COMMUNITY
Seniors Encouraged to Apply for Energy Bill Assistance Before May 31st Deadline Central Florida seniors have until May 31 to apply for energy bill assistance through the Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP). Qualifying seniors are eligible to receive up to $5,000 in assistance on multiple energy bills, to purchase necessary materials, conduct repairs and more.
Senior Resource Alliance (SRA), Central Florida’s Area Agency on Aging that is overseeing EHEAP. “With prices rising on most goods and services, we are doing everything we can to ensure seniors have access to the assistance they need.”
EHEAP, which is 100% federally funded through a grant by the U.S. Department of Health and HuUtility categories eligible for heating/cooling bill man Services, helps qualifying seniors pay enerassistance include electricity, natural gas, propane, gy bills in an emergency. In 2021, SRA processed wood/coal and refillable fuels. Benefits may also more than 1,300 applications, assisting in the disbe used for: tribution of over $514,000 in EHEAP crisis funds to help local seniors. The remaining 2021 funds expire at the end of May. • Pre-paying future energy bills • Purchasing summer necessities, such as portable Qualifications for EHEAP eligibility in Central fans and window air conditioners – or items for Florida include: winter, such as blankets and space heaters • Applicants must be age 60 or older and reside in a home located in one of the following counites: • Repairing existing heating/cooling unit Orange, Seminole, Osceola or Brevard. • Deposits to connect or restore energy • Energy bill does not need to be in the elder’s name, but the elder will need to provide proof of • Late fees and disconnect/reconnect fees residence, such as a driver’s license or other iden• Charges from a now-closed account previously tification. held by the elder resident • Applicant must be experiencing a home energy • Payment to landlord when utility costs are in- crisis, such as disconnection, delinquency or past due bills. cluded in rent • Temporary emergency shelter due to an ener- • Applicants who meet the new eligibility requirements must provide proof of TANF, SSI or SNAP gy-related crisis benefits, such as an award letter, in addition to “Seniors need to know that these funds can be documentation of total household income. used for so much more than just paying energy bills,” said Karla Radka, President and CEO of 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.
