Help To Pay Light Bill In Florida

Living in the Sunshine State comes with year-round air conditioning costs. As a result many Floridians struggle to pay their electric bills, especially during the hot summer months. Thankfully, there are programs available to help Florida residents pay their light bills. This article will explain who offers help, eligibility requirements, and how to apply for assistance.

Understanding Your Florida Electric Bill

In Florida most residents get their electricity from one of four major utility companies

• Florida Power & Light (FPL)
• Duke Energy
• Tampa Electric
• Gulf Power

These regulated electric companies serve most of the state. Municipalities like Orlando, Tallahassee, and Lakeland have city-run utilities. Rural electric cooperatives serve less populated areas.

No matter your provider, electricity rates and billing processes are similar across Florida. Your monthly bill has a basic customer charge and a kilowatt-hour charge based on usage. The bill may also include fuel charges, environmental costs, franchise fees, and taxes.

Electric rates vary by provider and location but average around 12 cents per kWh in Florida. A typical household uses 1000-1500 kWh per month, making the average bill $120-$180. Rates and usage tend to be higher in summer when air conditioning is heavily used.

If you’re struggling to pay your electric bill in Florida, review the bill details first. See if you qualify for any available discounts. Then, learn about assistance programs offered by the government, utilities, and charities.

Florida Public Service Commission (PSC)

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) regulates major electric utilities in the state. While they don’t administer assistance programs directly, the PSC can point consumers to available help.

If you’re facing electric service disconnection, contact the PSC at 1-800-342-3552. They can provide information on the following programs:

• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – Federally-funded program providing bill payment assistance, crisis assistance, and weatherization services. Households earning up to 150% of poverty guidelines qualify.

• Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly (EHEAP) – Bill payment assistance for households with at least one person age 60 or older. Income limits are 60% of state median income.

• Florida Energy Assistance Program – State program supplementing LIHEAP services. Offers bill payment assistance, crisis assistance, and weatherization.

• Local Energy Assistance – Administered by community organizations like United Way and Salvation Army. Provides emergency bill payment assistance.

The PSC can provide contact information for your local LIHEAP and utility assistance providers. Contact them before your service is disconnected.

Utility Company Programs

Florida’s major electric utilities offer assistance programs to customers facing disconnection. Eligibility and benefits vary, but commonly include:

• Bill payment assistance
• Payment plan extensions
• Late fee and deposit waivers
• Free energy audits and efficiency upgrades
• Special discounts for seniors and military veterans

Contact your electric provider directly to learn about available assistance options. Here are some of the major programs:

Florida Power & Light (FPL)

• Care to Share – Provides up to $500 in bill payment assistance to income-qualified households once per 12-month period.

TECO (Tampa Electric)

• Project Share – Helps pay energy bills through the Salvation Army. Call United Way 211 to apply.

• Neighborhood Weatherization – Provides free energy efficiency upgrades to income-qualified households.

Duke Energy

• Share the Light Fund – Customer donations help pay bills for struggling households.

• Energy Neighbor Fund – Provides emergency energy assistance through local non-profit agencies.

Gulf Power

• Project Share – Pay bill assistance administered through Salvation Army offices.

JEA (Jacksonville)

• Neighbor to Neighbor Program – Emergency bill assistance for seniors, disabled, and low-income households. Call United Way 211 to apply.

Government Assistance Programs

Several government-funded programs provide help paying electric bills in Florida. Here are some of the main options:

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP is federally-funded and provides the following assistance:

• Bill payment assistance – Up to $400/year for heating bills and $175/year for cooling bills.

• Crisis assistance – Up to $600 for households facing disconnection or loss of service.

• Weatherization – Free home energy audits, repairs, and upgrades like insulation and AC tune-ups.

To qualify for LIHEAP in Florida:

• Household income must be below 150% of federal poverty level
• Priority given to seniors, families with children, and disabled

Apply through your local LIHEAP provider.

Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly (EHEAP)

EHEAP provides bill payment assistance to low-income seniors in Florida. To qualify:

• At least one household member must be age 60 or older
• Household income below 60% of state median income
• Not eligible for LIHEAP

Benefits include up to $600 in bill payment assistance. Apply through your local EHEAP provider.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Florida’s TANF program can provide emergency bill payment assistance for households with children. Benefits are administered on a case-by-case basis by regional TANF providers.

Charitable Assistance Programs

When government and utility programs won’t cover the full bill, charitable organizations can provide additional assistance:

• United Way – Call 211 to apply for emergency energy assistance funds from groups like Salvation Army and Catholic Charities.

• Local Churches – Many churches offer one-time emergency bill assistance. Call around for help.

• Utility Company Funds – Most utilities have customer-funded bill assistance programs. Gulf Power Project Share and JEA Neighbor to Neighbor are examples.

These charitable sources should be considered last resorts. Their funds are limited and eligibility requirements are strict. But they can help in a crisis situation.

Apply for Assistance to Avoid Disconnection

Having your lights shut off creates health and safety issues. Do everything possible to keep your electric service active while facing a temporary hardship. Here are some final tips:

• Contact your utility immediately if you anticipate difficulty paying a bill. Set up a payment plan.

• Apply for LIHEAP, EHEAP and utility bill assistance programs as early as possible.

• Call 2-1-1 to be referred to charitable organizations offering emergency energy assistance.

• Prioritize paying your utility bill when facing financial hardship. You can find food and housing assistance more easily.

• Practice energy conservation to lower your bill. Turn up the thermostat, switch to LEDs, unplug devices, etc.

With some planning and perseverance, you can find assistance to pay your electric bill in Florida. Reach out early, be persistent, and take advantage of all available help so you can keep the lights on.