Last updated: May 20, 2026
Bottom line
If you are behind on an electric, gas, propane, or home fuel bill in Florida, start with LIHEAP, your utility company, and 211. Florida LIHEAP can help with home heating and cooling costs when you qualify, and approved payments usually go straight to the utility account. It does not cover every bill, and funds can run out by county.
Do not wait until the day of shutoff. Call your utility first, ask for a payment arrangement, then apply through Florida LIHEAP or the local LIHEAP office for your county. If you are not sure where to go, contact Florida 211.
This guide is for utility help. If your whole budget is short, also see Florida help guide, emergency help, and bill help.
If shutoff is close
If you have a final notice, disconnection date, or already lost service, do these steps today:
- Call the utility and ask for a payment plan, extension, or hold while you seek an agency pledge.
- Ask the utility whether it has a hardship fund, medical-essential account process, budget billing, or local agency partners.
- Apply for LIHEAP or crisis help through your county provider. Save the confirmation number.
- Dial 2-1-1 and ask for utility pledges, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Community Action, and county emergency funds.
- If the utility is regulated by the Florida Public Service Commission and you have an unresolved billing or shutoff dispute, use the PSC complaint page.
If someone in your home uses electric medical equipment, ask the utility for its medically essential service form right away. Florida law has special rules for medically essential electric service, but it does not erase the bill or promise that power can never go out.
Where to start
Florida utility help is local. The right office depends on your county, your utility company, your age, your income, whether you have a shutoff notice, and whether anyone in your home has a medical need for power.
You have a shutoff notice
Call your utility and county LIHEAP provider. Ask for crisis processing, a hold, and a pledge process.
You are behind, but not shut off
Apply for regular LIHEAP, ask for budget billing, and call 211 for local charities before the bill becomes a final notice.
You need water help
LIHEAP is for home energy, not water or sewer. Call your water utility for hardship plans and ask 211 for local funds.
Your bill stays high
Ask about weatherization, energy audits, and utility conservation programs so the next bills are easier to manage.
When you call, be direct: “I am a single parent, I have a utility shutoff risk, and I need to know every program or payment option available before service is disconnected.”
Quick help table
| Need | Start here | What to ask | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric or gas bill | County LIHEAP provider | Ask for regular or crisis help. | Funding and intake rules vary by county. |
| Final notice | Your utility company | Ask for a hold and pledge instructions. | A promise to apply is not the same as a posted payment. |
| Senior in home | Florida EHEAP | Ask if age 60+ crisis help is available. | The household must have an energy emergency. |
| Medical equipment | Utility medical program | Ask for medical-essential forms. | You still need a backup plan and payments. |
| Water or sewer bill | Water department | Ask for hardship plans and leak review. | The old federal water aid program is no longer taking new applications. |
| Phone or internet | Lifeline program | Ask if you qualify through income, SNAP, Medicaid, or another program. | The discount is limited and only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household. |
Florida LIHEAP
LIHEAP stands for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. In Florida, it helps income-qualified households with home heating and cooling costs. FloridaCommerce funds local providers, and those providers handle applications in the counties they serve.
You may be able to qualify if your household income is within the program limit, you are responsible for the home energy bill, you live in Florida, and at least one person in the household meets the citizenship or qualified immigration status rule. The LIHEAP portal also says some households may qualify through SNAP, TANF, or SSI. If you already receive food help, cash help, or SSI, still ask the LIHEAP office what proof it needs.
LIHEAP can help with electric, gas, propane, wood, coal, or other refillable home fuel costs. It may help with past-due energy bills, deposits, connection or restore fees, late fees, and disconnection fees when allowed. It does not cover water, sewer, internet, telephone, meter tampering fees, or returned-check fees.
Apply online when your county uses the statewide portal, or contact the county provider listed by FloridaCommerce. If the portal is paused or your county handles intake another way, call the provider and ask for the next appointment method. For food and cash support that can free up money for bills, see Florida SNAP help and Florida TANF help.
Important tip
Ask whether your case is “regular,” “crisis,” or “disconnect.” If you have a shutoff notice, say the shutoff date out loud and ask whether the agency can send a pledge to your utility before that date.
