Benefits · General Assistance
How to apply for Miami-Dade Community Resource Centers (Emergency Aid + LIHEAP Crisis)
Miami-Dade Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD)
Who it's for
Miami-Dade's 12 Community Resource Centers (CRCs) are the county's neighborhood-based front door for emergency help when a household is in a crunch — late electric bill, eviction notice, empty pantry, lost ID needed to apply for other benefits. Operated by the Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD), each CRC is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and provides a mix of in-take and direct services: emergency rental and eviction-prevention assistance, the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) crisis component (up to $4,000 per household per 12 months for past-due electric bills with a final-notice or shut-off notice), food bank referrals, application assistance for state and federal benefits, and case-management connections to longer-term help. Income eligibility for the energy and rental components is generally at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. Apply by phone at 786-469-4640, by downloading the application at miamidade.gov/socialservices, or by dropping a completed application at the secured drop box at any of the 12 CRC locations. CAHSD is the operational backbone the county leans on when a senior calls 311 looking for help — the CRC network is the practical entry point.
CAHSD emergency aid is crisis-triggered — you qualify only when you have an active emergency (final-notice utility bill, eviction notice, food shortage) AND meet the income threshold (~150% Federal Poverty Level — $23,400 for a single-person household for 2026, scaled up by household size). LIHEAP crisis is capped at $4,000 per household within any 12-month window. The income gate modeled here is the 1-person 150% FPL figure as a coarse approximation; couples and larger households have higher limits. Funds are limited and CAHSD operates on a first-come, first-served basis — call 786-469-4640 or visit a Community Resource Center early in the crisis window, not on the day of shut-off.
What you'll need
- Government-issued photo ID (U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, 18 or older, valid State of Florida ID)
- Social Security cards for each household member
- Proof of household income (pay stubs, Social Security award letter, SSA-1099)
- Past-due or final notice from utility company (for LIHEAP crisis component) or eviction notice (for rental assistance)
- Proof of Miami-Dade County residency
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 786-469-4640
Renewals
per crisis event; LIHEAP capped at $4,000 per household per 12-month period
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.