Benefits · Emergency Aid
How to apply for Tri-County Community Action LIHEAP (Washington County)
Tri-County Community Action, Inc. (TCCA) — designated Community Action Agency serving five Florida Panhandle counties (Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, Washington); administers the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Florida Department of Commerce
Who it's for
Tri-County Community Action, Inc. (TCCA) is the designated Community Action Agency serving Washington County (along with Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton Counties) for LIHEAP delivery. TCCA's LIHEAP provides assistance to meet the cost of home heating and cooling for eligible households and emergency assistance to households without home energy or in danger of losing home energy during a crisis (shutoff, deposit-for-restoration, or weather-related crisis). The Florida LIHEAP income gate is set at 60 percent of the State Median Income — capturing most retired seniors on Social Security alone or modest pension+SS combinations. Benefit amounts depend on total household income, household composition, and whether there are elderly residents, disabled individuals, or children under age 6 — senior-headed households receive application priority. Applications can be submitted online or by printing a form to mail in; submitting an application does not guarantee service (first-come-first-served funding). Apply by calling TCCA at 850-981-0036.
TCCA administers Washington County LIHEAP on a first-come-first-served basis — submitting an application does NOT guarantee service. Apply early in the cooling season (typically February-March) and heating season (typically November-December). Florida LIHEAP uses 60% of State Median Income as the income gate (the modeled $35,000 figure approximates 60% SMI for a single-person Florida household 2026; scaled up by household size). Senior-headed households receive priority. TCCA's five-county service area means application sites may not be physically located within easy travel distance for all Washington residents — Chipley-area seniors face shorter travel; Vernon/Caryville/Wausau seniors face longer travel. Washington Transportation (TCCC paratransit, a related-but-distinct organization despite similar names) can sometimes facilitate trips to TCCA intake sites. Critical disambiguation: TCCA (Tri-County Community Action) administers LIHEAP; TCCC (Tri-County Community Council) operates Washington Transportation — same building / same campus / similar names but distinct legal entities and distinct missions.
What you'll need
- Proof of all household income (Social Security award letter, pension statement, pay stubs, SSI award letter)
- Current energy bill (electric or gas) and any past-due notices
- Photo identification
- Proof of Washington County residency (utility bill, lease, or government correspondence)
- Documentation of household members and ages (especially seniors, disabled, children under 6 for priority)
- For deposit assistance: lease showing required deposit; for past-due assistance: shutoff notice
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 850-981-0036
Renewals
annual regular benefit + crisis benefits per program year
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.