Benefits · General Assistance
How to apply for Marion County Community Services — Rent + Mortgage + Utility Assistance
Marion County Community Services Department
Who it's for
Marion County's Community Services Department administers the county's safety-net assistance programs from its Ocala offices at 2710 E. Silver Springs Boulevard. The department provides one-time financial assistance with rent, mortgage, or utility payments — including electric, water, sewer, internet, and cable — paid directly to the landlord or utility provider on behalf of qualifying Marion residents. Payments may cover both arrears (past-due amounts) and future bills depending on funding availability and the applicant's situation. As an entitlement recipient of federal HUD funds, Marion County was awarded $3,217,585 in HOME-ARP funds that may be deployed for tenant-based rental assistance (TBRA). Applications are accepted on a first-qualified, first-served basis as long as funding is available — submitting an application does not guarantee approval. Apply online via marionfl.org or in person at 2710 E. Silver Springs Boulevard. Call (352) 671-8770 (fax 352-671-8769) for application questions and current intake status.
Marion County Community Services assistance is funding-constrained — applications are reviewed on a first-qualified, first-served basis as long as funding is available, and submission does not guarantee approval. The income gate modeled here (~80% AMI / $42,000 for 1-person household 2026) is the typical HUD threshold; specific sub-programs within the department may use stricter income gates. Utility payments are paid directly to the utility provider (not to the household). The HOME-ARP tenant-based rental assistance pathway is COVID-era ARPA funding that may eventually exhaust — check current intake status before applying. Apply online via marionfl.org or in person at 2710 E. Silver Springs Boulevard, Ocala.
What you'll need
- Government-issued photo ID for the applicant
- Proof of Marion County residency
- Proof of household income (pay stubs, Social Security award letter, SSA-1099, tax return)
- Proof of household size
- Documentation of the financial hardship
- Eviction notice, past-due rent statement, mortgage default notice, or utility shut-off notice depending on the assistance requested
- Lease, mortgage statement, or utility bill
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 352-671-8770
Renewals
one-time per qualifying hardship event; subject to funding availability
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.