Benefits · Emergency Aid
How to apply for Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) — Gulf County
Florida Department of Elder Affairs — Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP), funded by the federal LIHEAP block grant, administered by the state, and delivered in Gulf County by Liberty County Senior Citizens Association under contract with Advantage Aging Solutions (the Area Agency on Aging for PSA 2)
Who it's for
The Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) is a Florida Department of Elder Affairs program for households with at least one person age 60 or older who face a home energy emergency. It pays toward a past-due bill, a reconnection deposit, or a broken heating or cooling unit. In Gulf County, EHEAP intake runs through Liberty County Senior Citizens Association in Bristol, which Advantage Aging Solutions lists as the Lead Agency for Gulf County. Call 850-643-5613, or the statewide Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337.
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 CACAA (fl.gulf.cacaa_liheap) instead. The income gate follows LIHEAP's 60% SMI standard (corrected 2026-07-07; the old 150% FPL framing was wrong) and matches LIHEAP's 60% SMI gate — many seniors who qualify for LIHEAP will NOT qualify for EHEAP because their Social Security alone places them above the 60% state-median-income line for a single person ($32,155 in 2026). Couples have a higher cap (~$31,725). 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 Gulf County, GCSCA is the integrated intake point.
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 Gulf 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: 850-643-5613
What to say when you call
"Hello, I'm calling to ask about Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) — Gulf 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 Gulf 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
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.