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things happen.
we have your back.
You shouldn’t have to choose being keeping the lights on or feeding your family. That’s why we’re here to help with our emergency utility, rent, and mortgage assistance programs.
UTILITY ASSISTANCE
KEEP THE LIGHTS ON
Heart of Florida United Way, in collaboration with public utilities such as the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC—The Reliable One), Duke Energy, the City of Winter Park Utilities, and Lake Apopka Natural Gas District, offers emergency residential utility assistance as part of our commitment to the community’s well-being. The availability of this assistance is contingent on the funds at our disposal.
If your utility provider is not among those mentioned, or if you require additional assistance, you have multiple avenues to explore. Reach out to 211 through phone, email, chat, or text (simply send your zip code to 898-211), and discover alternative community resources that may be available to you.
To apply for assistance for any of the programs listed below, please click “Apply Now” to create your account and submit an application.
Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC)
Program Criteria:
- Must be a residential OUC customer in Orange or Osceola county
- Must be the main account holder or an authorized user on an account
- Must have a past due balance with OUC
- Account must be in active status
- Account must not have a history of tampering or theft of services
Must Provide:
- Name and contact information
- OUC account number
- Last 4 digits of Social Security number (If you have one)
- Reason you are applying for financial assistance (job loss, reduction of hours at work, medical expense, car repair, loss or gap in benefits, change in household, unexpected emergency expense, or other)
Please note the following:
- OUC Project CARE is providing one time assistance up to $500 per household in a 12-month period
- We are only able to assist with overdue bills and are unable to assist with current bills.
- We are unable to assist customers with deposits owed or deposits required to set up a new account.
- We are unable to assist Power Pass customers (unless you have a debt recovery balance)
Important Notice: Due to the higher than normal volume of applications received, limited applications are accepted each week.
duke energy
Program Criteria:
- Must be a residential Duke Energy customer in Orange, Osceola, or Seminole county
- Must be the main account holder or an authorized user on the account
- Must have a past due balance with Duke Energy
- Account must not have a history of tampering or theft of services
Must Provide:
- Name, contact information, and Duke Energy account number
- Most recent Duke Energy bill showing past due status
- Valid Picture ID for main applicant with date of birth visible (ex: driver’s license)
- Last 4 digits of Social Security number (if you have one)
- Proof of Financial Hardship (such as job loss, reduction of hours at work, medical expense, car repair, loss or gap in benefits, change in household, unexpected emergency expense, or other)
- Bank Statement dated with the last 30 days
Please note the following:
- Assistance is limited to twice a year per household in a 12-month period
Important Notice: Due to the higher than normal volume of applications received, limited applications are accepted each week.
Lake Apopka Natural Gas District (LANGD)
Program Criteria:
- Must be a Lake Apopka Natural Gas District residential customer
- Must be the main account holder or an authorized user on an account
- Must have a past due balance with Lake Apopka Natural Gas District
- Account must not have a history of tampering or theft of services
Must Provide:
- Name, contact information, and Lake Apopka Natural Gas District account number
- Most recent Lake Apopka Natural Gas District bill showing past due status
Please note the following:
- Assistance is limited to twice per year or up to $350 per household in a 12-month period
City of Winter Park – Emergency Utility Assistance Program
Program Criteria:
- Must be a Winter Park Electric Utility customer
- Must be a City of Winter Park customer or an authorized user on an account
- Account must not have a history of tampering or theft of services
Must Provide:
- Name and contact information
- Winter Park Electric Utility account number
- Not involved in criminal activity related to tampering
- Reason you are applying for financial assistance (job loss, reduction of hours at work, medical expense, car repair, loss or gap in benefits, change in household, unexpected emergency expense, or other)
- Most recent Winter Park Electric Utility bill showing past due status
- Copy of most recent bill
Important Note: Assistance is limited to up to $650 per household in a 12-month period.
EMERGENCY support
need a helping hand?
cALL 211.
If you don’t qualify for any other emergency program, we may be able to refer you to other available community resources, including resources to support with rent, mortgage payments, utility payments, and more.
