Benefits · Emergency Aid
How to apply for Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) — Holmes County
Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) — federally LIHEAP-funded, state-administered, locally delivered by Holmes Council on Aging (HCOA) under contract with Advantage Aging Solutions (PSA 2 Area Agency on Aging)
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 Holmes County, EHEAP is delivered by Holmes Council on Aging (HCOA), the local 501(c)(3) AAA delivery partner. EHEAP provides emergency assistance to seniors facing imminent utility shutoff, deposit requirements for service restoration, or a home cooling/heating crisis (broken AC during summer heat or broken heater during winter cold). 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 — a senior household may receive both, with EHEAP covering the immediate emergency and LIHEAP covering ongoing bill assistance. Income eligibility is set at 150% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (tighter than LIHEAP's 60% SMI gate). At least one household member must be 60 years old or older. Apply by calling HCOA at 850-547-2345 — same intake as Meals on Wheels, CCE, HCE, ADI, and Medical Cost Assistance.
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 (fl.holmes.tcca_liheap) instead. The 150% FPL income gate is meaningfully tighter than LIHEAP's 60% SMI gate — many seniors who qualify for LIHEAP will NOT qualify for EHEAP because their Social Security alone places them above 150% FPL for a single person ($23,475 in 2026). Couples have a higher cap (~$31,725) which broadens eligibility. 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 — not to the household. EHEAP stacks with LIHEAP: an eligible senior can receive both in the same program year. For Holmes County, HCOA is the integrated intake point — same phone (850-547-2345) handles EHEAP + Meals on Wheels + CCE + HCE + ADI + Medical Cost Assistance, making it operationally simple for seniors who may not navigate multi-agency referrals well.
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 Holmes 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: 850-547-2345
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.