How to apply for Marion County Community Services — Rent + Mortgage + Utility Assistance in Florida
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 = $47,050 for 1-person household 2026) is the published 2026 SHIP/HUD 80% limit (Florida Housing Finance Corporation, effective 5/1/2026); 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.
People who qualify for one senior program often qualify for others. See everything you may qualify for — free, no SSN, about five minutes.
Discover my benefitsWhat 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
What to say when you call
"Hello, I'm calling to ask about Marion County Community Services — Rent + Mortgage + Utility Assistance. I'd like to know whether I may qualify, what documents I need, and whether I can apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person. I understand I may 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) — is anything else required? What is the best next step?"
Tip: have a pen ready, ask for the person's name, and write down any case or reference number they give you.
Renewals
one-time per qualifying hardship event; subject to funding availability
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Discover my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.