Benefits · Emergency Aid
How to apply for Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) — Alachua County
Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) — federally LIHEAP-funded, state-administered, locally delivered by ElderCare of Alachua County (under Shands HealthCare / UF Health) under contract with Elder Options (Mid-Florida Area Agency on Aging, PSA 3)
Who it's for
The Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) is a Florida Department of Elder Affairs program funded through the federal LIHEAP block grant but administered separately from regular LIHEAP — explicitly targeted at low-income households with at least one person age 60+. In Alachua County, EHEAP is delivered by ElderCare of Alachua County, the local AAA delivery partner operating under the Shands HealthCare / UF Health umbrella. EHEAP provides emergency assistance to seniors facing imminent utility shutoff, deposit requirements for service restoration, or a home cooling/heating crisis. Maximum benefits are typically $600-$1,000 per emergency, paid directly to the utility company or the AC repair vendor. EHEAP can stack with regular LIHEAP (fl.alachua.cfcaa_liheap) — a senior household may receive both. Income eligibility is set at 150% of the Federal Poverty Guideline. At least one household member must be 60 years old or older. Apply via Elder Options' helpline at 1-800-262-2243 (which routes to ElderCare of Alachua County) or contact ElderCare directly through Shands HealthCare patient resources.
EHEAP is genuinely emergency-only — applicants must document an imminent shutoff, deposit-for-restoration requirement, or broken heating/cooling crisis. Routine bill assistance for seniors should go through regular LIHEAP via CFCAA (fl.alachua.cfcaa_liheap) instead. The 150% FPL income gate is meaningfully tighter than LIHEAP's 60% SMI gate. Up to 2 EHEAP benefits per program year per household. Florida DOEA caps the typical award at $600-$1,000 per emergency, paid directly to the utility or vendor. For Alachua County, ElderCare of Alachua County (under Shands HealthCare / UF Health) is the integrated intake point — Elder Options' helpline at 1-800-262-2243 routes to ElderCare for Alachua residents.
What you'll need
- Proof of age 60+ for at least one household member (Florida driver's license, Florida ID, or Medicare card)
- Proof of household income for all members (Social Security award letter, pension statement, SSI award letter, pay stubs)
- Proof of Alachua County residency (utility bill, lease, or government correspondence)
- Documentation of the energy emergency: utility shutoff notice, broken-equipment work order or repair estimate, or service-restoration deposit requirement
- Current utility bill
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 1-800-262-2243
Renewals
up to 2 benefits per program year per household per the Florida DOEA rule
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.