Florida Government Assistance Programs – Help with Bills

Florida has many financial assistance programs that assist low-income residents. These assistance programs help struggling families maintain stability and prevent homelessness.  If you need emergency support, please check out the agencies below and contact them to see if you qualify.  

All programs are based on your family income.  Many programs depend on funding from a state, government, and charitable organizations.   If you contact an agency that is out of funding, they will refer you to other agencies, which we list below.

Florida Financial Assistance Programs

1.  Florida Lifeline Assistance

Many families work forty hours or more and still need assistance.  The Florida financial assistance program ‘Lifeline’ helps qualified consumers receive free cell phones

and services.  They also offer a discount on landline phone service each month.  You may qualify if you receive help from government assistance programs like SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, Free Lunch, and Section 8.

2.  Housing Assistance

If you face eviction, you can find support through Florida charities like the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities.  HUD can help with rent, utilities, security deposits, and transitional and temporary housing assistance.  Assistance is available based on available funds. To receive help, you must prove financial eligibility.

3.  Housing Vouchers

Vouchers for housing are available to eligible disabled, low-income, and seniors in Florida.  Housing Authority screens applicants who seek Section 8 Housing, including apartments, public housing, or private homes.   Once a tenant is approved, the Housing Authority signs the lease and pays the difference between the tenant’s pay and the apartment’s market rate.

4.  Florida Temporary Cash Assistance (TANF)

TANF is a government assistance program that provides financial assistance for families with children under  18 years old.  The help can continue if your child is over 19 and attending college.

TANF can continue until the family no longer needs help or within 60 months.  TCA is also available to expectant women who live alone or pregnant women living with parents or family. For more help, call  1-866-762-2237

5.  Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI)

This assistance is available to the elderly and disabled adults who are not U.S. citizens. As an immigrant, you must qualify for SSI or SSP Supplemental Security Income and State Supplementary Payment.

Medi-Cal and in-home care may also be available, so please request to be included if you need this help. You are eligible for CAPI if you are a non-citizen, or 65 years old and disabled, and qualify financially. 1-800-772-1213

Florida Utility Bill Assistance Programs

6.  Florida SNAP

The food stamp program is a state and local federal program for low-income families. If you are eligible for TANF, you also qualify for Food Stamps (more)

Florida Restaurants that Take SNAP

• KFC
• Taco Bell
• Pizza Hut
• Papa Murphy’s Pizza

7.  Florida Food Banks

Food banks help individuals and families who can not afford to buy food.  Community volunteers, corporations, and individuals support food banks.  Donation of canned foods and other foodstuffs to help the disadvantaged.    If you need help with food, click here to find help in your neighborhood.

8.  Head Start

This federal program helps Florida children from infancy to 5 years get ready for school by promoting basic education skills. The program helps low-income children develop social, emotional, and learning skills that help prepare them to succeed in school.  Head Start encourages parents to participate as their child’s primary educators.

The family must have a gross income at or below Federal Poverty Guidelines to qualify. Many Head Start programs also provide Early Head Start, which serves infants, toddlers, and pregnant women and their families with incomes below the Federal poverty level.

9.  Child Care Assistance

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services helps eligible adults find qualified childcare services and referrals to daycare providers that accept state subsidies in their area.  To enroll, you must be the parent or primary person responsible for a child under 19 or with a disability.  Call toll-free: 800-424-2246 (more)

10.  Florida Free School Breakfast/Lunch Program

The School Breakfast and Lunch Programs provide free discounted meals for financially qualified children. Meals must be balanced and meet government dietary guidelines.

11.  Florida KidCare

KidCare is low-cost health insurance for underinsured children in Florida. Go to the florida.gov site and print out and mail in an application. You must be a resident of Florida, a citizen, a legal alien, a U.S. national, or a permanent resident. The child must be under 19 or a legal guardian of a child under 19 years old that is not covered by insurance or Medicaid.  For more information.

12.  Florida LIHEAP

• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program in Florida grants local and non-profit agencies to help low-income Floridians with heating and cooling expenses.  A check is distributed annually to families who qualify for this help. They help in three areas:
• Home Energy Assistance
• Crisis assistance
• Bad Weather assistance

To receive help, you must reside in Florida and meet financial eligibility.  Call  (850) 717-8450 for more information.

13.  Charity Programs

Catholic Charities

This religious charity gives aid regardless of religion. On several aspects of human need. This organization works to provide access to healthcare, prevent homelessness and stamp our hunger.  Their immigrant and refugee program helps those seeking safe refuge. (Church Programs)

They help with:

• Groceries
• Utilities
• Parenting
• Senior Support
• Family Counseling
• Immigrant/refugee Aid
• Education

Catholic Charities Florida serves:  – Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia Counties.

Emergency Grants and Immediate Financial Assistance

In urgent need, non-profit organizations or the government can offer a one-time cash grant to help families facing difficulties like losing their housing, electricity, food, transportation, or other necessities. Some programs in Florida can also assist families dealing with household disasters such as floods, hurricanes, fires, or accidents. You may also be eligible for immediate hardship grants for car or home repairs. To learn more about these grants, click here.

Free Air Conditioners and Help with Electric Bills

In addition to county-level financial assistance programs, you can find a comprehensive list of Florida programs that provide utility and electricity bill assistance. Many companies support low-income and senior customers, including payment plans, free air conditioners, or repairs. For more information on Florida utility bill assistance, click here.

Self-Sufficiency and Referrals

People working but still struggling financially, senior citizens and low-income individuals can reach out to community action agencies throughout the state. These non-profit organizations can offer employment services, emergency aid, assistance in applying for government resources, and job training. Additionally, they may provide free cars or trucks to low-income people and bus passes for employment-related needs. To find more information about Florida community action agencies, click here.

ACCESS Florida Department of Children and Families Offices

The Florida Department of Children and Families has offices all over the state. They help people apply for ACCESS Florida benefits. You can also apply online from home. These offices assist people with low income, those who are unemployed, and families in need. You can contact them for information and referrals, too.

Some of the help you can get from ACCESS Florida includes Child Care, Adult Services, SNAP food stamps, cash assistance, and for people with developmental disabilities. They also help low-income families apply for SNAP benefits, disability assistance, and other programs. ACCESS Florida also takes applications for government healthcare programs like Medicaid and Medicare.

The Florida Department of Children and Families can offer ongoing help through the ACCESS Florida program if you qualify. They aim to help you become more stable over time. This may involve job training, vocational services, and more. ACCESS Florida is the main program that provides social services and case management, including free transportation or cars for those in need. You can also find information about getting a free car from a charity.