Assistance programs in Florida.
Find information on programs that can provide financial help or grant money to help with bills in all cities and counties in Florida. There are churches, charities and government organizations that help with rent, utility bills, or that provide free food among other services. Or get free items for low-income families that can be combined with money for basic needs. Find resources below, including by county, that offer financial help in your local FL community with links to phone numbers.
Low-income families will also find free stuff in Florida. This can include gas vouchers or clothes for work, car loan payment assistance, or access to emergency housing. Or find information on free basic health care, either from the government or charities. The financial assistance programs to help with bills are wide ranging and offered to struggling families, single mothers in FL or seniors citizens among other people.
Grant money to help with bills, housing, and programs for general financial help in FL
The Florida Department of Children and Families, or DCF, works to protect the vulnerable, poor, low income and struggling households. Among other services, DCF will provide free government grant money for paying bills as well as employment resources, free gasoline cards, job training and more in partnership with the ACCESS Florida service. Apply to the support center, which can be reached at 850-300-4323 for benefits. They range from food stamps, cash assistance, affordable health insurance and other services. Read more on the ACCESS Florida benefit system.
- Senior citizens in Florida can get free money from the government. There are programs for older adults over the age of 55 as well as cash for 60 or 65 year old seniors. The government cash assistance is wide ranging for retirees and the elderly, with a focus on those who live on a fixed income. Locate free government money for seniors over 60.
- Additional Social Services and public assistance is offered, including in each FL county and city. Lower income families can take advantage of various local benefits to pay for basic needs. The government can provide funds for paying energy bills, food, housing costs, free transportation for Medicaid patients and other bills from ACCESS Florida. Also get help in finding a job. Read more Florida public assistance.
Financial resources help struggling tenants in FL. There are a number of local as well as statewide financial assistance programs for housing needs, including funds to help pay apartment or mobile home rent. The goal is to reduce evictions and homelessness or low-income or unemployed tenants. Find details on a wide variety of Florida rent assistance programs.
- Government and charity programs to stop evictions and help the homeless are available. Agencies across Florida provide support to those facing imminent eviction or the currently homeless. Grants from the HUD, the United Way and Continuum of Care program can assist with paying security deposits, coordinate legal aid, arrange transitional housing, or provide funds to pay rent in a crisis - even including storage costs. Continue Florida eviction prevention assistance.
- Housing vouchers for Florida rentals can help. Very low income families in Florida, including the disabled and senior citizens, can look into long term rental assistance from section 8 and HUD resources. Or get income or subsidized housing for seniors in FL on social security. HUD also offer support to ensure the availability of affordable apartments for the mentally ill, single parents or mothers. Some emergency housing or apartments are also offered with no waiting list, so can be immediately leased. Click section 8 Florida.
Electric bill assistance programs, even including a free air conditioner, are offered. In addition to the financial resources offered at the county level (listed below), find a comprehensive list of Florida utility and light bill assistance programs. Most companies offer help to low income and senior customers, including payment plans or a free AC (or repairs). Learn more on Florida utility bill assistance.
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will provide government grants to help low income families, seniors and the disabled pay their utility bills or a light deposit. The funds are to assist eligible low-income households in meeting the costs of home heating, summer AC and cooling bills. The funds are often combined with weatherization, which has a goal to lower the monthly energy burden on lower income households. More on the Florida LIHEAP.
Local community action agencies offer emergency grants. They are in every county and service as a form of Immediate financial assistance. The money can help people who face the loss of housing, electric, food, transportation or other basic needs. They can also can provide employment services, help in applying for government resources, and job training. Or get free, immediate hardship grants to pay for auto repairs or to repair a home. Click more Florida community action agencies.
- Other national and region grants also cover Florida Whether for home repairs, money to pay bills, educational needs or something else, funds are offered. There are also free cars or trucks for the low income as well as bus passes for employment reasons. Learn more on grants.
Food banks and local food pantries feed a large area. Low-income families, single moms and the poor can get free groceries from pantries and charity run distribution centers. Get hygiene supplies, free infant formula in FL, Meals on Wheels for senior citizens and more. There are also drive thru food banks. More on Florida food banks.
Phone bill help, or a free phone, is offered from the Florida Lifeline Program. Receive a free government paid for cell phone or discounted service. The Lifeline program, operated by the Florida Public Service Commission and phone companies, provides either a credit per month on a land line or it will provide free cellphone minutes, an iPhone in FL or data plans to qualified low income families. Cell phone companies offers this free service in Florida, with many seniors and disabled people getting a free cell phone. Call 1-800-342-3552, or read about Lifeline in Florida.
 Disability Benefits including grant money are paid out. The state of Florida offers several resources that are focused on meeting the needs of disabled people (adults or kids) with a low income. Some programs can provide financial aid while others offer home care, equipment, free transportation to a medical appointment or additional support. A few different agencies can provide assistance with applying for disability and more information. Find financial help for the disabled people from Florida agencies.
