Special to the Herald
As temperatures in Central Florida remain hot, there’s some relief for local seniors who are struggling to pay their energy bills. Residents aged 60 or older who live in Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Brevard counties may be eligible for up to $5,000 of assistance through the Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP), which helps qualifying seniors pay energy bills in an emergency. The program is 100% federally funded through a grant by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and seniors can now apply for the 2024-2025 funds through June 2025.
Senior Resource Alliance (SRA), Central Florida’s Area Agency on Aging, oversees EHEAP applications and the distribution of funds in Orange, Osceola, Brevard and Seminole counties. The agency has distributed more than $450,000 in energy bill assistance since August 2023.
“Central Florida seniors face added challenges in the summer months as temperatures rise and drive-up energy costs,” said Karla Radka, President and CEO of SRA. "In the face of inflation, it's crucial that seniors are aware that there is help available to them."
Qualifications for EHEAP eligibility in Central Florida include:
• Applicants must be age 60 or older and reside in a home located in Orange, Seminole, Osceola or Brevard County.
• Proof of residence, such as a driver’s license or other identification. (The energy bill does not need to be in the elder’s name.)
• Applicant must be experiencing a home energy crisis, such as disconnection, delinquency or past due bills.
• Applicants are “categorically eligible” if they can provide proof of TANF, SSI or SNAP benefits, such as an award letter, in addition to documentation of total household income.
