Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services Department Provides Light Bill Assistance to Eligible Households

MIAMI ( May 18, 2021 ) —

Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD) offers crisis assistance to qualified Miami-Dade County residents unable to pay their home energy bill. Since April 2021, over 30,802 households have received more than $15.7 million in assistance through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

“This program connects eligible, low-income households with critical relief to pay their home energy bills, and I’m proud that we have been able to distribute millions of dollars in assistance throughout the hardship of the last year,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Residents who are facing an energy emergency are encouraged to apply for this lifeline by contacting one of the 12 CAHSD Community Resource Centers for immediate assistance.”

CAHSD has administered the federally-funded LIHEAP program for more than 31 years. “This program assists eligible, low-income households resolve or mitigate a home energy crisis, including electricity disconnection,” said CAHSD Interim Director Annika Holder. “Residents who are facing an energy emergency are encouraged to apply for this lifeline by contacting one of the 12 CAHSD Community Resource Centers for immediate assistance,” she added. Eligible households can receive up to $4,000 in assistance within a 12-month period. Payments are made directly to the local utility providers.

Applicants must:

Be a Miami-Dade County resident
Be a U.S. citizen or have legal permanent resident status
Be 18 or older and possess a valid State of Florida ID
Provide Social Security Cards for each member of the household
Have final notice or past due notice from electricity provider, or be disconnected
Prove that Gross household income does not exceed 150% of the current federal poverty guidelines. Click here to learn more.

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150% OF THE 2020 FEDERAL POVERTY INCOME GUIDELINES

PEOPLE IN THE HOUSEHOLD	150%
1	$19,140
2	$25,860
3	$32,580
4	$39,300
5	$46,020
6	$52,740
7	$59,460
8	$66,180
For each additional person in the household with more than 8 people, add:	$6,720

Categorically eligible households include those receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Income (SSI), or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and may automatically qualify.

CAHSD also administers the Florida Power & Light (FPL) Care to Share program in Miami-Dade County. Care to Share is funded via contributions received from FPL customers, employees and stakeholders to assist FPL customers experiencing a financial crisis.

Residents can apply by calling 786-469-4640 or visiting: www.miamidade.gov/socialservices to download or complete the application online. Applications can be deposited in the secured drop box located in the front entrance at any of CAHSD’s 12 Community Resource Centers.

CAHSD is the largest provider of comprehensive social services in Miami-Dade County. For more information about the LIHEAP program or to learn more about the Miami-Dade Community Action and Human Services Department programs, please call 786-469-4600 or visit us on the web at www.miamidade.gov/socialservices.

CAHSD’s mission is to empower families, individuals, and communities through the provision of comprehensive social services. It is the largest provider of comprehensive social services in Miami-Dade County.