Free Legal Aid services are offered statewide, including over the phone. Find information on non-profit law firms, volunteers and free attorneys for the low-income in Florida. Lawyers provide free civil legal services, consultations and counseling for low to moderate income families as well as senior citizens throughout the state. Locate a free Florida based lawyer.
Emergency help from the Salvation Army is wide ranging. As a last resort, low-income families in crisis will get assistance with bills or even free stuff. Get free vouchers to pay for gas or a hotel room, or get clothes, furniture, or some money to help pay electric bills or housing costs. Some centers also work with dealerships to provide free cars to the low-income or unemployed in FL. Other support is given from the Salvation Army financial assistance in Florida.
Florida mortgage relief can stop a foreclosure. The state government has programs that provide help with mortgage payments, often in partnership with local counties. Local town and county resources, non-profits, and the government have partnered together on these services More details on mortgage assistance programs in Florida.
Subsidies to pay for child care help working parents. Government assistance in Florida, including the School Readiness Program, can help families pay a portion of their child care costs. Financial help, or free or cheap day care, is provided by the state for parents that are working, in job training, or seeking employment. Continue with child care assistance in Florida.
Transportation programs in Florida include everything from a free vehicle for low-income families or veterans as well as interest free loans to pay for a car or truck and repairs. Both local and statewide organizations work to help people in FL get transportation for employment reasons. Find a free car in Florida.
Local United Ways also help struggling people. There are other resources too, ranging from free government grant money to pay bills to transportation, food and more. The United Way of FL, which can be reached at 850-488-8287, as well as other organizations are available for free referrals including from 211.
Assistance for Seniors from Agency on Aging and The Florida Department of Elder of Affairs are for people 55 and older. Resources are available for government health insurance, utility bills, food, transportation, Meals on Wheels and much more. Get details on various programs for older adults in Florida. Find help from the Agency on Aging in Florida.
- Many retirees also live in Florida and need extra income. They often need money from a part time or work from home job to make ends meet. Locate stress free work from home jobs, gig positions, charities, and assistance for making extra funds. Find stress free jobs for seniors.
- Affordable housing, assistance living, and apartments are also available for senior citizens in FL. They can be HUD approved, rent subsidized, provided by charities, or arranged by Agency on Aging Centers. More on low income senior housing for rent.
Florida employment resources can help the unemployed or underemployed (such as part time workers) find a job near them (or online) or gain new skills. Government resources will provide training, job search assistance, free use of computers or give out a tablet and more to residents. Continue with Florida job training programs.
Debt reduction, credit repair services and free counseling in Florida is available. Find information on, and a listing of, free government certified non-profit credit and debt counseling agencies. Various organizations offer assistance in dealing with debts, help people pay credit cards and assist with FICO credit repair needs. Find relief from medical or hospital bills too. More on Florida debt and credit counseling.
Help in local Florida cities and counties
Find local financial resources, agencies that provide free items and more in FL. Select a county and/or city below. As there are many other charities and government agencies to contact for help.
Alachua County and Newberry
Bay County (Panama City)
Bradford County (Starke)
Brevard County (Titusville)
Broward County (Fort Lauderdale)
Calhoun County (Blountstown)
Charlotte County (Punta Gorda)
Citrus County (Inverness)
Clay County (Green Cove Springs)
Collier County (Naples)
Columbia County (Lake City)
Dade County (Miami)
Dixie County (Cross City)
Duval County (Jacksonville)
Escambia County (Pensacola)
Flagler County (Bunnell)
Franklin County (Apalachicola)
Gadsen County (Quincy)
Gilchrest County (Trenton)
Hamilton County (Jasper)
Hernando County (Brooksville)
Highlands County (Sebring)
Hillsborough County (Tampa Bay)
Holmes County (Bonifay)
Indian River County (Vero Beach)
Jackson County (Marianna)
Lafayette County (Mayo)
Lake County (Tavares)
Lee County (Fort Myers)
Leon County (Tallahassee)
Levy County (Bronson)
Madison County
Marion County (Ocala)
Manatee County (Bradenton)
Martin County (Stuart)
Monroe County (Key West)
Nassau County (Fernandina Beach)
Okaloosa County (Crestview)
Orange County (Orlando)
Osceola County (Kissimmee)
Palm Beach County (West Palm Beach)
Pasco County (Dade City)
Pinellas County (Clearwater)
Polk County (Bartow)
Putnam County (Palatka)
Santa Rosa County (Milton)
Sarasota County
Seminole County (Sanford)
St. Johns County (St. Augustine)
St. Lucie County (Fort Pierce)
Sumter County (Bushnell)
Suwannee County (Live Oak)
Taylor County (Perry)
Union County (Lake Butler)
Volusia County (DeLand)
Walton County (Defuniak Springs)
Washington County (Chipley)
Interested in what others are saying about Florida programs or want to ask a question? Visit our local FL community forum. People from all across the state share tips on resources, use the forum to post their experiences and share information.
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