EHEAP Services
In 2015, ALPI announced a new partnership with Tampa’s Senior Connection Center, Inc. (SCC) in administering the Polk County Emergency Home Energy Assistance, for the Elderly Program (EHEAP). As a result of Polk County no longer administering the EHEAP program as of March 31, 2015, ALPI was specifically selected as a possible administering agency, especially in light of ALPI already administering the LIHEAP program. After much consideration, and with ALPI Board approval, ALPI officially became the administering agency for the EHEAP program in Polk County, Florida on April 1, 2015.,
ABOUT EHEAP: The Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) assists low-income households that include at least one person age 60 or older, when the households experience a home energy emergency. This program is 100-percent federally funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. EHEAP is a component of the federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which is administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
PAYMENTS/BENEFITS: Payments are for home heating or cooling and other emergency energy-related costs during the heating (October-March) and cooling (April-September) seasons. Eligible households may be provided one benefit per season. The maximum crisis benefit is $600.00 per household per season. Payments are made directly to the vendor for electricity, natural gas, propane, fuel oil, kerosene, or wood.
Program beneficiaries may receive vouchers to purchase blankets, portable heaters, and fans. The program can also help pay for repairs to existing heating or cooling equipment or for energy-related utility reconnection fees.
ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible for assistance, households must have all of the following:
- A heating or cooling home energy emergency.
- At least one individual age 60 or older in the home.
- A gross household annual income of no more than 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
For more information about the EHEAP program: please contact Cheryl Burnham, LIHEAP/Community Services Director
Phone: 863-956-3491, ext. 224 or Email: gro.ipla@mahnrubc.