How to apply for Seminole County Prevention Assistance Program (Rent, Mortgage, Utilities) in Florida
Seminole County Community Services Department — Community Development Division
Who it's for
Seminole County's Community Services Department coordinates the county's safety-net programs through its Community Development Division. The Prevention Assistance Program provides one-time financial help with past-due rent, mortgage, or utilities for qualified Seminole County residents (subject to funding availability). Assistance is capped at the lower of three months of past-due rent or $5,000 — generous by FL-cluster standards. Eligibility requires household gross income at or below 120 percent of the Area Median Income ($96,600 for one person, $110,400 for two, effective April 1, 2026), Seminole County residency, a documented financial hardship that began within the prior 90 days, and proof you can keep up with at least half of ongoing housing costs. Households may receive help once every two years, but elderly, fixed-income households may apply once every 12 months. Section 8, HUD, TBRA, and other subsidized-housing recipients are not eligible. Apply through the Seminole County Participant Portal by selecting Prevention Assistance, or use the self-service Application Center at 520 West Lake Mary Boulevard, Suite 100, Sanford. Questions: (407) 665-2300.
Seminole's Prevention Assistance Program is subject to funding availability — check current intake status before applying. Eligibility requires household gross income ≤120% AMI (the modeled $96,600 figure is the county's published 120% AMI limit for a 1-person household, effective 4/01/2026; the limit rises with household size — $110,400 for 2, $124,200 for 3), and the financial hardship must have begun within the last 90 days. The single-event assistance cap is the LOWER of 3 months of past-due rent or $5,000 — for tenants paying high rent in north Seminole, the $5,000 cap typically binds before the 3-month cap. Section 8, HUD, TBRA, and subsidized-housing recipients are not eligible. Apply through the Seminole County Participant Portal at seminolecountyfl.gov or call (407) 665-2300.
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
- Valid Florida ID or driver's license for all adults (18+)
- Birth certificates or U.S. passports for all household members
- Social Security cards for all household members
- Current, complete lease signed by all parties (or mortgage statement)
- All pages of the most recent bank/pay card statements for all household members
- 90 days of documented household income (pay stubs, Social Security award letter)
- Most recent utility bill (if applying for utility help)
- Documentation of the financial hardship that occurred within the last 90 days
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 407-665-2300
What to say when you call
"Hello, I'm calling to ask about Seminole County Prevention Assistance Program (Rent, Mortgage, Utilities). 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 valid Florida ID or driver's license for all adults (18+), birth certificates or U.S. passports for all household members, social Security cards for all household members — 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 assistance; households may receive help once every two years (elderly, fixed-income households once every 12 months)
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Discover my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.