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Help paying bills in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco County: electric, phone, internet and rent

If an electric bill, a phone bill, or the rent is getting hard to cover, there are programs that can help. This page covers the federal energy program run through local agencies, what your electric company offers, the Lifeline phone discount, and where to ask about rent help in each county.

Checked against FloridaCommerce, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, county government pages, the Universal Service Administrative Company, the Federal Trade Commission, and the utilities listed at the bottom. Program money runs out and rules change, so call before you go. Last reviewed: October 5, 2026.

The short version:

Electric bills

Can seniors get help with utilities?

Yes. The main source is LIHEAP, a federal program that helps pay heating and cooling bills. In Florida, a state agency called FloridaCommerce runs LIHEAP and sends the money to a local agency in each county. That local agency takes your application and pays your power company directly.

LIHEAP can pay an electric bill. It can pay a natural gas or propane bill only in winter, and only if that's what heats your home. FloridaCommerce says the program can't pay for water, sewer, or phone service.

Older adults get priority. Citrus County's LIHEAP page lists "elderly persons ages 60 or older" among the households with the greatest need. You Thrive Florida, the agency for Hernando and Pasco, says the program's goal includes protecting seniors and people with disabilities from losing power.

Here's who takes LIHEAP applications in each county, from the state's list of local providers:

Have these ready before you call: a photo ID, Social Security numbers for everyone in your home, your most recent electric bill, any shut-off notice, and proof of income. For most retirees, proof of income means this year's Social Security benefit letter and any pension letter. Citrus County says bank statements don't count as proof of income.

What programs in Florida can help with electric bills?

Besides LIHEAP, there are a few other places to ask.

If your power is off or about to be shut off and someone in the home is a senior or has a disability, FloridaCommerce says to call 9-1-1 if it's life-threatening. Otherwise, call 2-1-1 to find other agencies that may be able to help.

What is the income limit for LIHEAP in Florida?

Your household's total yearly income before taxes has to be at or under these amounts. FloridaCommerce lists them, and Citrus County shows the same numbers as effective October 1, 2025.

You also have to live in Florida, be responsible for paying the heating or cooling bill, and be a U.S. citizen, qualified alien, or permanent resident. Florida updates these limits each year, so check the FloridaCommerce LIHEAP page for the current figures.

How much you can get varies. Citrus County says its regular benefit runs $200 to $700 per household, depending on household size and income. Both local agencies say you can get one regular benefit in a 12-month period. There's also separate crisis help for a shut-off notice, a disconnection, or a deposit you have to pay to get service started.

When is Florida LIHEAP available?

It depends on funding, which comes and goes during the year. As of October 4, 2026, the state's online application at floridaliheap.com said, "LIHEAP applications are currently not being accepted." It told people to check back later or contact their local agency.

So call your county's agency directly, even if the website says no. Citrus County says on its LIHEAP page that help is "available year-round, based on eligibility and availability of funds." FloridaCommerce warns that local agencies get heavy call volume, so if the line is busy, keep trying.

Phone and internet bills

Is there a free government cell phone plan in Florida?

There's a federal discount called Lifeline, and depending on the plan, it can bring your bill down to nothing out of pocket. Lifeline takes up to $9.25 a month off phone service, internet service, or a bundle of both, according to the program's official site, LifelineSupport.org. Only one Lifeline discount is allowed per household.

You can qualify in one of two ways, according to the Lifeline qualification page:

To apply, Lifeline's how-to-apply page gives three ways. You can apply online, ask a phone or internet company that offers Lifeline to help you, or mail a paper application. Then you sign up with a company that offers Lifeline. If you need help, call the Lifeline Support Center at 800-234-9473, seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern.

Two things will cost you the discount if you miss them. You have to confirm you still qualify every year, within 60 days of being asked. And if your plan is free, you have to use it at least once every 30 days, or it can be turned off.

You may remember the Affordable Connectivity Program, which took up to $30 a month off internet bills. It ended on June 1, 2024, because Congress didn't add more money, according to the Universal Service Administrative Company, the group that runs Lifeline for the federal government.

Rent and housing

Can seniors get help with rent?

Sometimes, but the long-term programs can be hard to get into. The biggest one is the Housing Choice Voucher program, also called Section 8. You pay part of the rent, usually based on your income, and the program pays the rest to your landlord. As of October 2026, all three counties' waiting lists were closed.

If you're behind on rent or facing eviction now, start with 2-1-1. In Hernando, the county's Health and Human Services office does an assessment for people who are homeless or at risk of losing their home. Call 352-540-4338 or start on the county's homelessness assistance page. In Pasco, Human Services offers case management at 727-834-3297.

What types of rent assistance programs are available for seniors in Florida?

There are three main kinds you'll run into here.

Water bills

LIHEAP doesn't pay water bills. If you're a Pasco County Utilities customer, Pasco's Human Services page says its Project Round-Up program helps customers who need help with their utility bill. Call Human Services at 727-834-3297 to see if you qualify.

Watch out for shut-off scams

A common scam is a call saying your power or water will be shut off today unless you pay right now. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says real companies don't demand one specific way to pay, and they don't generally accept gift cards, cash reload cards, or cryptocurrency. Utility companies also won't make paying by phone your only choice. If a caller demands a gift card, a wire transfer, or cryptocurrency, don't pay.

If you get a call like this, hang up. Call your power company using the number printed on your paper bill, not a number the caller gave you. Then report the call to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your utility.

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