Florida Power & Light, the state's largest electric utility company, this week announced senior citizens who previously received assistance through the state's Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly
Program can now access a one-time $200 credit through FPL's Saving Steps initiative.
"Eligible senior customers don't have to do anything at this point to receive the credit. They're already qualified because the State of Florida's EHEAP requirements are more stringent than the United Way ALICE criteria FPL uses to qualify for Saving Steps," said Francine Freitas, a spokeswoman for FPL, who spoke with USA TODAY Network-Florida. "We encourage customers who may not qualify for government assistance to take a look at our Saving Steps program."
Dawn Nichols, vice president of customer service at FPL, in a news release, said, "We want to reduce barriers, especially for older adults, and are more focused on making it easier for customers to get the help they need."
"Through FPL Savings Steps, eligible customers can receive immediate bill relief with a one-time $200 credit and learn simple, practical ways to lower their energy use over time," said Nichols. "The credits are part of a broader commitment to customers with support through the FPL Assistance Center, a one-stop resource that brings together bill assistance, energy saving programs, and community resources in one place."
Who is eligible for financial help from EHEAP?
EHEAP, according to the website for the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, is a state program that assists low-income households with at least one person age 60 or older, when the household is experiencing a home energy emergency.
For more information about EHEAP, send an email to FloridaLIHEAP@Commerce.fl.gov.
What bill payment assistance programs does FPL offer?
FPL offers bill payment assistance in a variety of ways, according to its website. They include the following:
- PAYMENT EXTENSIONS: This option is available for those who qualify, which is dependent on customers' payment history and past-due balance details.
- LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP): This federal government program helps households experiencing hardship pay their home energy bill with up to $1,700 within a 12-month period. It is only available to households where the total income is no more than 60% of the Florida state median income.
- FPL'S CARE TO SHARE PROGRAM: This FPL assistance program is funded through donations from employees of the utility company and customers to provide bill payment help or electrical repair assistance. To be eligible, your income must be at or below United Way's ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) budget.
For more on FPL's bill payment assistance programs and its Saving Steps program, visit FPL.com/Assistance.
Electric bills in Florida are among the nation's highest
The announcement by FPL comes at a time when overall inflation and the cost of living continue to rise.
Floridians on average currently pay the nation's ninth-highest electric bills, according to a recent national ranking.
Josh Newby, president and CEO of the nonprofit Council on Aging of West Florida, in the news release stated, "It is so encouraging and inspiring to see corporate partners like FPL step up to help seniors in a real, tangible way.
"FPL is not standing on the sidelines waiting for someone to step in; they are putting resources directly toward meaningful relief and practical solutions that can help older adults save. Our aging network thanks FPL, I thank them, and most importantly, the seniors we serve thanks them for being a strong partner in our communities."
How many households does FPL serve in Florida?
FPL provides electric service to more than 6 million households and businesses in Florida. That works out to well over 12 million Floridians.
Clayton Park is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida. He covers everything from insurance, utilities and home prices to groceries, gas and auto prices as the Florida consumer pocketbook reporter. If you have news tips, please send them to cpark@usatodayco.com. You can get all of Florida's best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://news-journalonline.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: FPL offers help to seniors in paying electric bills. Are you eligible?
