Osceola Council on Aging in Osceola and Orange counties; Meals on Wheels, Etc., in Seminole County; and Brevard Alzheimer’s Foundation in Brevard County. Those interested in applying should contact the Osceola Council on Aging at (407) 846-8532; Meals on Wheels, Etc., at (407) 333-8877; or Brevard Alzheimer’s Foundation at (321) 253-4430. For more information about SRA and its services, please visit SeniorResourceAlliance.org.
