By AMBER PATINO
Florida’s Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) is undergoing a statewide administrative transition that will change how seniors access energy‑bill assistance, but the program itself is not ending. While local agencies will no longer administer EHEAP directly, eligible seniors will continue to receive crisis energy assistance through the Florida Department of Commerce.
The Florida Department of Elder Affairs announced that EHEAP operations are being moved from Elder Affairs to FloridaCommerce’s Division of Community Development, which oversees the federal Low‑Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). EHEAP has historically been funded through LIHEAP, and this shift places all LIHEAP‑related services under one agency.
As part of this transition, the Holmes Council on Aging (HCOA) notified clients that it would no longer administer the program effective July 1 of this year. In a letter to seniors and community partners, Executive Director Michael Brown emphasized that the change is due to circumstances beyond the agency’s control and does not reflect a reduction in commitment to local elders. Although the HCOA will no longer process EHEAP applications, seniors in Holmes County will still have access to energy‑bill assistance through LIHEAP crisis benefits.
To ensure seniors do not experience gaps in service, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs has provided interim guidance. Seniors facing an energy crisis, such as a past‑due bill, disconnect notice, or need for reconnection, should now use one of the following options: apply electronically through the Florida LIHEAP online portal at FloridaLIHEAP.com, or contact their local Community Action Agency (CAA) for in‑person assistance. A directory of CAAs is available at FloridaJobs.org/LIHEAPHelp. Tri‑County Community Council remains the primary LIHEAP provider for this region and will continue offering energy‑assistance programs for eligible households.
LIHEAP crisis benefits can help seniors with past‑due balances, deposits, disconnect and reconnect fees, and other eligible charges needed to prevent or restore service. Seniors receive priority eligibility, and households with at least one elderly member qualify for an additional benefit. Income eligibility is set at 60 percent of the State Median Income, and households enrolled in TANF, SNAP, or SSI may qualify automatically.
While the administrative shift may cause temporary confusion, state officials stress that energy assistance for seniors is continuing, just through a different process. The HCOA expressed hope that future opportunities may allow the agency to resume offering the service and encouraged seniors to reach out to Tri‑County Community Council at 850-638-4520 or use the LIHEAP online portal to avoid delays in receiving help.
Staff Report 