Benefits · Emergency Aid

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

Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) — federally LIHEAP-funded, state-administered, locally delivered through Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (AAASWFL) via the regional ElderHelpline for Hendry County seniors

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 Hendry County, EHEAP is delivered through AAASWFL (Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida) via the regional ElderHelpline. 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.hendry.hendry_social_services_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 by calling the AAASWFL ElderHelpline at 1-866-413-5337 or 1-800-96-ELDER — this routes to the appropriate Hendry County EHEAP intake.

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 Hendry County Social Services (fl.hendry.hendry_social_services_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 Hendry County, AAASWFL's ElderHelpline (1-866-413-5337) is the integrated intake point for the senior pathway — connects to appropriate local EHEAP delivery.

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 Hendry 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: 1-866-413-5337

Renewals

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

Official source →Last verified · June 4, 2026

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