Shutoff rules and medical-essential accounts
Florida has special rules for public utility customers who need electric service for life-sustaining medical equipment. The state’s medical essential law says the customer must complete the utility’s forms and get a physician certification. The certification must be renewed, and the utility may still disconnect in some situations, including emergencies. It is not a guarantee of uninterrupted power.
If you have oxygen, dialysis equipment, a feeding pump, a heart monitor, or another device that needs power, call the utility today and ask for the medical-essential or medical alert program. Also ask your county emergency management office about special needs registry options before hurricane season.
The Florida Public Service Commission can help with many unresolved disputes involving regulated electric, gas, telephone, water, or wastewater utilities. It may not regulate every city utility or co-op the same way. If your utility is municipal or a co-op, ask for the written tariff, a supervisor review, and the city or board complaint path.
Water and sewer bill help
Water help is more local than electric help. The temporary federal Low Income Household Water Assistance Program helped with water and wastewater bills, but the Florida LIHWAP site says it is no longer accepting new applications. It directs residents to contact their local water utility or local Community Action agency. You can check the Florida LIHWAP site for the current notice.
Call your water department and ask about payment plans, leak adjustments, hardship programs, senior or disability programs, and whether a charity can pledge funds. Some cities have their own programs. For example, the City of Tampa lists a Tampa CAP program that can waive monthly water and wastewater base charges for qualifying account holders.
If your water bill is high because of a leak, ask for a leak review before you agree to a plan you cannot afford. Keep repair receipts, photos, plumber notes, and meter readings.
Major utility company programs
Most large utilities list payment help, local agencies, medical programs, and budget billing on their own sites. Use your utility’s page after you call customer service, not instead of calling. Ask what the company can do today and what local agency can send a pledge.
| Utility or area | Program path | What it may help with |
|---|---|---|
| FPL | FPL county help | County-by-county agency referrals, LIHEAP, EHEAP, and Care To Share partners. |
| Duke Energy Florida | Duke bill help | Payment assistance finder, LIHEAP, Share the Light, installments, and short extensions. |
| Tampa Electric | TECO Share | Help through third-party administrators, based on eligibility and available funds. |
| Orlando Utilities Commission | OUC Project CARE | One-time utility help for eligible customers and medical alert information. |
| Miami-Dade | Miami-Dade light help | County light bill assistance, Care to Share, and energy help for households with an older adult. |
If your utility is not listed, look at your bill for the exact company name. Then search the company site for “payment assistance,” “hardship,” “medical,” “budget billing,” and “agency pledge.”
Documents to gather before you apply
Missing documents are one of the most common reasons an application stalls. Take clear photos or scans before you start. Keep a folder on your phone so you can upload the same items to LIHEAP, 211 referrals, charities, or your utility.
| Document | Why it matters | If you do not have it |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID | Shows who is applying. | Ask if another government ID is accepted. |
| Utility bill | Shows account number, service address, and amount due. | Download it from your online account or ask customer service to email it. |
| Shutoff notice | Shows crisis status and deadline. | Ask the utility for a final notice copy. |
| Income proof | Shows wages, benefits, child support, or other household income. | Ask for a self-employment or zero-income form if needed. |
| Household proof | Shows who lives in the home. | Ask if school, benefit, lease, or medical records can help. |
| Lease or housing proof | Shows responsibility for utilities when the bill is not in your name. | Ask your landlord for a written utility statement. |
If you also need help with rent, housing, or child care while you handle utility bills, see Florida housing help and Florida child care.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting too long: A charity or LIHEAP pledge may not post before the shutoff date if you start late.
- Only applying online: If the portal is closed, call your county provider and 211.
- Assuming water is covered: LIHEAP is for energy bills, not water, sewer, phone, or internet.
- Ignoring utility calls: Keep answering, even if you cannot pay the full amount. Ask for written options.
- Missing recertification: Medical-essential accounts and some assistance programs need updated forms.
- Not saving proof: Save screenshots, call dates, names, case numbers, and pledge confirmations.
If you are denied, delayed, or ignored
Ask for the reason in writing. If the problem is missing proof, ask exactly what document can fix it. If income is wrong, ask how to correct it. If funding is gone, ask when the next intake opens and which agency can help now.
