Community Services

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)

• Provides eligible households assistance in meeting the cost of home energy & helps resolve a home energy "crisis"
• Must meet household poverty income guidelines of 150%
• Household is eligible for benefits once a year
• Funding priorities are a disconnect notice or final notice received. Priority target groups include: age 60 or over; and/or person has a disability; and/or at least one child under 5 in the home.

What happens after I return my pre-application form?
If you meet the guidelines you will be contacted by phone for an appointment. If you do not meet the guidelines or if funding is unavailable, you will not be contacted. If you find that you need energy assistance in the future, you may complete another application for review.

If I am called for an appointment, what do I need to bring with me?
You will need to demonstrate eligibility which includes household income (from all sources), household size, and U.S. legal status. If you are scheduled for an appointment, please bring all documentation that is pertinent to your household.

Required documents, if applicable:

• Most recent paystub for all working adults in the household
• Self-employed individuals must provide monthly income with job log showing work performed & payments received
• Individuals with no income must provide proof of how they are supporting themselves & paying for basic needs
• Current social Security, SSI or SSDI income printout/proof of application
• Current retirement/pension income printout
• Veterans income printout
• Most recent child support printout
• Any stipends
• Current unemployment check stub/proof of application
• Current Workers' Compensation which indicates benefits
• Proof of gambling/lottery winnings
• Proof of rental income if you own extra rental properties
• Proof of grants/scholarships
• If family/friends help support you, provide a notarized letter showing monthly amounts
• Picture ID
• If an adult household member does not have any source of income, he/she must come with applicant to the appointment to sign the Self-Declaration Form
• Current food stamp or Sun Cap benefit printout
• Current TANF benefit printout
• Social Security cards or INS documentation for all household members
• Documentation that the applicant is a US citizen or an alien who is eligible for Federal benefits (documentation of food stamps for the household meets this requirement)
• Documentation that all individuals listed on the application reside in the household which may include a lease agreement, notarized letter from landlord, or mortgage statement for homeowners.
• HUD lease if receiving Section 8 Housing
• Energy bill if not previously submitted
• Proof of legal custody for all minor children in your household
• If your name is not the name on your electric bill, you will need a notarized letter from the account holder stating they are allowing you to use their name on your bill and allowing EOC to access the account for commitments. If the account holder is deceased, bring their death certificate.
• If you own additional properties, bring proof of rental income.
• Proof of crisis: loss of income, unexpected expenses.

Emergency Assistance (Rental and/or Food)

To be eligible for Emergency Rental Assistance you must:

• Meet household poverty income guidelines of 125%
• Have a documented "crisis" of why rental assistance is needed (i.e. medical expenses, lost job, car repairs, etc)
• Be able to sustain rent if helped through "crisis"
• Complete paperwork & provide documentation of income

To be eligible for Emergency Food Assistance you must be Food Stamps; recertification clients are not eligible. You must:

• Meet household poverty income guidelines of 125%
• Bring proof that a Food Stamp Application has been made
• Complete paperwork & provide documentation of income

REACH Program (Rewarding Education through Action in Community & Home

Through education, the REACH Program is designed to assist motivated adults to achieve self-sufficiency.

Eligibility:

• Head of household or individual age 18 or older
• Indian River County resident
• Meet income guidelines of 125% of poverty or less
• Be motivated to obtain employment through vocational skills training and/or education

REACH Program Enrollees Receive:

• Financial assistance towards vocational skills training and/or education
• Support for barriers towards employment
• Referrals to other community services
• Educational workshops on budgeting, money management, job readiness, parenting and other important daily living skills

To Enroll, Participants Must:

• Complete application & paperwork
• Provide documentation of income & expenses
• Provide 2 professional letters of recommendation
• Develop an Individual Self-Sufficiency Plan (ISSP)
• Maintain on-going progress towards plan goals & objectives