Florida Utility Bill Assistance Programs - FPL Care to Share

I'm Rachelle, a.k.a "TheMotleyChick," a lover of eclectic but ordinary people, situations & topics and I love sharing helpful resources.

If you need Florida utility bill assistance, and you reside within the Florida Power and Light (FPL) service area, you might be in luck.

FPL provides utility bill payment assistance through its FPL Care to Share program.

Under the FPL Care to Share Program, you may be eligible to receive up to $500 in financial assistance to pay off your Florida Power bill.

In order to qualify for the program, you must have experienced some sort of financial hardship that prevented you from paying your utility bill.

Some examples of a qualifying financial hardship include the following: a job loss/layoff, unexpected car repair bill, unexpected medical bill, etc.

If you qualify for the program, you may receive the assistance only once within a 12 month period.

You do not necessarily need to be a low income family or individual to qualify for the program, but you may need to be able to provide proof of your income by some participating agencies.

Each agency works a little differently, keep reading & I will explain how the agencies work in conjunction with the program.

Where Does the Money Come From?

The program is funded by FPL corporate contributions, employee contributions and customer donations.

After the money is contributed, it is handed off to local area non-profit social service agencies and community action organizations so that they can actually administer the program.

In order to apply to receive the Florida utility bill assistance funds, you will have to contact the non-profit agency that administers the FPL Care to Share program in your area.

Of course, you will have to be a Florida Power and Light Customer (I know that goes without saying for most people, but one never knows...).

PARTICIPATING NON-PROFIT PARTNER AGENCIES

You will need to contact one of the agencies listed below in order to apply for Florida utility bill assistance through the FPL Care to Share Program.North Florida & Central Florida Counties

PAY IT FORWARD

When you get back up on your feet again, it is a good idea to pay it forward (give back) by donating to the program.

FPL provides a pain-free way to donate...there is a space on your FPL bill which will allow you to indicate the amount of money you would like to donate to the program -

If you use online bill payment, you can also make a donation on your electonic bill as well.

FPL will allocate the funds to the local participating agencies, who will in turn, use the funds to help out others who need Florida utility bill assistance.

FPL Care to Share Partner Agencies in Florida

• Florida Power & Light Assistance & Informative Services
  Florida Power and Light (FPL) has many programs offering a variety of assistance and information services for the customer in need. Through a partnership between FPL and community agencies, eligible customers can receive energy assistance funding.
• Lee County Florida Emergency Assistance
  Social Services Agency
• DeSoto - Social Services
  DeSoto County Florida Board of County Commissioners utility assistance programs.
• St. Vincent dePaul USA
  Finding local Assistance and Services with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
• Indian River County Human Services
  Utility Assistance and other Financial Assistance programs
• Palatka Christian Service Center
  
• Local Agency Providers - Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program - Florida Department of Community
  Florida Department of Community Affairs - To inquire about assistance from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, locate the county in which you live and contact the local provider at the telephone number listed.
• The Salvation Army: Home
  Enter your zip code for the FPL Care to Share utility assistance program nearest you.

Comments

michelle perez on December 06, 2013:

need help with light bill