If your utility dispute involves a wrong bill, wrong meter, bad deposit charge, or disconnection notice you believe is not allowed, ask the company for a supervisor review. If it is a regulated utility and the problem is not fixed, contact the PSC. For legal problems, landlord shutoff threats, or unsafe housing, use Florida legal help.
Backup options when utility funds are not enough
Utility aid often covers only part of the bill. Use these backup paths while your application is pending:
- Ask your utility for budget billing, a short extension, a deposit installment plan, or an agency pledge hold.
- Call 211 and ask for Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, Jewish Family Services, St. Vincent de Paul, and county emergency funds near your ZIP code.
- Apply for the weatherization program if your home has high energy use and you meet income rules.
- Ask your child’s school social worker or family liaison about emergency community funds.
- If food costs are taking money from utilities, check Florida WIC and local pantries.
- For medical, disability, or special needs concerns, see disability support and health care help.
- For transportation to appointments, see transportation help.
Local resources to check
Florida has many county and city programs that change by funding year. Start with official sources, then ask 211 for nonprofits that serve your ZIP code. If you need a broader local search plan, use local resource guide and community support.
If your situation involves domestic violence, stalking, or a partner controlling money or utility service, use safer help paths and do not share plans with the unsafe person. For Florida safety resources, see domestic violence help.
Phone scripts
Script 1: Calling the utility
“Hi, my name is ____. I am calling about account number ____. I am a single parent and I have a shutoff notice dated ____. I can pay ____ today. Can you check every option for a payment arrangement, extension, agency pledge hold, hardship fund, medical-essential program, or budget billing?”
Script 2: Calling LIHEAP
“Hi, I live in ____ County and need help with an energy bill. My shutoff date is ____. Do you handle LIHEAP for my county? Is crisis help open? What documents do I need, and can you send a pledge to my utility if I qualify?”
Script 3: Calling 211
“I need utility help in ZIP code ____. I already called my utility and LIHEAP. Can you check for agencies that can pledge funds, help with water, or help with food so I can keep my utilities on?”
Script 4: Calling a water department
“I am behind on my water bill and need to avoid shutoff. Do you have a hardship plan, leak adjustment, payment arrangement, senior or disability program, or a local charity that can make a pledge?”
Resumen en español
Si vive en Florida y no puede pagar la luz, gas o combustible del hogar, llame primero a la compañía de servicios. Pida un plan de pago, una extensión y ayuda por crisis. Después solicite LIHEAP con la agencia de su condado. Si no sabe a dónde llamar, marque 2-1-1.
LIHEAP ayuda con energía del hogar, pero normalmente no paga agua, alcantarillado, teléfono o internet. Para agua, llame al departamento local de agua y pregunte por planes de pago o ayuda por dificultad. Si alguien en la casa usa equipo médico eléctrico, pida el formulario de servicio médico esencial.
FAQ
Can single mothers get LIHEAP in Florida?
Yes, single mothers can apply if the household meets Florida LIHEAP rules. Eligibility depends on income, responsibility for the energy bill, Florida residency, household status rules, funding, and documents.
Does Florida LIHEAP pay the bill to me?
Usually no. Approved LIHEAP payments are normally made to the utility or fuel vendor for your account. You may still owe part of the bill if the award does not cover the full balance.
Can LIHEAP stop a shutoff?
It may help if crisis funds are available and the agency can send a pledge in time. Call your utility first and ask for a hold while your LIHEAP or charity application is reviewed.
Does LIHEAP help with water bills in Florida?
No. Florida LIHEAP is for home energy costs. For water or sewer bills, call your water utility, ask about hardship plans, and contact 211 for local referrals.
What if I have medical equipment that needs power?
Call your utility and ask for its medically essential or medical alert program. You will likely need a physician form. These programs add protections, but they do not erase the bill or guarantee power during outages.
Where can I get help if LIHEAP funds are closed?
Call 211, your utility company, Community Action agency, county human services office, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and other local nonprofits. Ask your utility for a payment arrangement while you look for help.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 20, 2026, next review August 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.