Resources for Families
Housing & Utilities
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The Emergency Financial Assistance for Housing Program (EFAHP) provides a one-time payment of up to $400 to families who are totally without shelter or face the loss of shelter because of non-payment of rent or mortgage. It also helps those families who have had household disasters such as fire, flood, or other accidents.
Eligibility requirements include:
- The household must have at least one child under the age of 18.
- The household must live in Florida, or be working or looking for work in Florida.
- At least one child or caretaker in the home must be a U. S. citizen or legal resident.
- You must have proof of your housing emergency, for example, a copy of a court ordered eviction or foreclosure notice. In the event of a natural disaster such as fire or flood, the EFAHP office can make a telephone call to the sheriff's office, fire department, Department of Children and Families' office, etc., if you provide us with a phone number.
- If you do not have enough money in your checking/savings accounts, or the cash to pay your rent or mortgage.
- The total household income is compared to the State of Florida's need standard to decide whether the household is eligible.
For more income eligibility information and an application form, go to:
http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/homelessness/efahp.shtml.
Affordable Apartments (HUD): Visit Website »
The government gives funds directly to apartment owners, who lower the rents they charge low-income tenants. You can find low-rent apartments for senior citizens and people with disabilities, as well as for families and individuals at this online database.
Public Housing Authorities: Visit Website »
You can contact your local Public Housing Authority (PHA) to get more information about low-rent housing, Section 8 housing, and housing choice vouchers.
Find your local PHA here: http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/pha/contacts/states/fl.cfm (list sorted by city).
Housing Choice Vouchers: Visit Website »
The Housing Choice Voucher Program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market.
Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments.
Internet Essentials (by Comcast)
Internet Essentials provides low-cost internet service, affordable computers and digital literacy training to households with children who qualify
for free lunch under the National School Lunch Program.
More Details:
- Fast, home Internet service for just $9.95 a month + tax.
- No price increases, activation or equipment rental fees while in the program.
- A low-cost home computer available at initial enrollment for just $149.99 + tax.
- Free Internet training—in print, online and in person.
How to Qualify:
- Be located where Comcast offers Internet service
- Have at least one child receiving free school lunches through the National School Lunch Program
- Have not subscribed to Comcast Internet service within the last 90 days
- Not have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment
How to apply:
- Call 1-855-8-INTERNET (1-855-846-8376) to request an application
- Comcast will mail you an application. Complete and return it, along with lunch program documents from your child's school
- Comcast will notify you by mail about the status of your application. Allow 7-10 days for a response
Cost:
$9.95 a month for Internet service and a low-cost computer
Apply in English by calling 1-855-8-INTERNET (1-855-846-8376) or Apply in Espanol by calling 1-855-765-6995. Por aplicar en español, llame
al 1-855-765-6995. Log on to learn more at www.InternetEssentials.com for English
or Para más información, visite www.InternetBasico.com.
Link-Up Florida gives a 50% rebate in the telephone hook-up charge (up to $30.00). Lifeline Assistance gives $13.50 credit per month on local phone bills. Over a year's time, that is a savings of $162.00. You can receive these benefits if you are enrolled in one of the programs listed below or meet the income guidelines.
- Temporary Cash Assistance
- Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
- National School Lunch (NSL) Program's free lunch program
To find out how to sign up, go to:
http://www.floridapsc.com/utilities/telecomm/lifeline/engbrochure.aspx.
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides assistance to eligible low-income households in meeting the costs of home heating and cooling. The majority of the funds are used for utility payment assistance.
To see if your household is eligible for this program, review the income limits at:
http://www.floridacommunitydevelopment.org/liheap/incomelimits.cfm.
Then find the local agency where you can apply by downloading:
Community Assistance Contact List (PDF file).
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