How to apply for Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) — Alachua County

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.

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

What to say when you call

"Hello, I'm calling to ask about Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) — Alachua County. I'd like to know whether I may qualify, what documents I need, and whether I can apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person. I understand I may 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) — is anything else required? What is the best next step?"

Tip: have a pen ready, ask for the person's name, and write down any case or reference number they give you.

Renewals

up to 2 benefits per program year per household per the Florida DOEA rule