Energy Assistance Available For Manatee Low-Income Seniors

BRADENTON, FL – Twice a year, Manatee County offers assistance to its low-income seniors help pay their energy bills. These residents can apply now to receive assistance will funds remain.

Manatee County is accepting applications for the Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly grant. It offers financial help to residents age 60 and older who have an economic hardship.

Manatee County may approve up to $600 in state grant assistance for a household twice per year, said Tracie Adams, Manatee’s human services manager. Assistance is available to a household once during the cooling season (April 1 through Sept. 30) and again during the heating season (Oct. 1 through March 1).

“These are crisis benefits – you’re in jeopardy of having your power turned off or need it turned back on,” Adams said. “Recipients must have a final notice, past due amount or have their power disconnected in order to get the financial assistance.”

Manatee County will have about $4,100 per month to distribute to customers in need from April 1 through March 31, 2018. The program is open to Florida Power & Light and Peace River Electric Cooperative customers, whether they live in unincorporated Manatee County or one of the county’s municipalities.

To be eligible for assistance, applicants must:

• Be a part of a household with at least one person age 60 or older in the home
• Have a documented heating or cooling emergency
• Earn a gross household annual income equal or less than 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. That means a one-person household could have an income of $17,820 or less to be eligible. A two-person home must show an income of less than $24,030. These amounts are subject to change based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

For more information or to make an appointment for assistance, call the Manatee County Community Services Department at (941) 749-3030.

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