Federally-funded program helps Central Florida seniors pay their overdue energy bills

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Thousands of seniors across four Central Florida counties are getting help to pay their overdue energy bills as part of changes to a federally funded relief program.

The expansion not only helps those who qualify, but their families as well.

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Brevard County senior Vilinie Brown, 67, recently learned she qualifies for the Federal Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program, or E-HEAP.

Eligible residents 60 and over can now receive up to $3,500 for emergency assistance with energy bills and fees, repairs, equipment, or even temporary shelter.

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Karla Radka, president of the Senior Resource Alliance, one of the partner agencies overseeing E-HEAP applications in Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Brevard counties, said the need for assistance is great and constant.

The current expansion now allows seniors to be considered whose income may have disqualified them before. Those living in a household with a family member who receives income assistance can now also apply.

Energy bills also now don’t have to be in the senior’s name, which is often the case in multigenerational families.

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“Kids doing homework, grandparents reading to children, so it’s just so important just to maintain that level of normalcy and this program. If it can help at the most basic level, it’s essential for us,” Radka said.

“It’s very nice to know there’s help out there when you need help,” Brown said.

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Seniors who live in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, or Brevard counties interested in assistance from the program can contact Senior Resource Alliance at 407- 514-1804 or click here.