Benefits · Emergency Aid

How to apply for Community Action Program Committee LIHEAP + Emergency Home Energy Crisis Assistance (Escambia County)

Community Action Program Committee, Inc. (CAPC) — also known as Community Action Program Northwest Florida — designated Community Action Agency for Escambia County FL; administers LIHEAP, Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), and weather-related emergency home heating/cooling system repair-or-replacement assistance; funded primarily by federal HHS LIHEAP block grant ($2.26M FY25 LIHEAP + CSBG award)

Who it's for

The Community Action Program Committee (CAPC), branded Community Action Program Northwest Florida, is the designated Community Action Agency for Escambia County. CAPC administers the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which provides financial assistance for electric bills year-round and gas bills October 1 through March 31 (gas heating season only). CAPC also administers a separate Emergency Home Energy Crisis Assistance program — distinct from regular LIHEAP — which helps eligible households during a weather-related crisis (declared by the Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida's Governor, or the U.S. President) by funding repair or replacement of home heating and cooling systems. The Florida LIHEAP income gate is set at 60 percent of the State Median Income, capturing most retired seniors on Social Security alone or modest pension+SS combinations. CAPC also administers CSBG-funded self-sufficiency services that support Escambia residents through case management and referral. Apply by visiting CAPC's offices or calling CAPC at the number listed on capc-pensacola.org. Total FY25 funding was $2.26M for LIHEAP plus CSBG combined.

CAPC administers Escambia County LIHEAP on a first-come-first-served basis — funds can exhaust mid-year. Electric bill assistance is available year-round (not gated to a seasonal window like some peer counties); gas bill assistance is only available October-March (gas heating season). The Emergency Home Energy Crisis Assistance program for HVAC repair/replacement is the distinctive Escambia benefit — most Florida CAA agencies don't administer a separate funded program for broken-equipment crises, and the typical award can cover meaningful AC unit replacement cost. Eligibility for the emergency HVAC program requires a formally-declared weather emergency by the Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida's Governor, or the U.S. President — these are typically declared during summer heat events or winter cold snaps. The Florida LIHEAP income gate (~60% State Median Income ≈ $35,000 single 2026) is broad enough to capture most retired seniors. CAPC also serves as a referral hub for CSBG self-sufficiency services.

What you'll need

Proof of all household income (Social Security award letter, pension statement, pay stubs, SSI award letter)
Current energy bill (electric or gas) and any past-due notices
Photo identification
Proof of Escambia County residency (utility bill, lease, or government correspondence)
Documentation of household members and ages (especially seniors, disabled, children under 6 for priority)
For deposit assistance: lease showing required deposit; for past-due assistance: shutoff notice
For emergency HVAC repair/replacement: weather-emergency declaration documentation + broken-equipment work order or repair estimate

Where to apply

Apply online: official application

By phone: 850-438-4021

Renewals

annual LIHEAP regular + crisis benefits per program year; emergency HVAC repair is one-time per crisis event

Official source →Last verified · June 3, 2026

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Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.