The Community Action and Human Services Department will provide Home Energy Bill Assistance to eligible Miami-Dade County residents effected by COVID-19

MIAMI ( July 21, 2020 ) —

The Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD) through the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is now providing COVID-19 Crisis Assistance to qualified Miami-Dade County residents who are experiencing a hardship in paying their home energy bill due to the pandemic.

“CAHSD has administered the LIHEAP program for more than 30 years, providing financial relief to low-income households to ease the energy burden” said Lucia Davis-Raiford, CAHSD Director.

LIHEAP is a federally funded program that provides assistance to low-income households to resolve or mitigate a home energy crisis, including electricity disconnection. CAHSD works closely with Florida Power & Light and the City of Homestead to pay the electric bills for households that are approved. During the last program year, more than 11,300 households received crisis assistance. Through CARES Act funding allocated to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the County received $8.1 million to assist impacted households.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez said, “This funding allocation further strengthens the County’s response to meeting the basic needs of our residents during this unprecedented time.”

The LIHEAP COVID-19 crisis assistance provides eligible households with up to $2,000 within a 12-month period. Eligibility criteria includes:

Must be a Miami-Dade County resident
Must be a U.S. citizen or have legal permanent resident status
Must be 18 or older and possess a valid State of Florida ID
Social Security Card for all household members
Must have final notice or past due notice from electricity provider, or be disconnected
Gross countable income of all household members may not exceed 150% of the current federal poverty guidelines. Click here to learn more.

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

Residents can apply by visiting the County’s website at www.miamidade.gov/socialservices to complete the application online or download the application and either mail it to one of the 12 CAHSD Community Resource Centers or place it in the secured drop box located in front of the 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.