FPL Bill Help in Miami-Dade 2026–27: LIHEAP, Care To Share up to $750, Payment Extensions and Bill Extender
Summer in Miami means running the air conditioning nearly nonstop, and the FPL bill that comes with it can be the hardest bill of the month. If you're behind or worried about a disconnection notice, there are several programs that can help. Some come from FPL itself and some from Miami-Dade County, and the trick is knowing which one fits your situation and in which order to try them.
This guide covers federal LIHEAP through the county's Community Resource Centers, FPL's Care To Share emergency fund, FPL's payment extensions, Bill Extender, Budget Billing and the newer Saving Steps credit, with phone numbers for every Miami-Dade intake site FPL lists.
Last checked October 2026. Sources: FPL's Assistance page, Care To Share page, Payment Extension page and Financial Assistance by County page; FPL's August 31, 2026 news release on its Assistance Center; and Miami-Dade County's Light Bill Assistance page. The county and FPL pages give different LIHEAP maximums, which we explain below. Funding for these programs runs out at times, so call before you go.
The Short Version
Behind but not in crisis? Ask FPL for a payment extension online. A late charge can still apply.
On a fixed income? Bill Extender gives you an extra 10 days to pay each month.
Low income, any time of year: apply for LIHEAP through a Miami-Dade Community Resource Center, or call 786-469-4640.
Facing a shutoff, with LIHEAP used up or unavailable: FPL Care To Share can pay up to $750 once in a 12-month period.
Age 60 or older: call the Alliance for Aging at 305-670-HELP (4357) about EHEAP.
Want lower bills going forward: look at Saving Steps (a one-time $200 credit) and free energy upgrades for income-qualified homes.
Start Here: Which Program Fits
The programs have different rules, and a couple of them expect you to try something else first.
LIHEAP is the big government program. It doesn't require an emergency for regular help, and it can also help in a crisis.
Care To Share is meant for households that are about to be disconnected, or already are, and that have already used other energy help such as LIHEAP or EHEAP. Treat it as the backstop.
Payment extensions, Bill Extender and Budget Billing are FPL account tools. They don't reduce what you owe, but they can buy time or smooth out summer spikes.
If you have a final notice or disconnection notice, keep it. Both the county and FPL ask for it as proof of crisis.
LIHEAP Through Miami-Dade Community Resource Centers
Miami-Dade County runs the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program through its Community Action and Human Services department. FPL's county list gives the LIHEAP number as 786-469-4640. The county's page also links to an online registration at floridaliheap.com.
How much it pays
The two official sources don't agree, so here's what each one says:
Miami-Dade County's page says regular home energy assistance pays once a year, doesn't require an emergency, is based on income, household size and household makeup, and has a maximum of $1,350. A separate line says crisis assistance can reach $2,000 within 12 months, but that line still refers to hardship "due to the pandemic," so it may be out of date.
FPL's Assistance page says LIHEAP can pay up to $1,700 within a 12-month period, and lists eligibility as total income of no more than 60% of the Florida State Median Income.
Ask the Community Resource Center which amount applies when you apply. The county page says the benefit is the amount you qualify for, not the size of your current bill, and that if you're approved, the credit goes to your utility within 45 days. You'll get an approval or denial notice in the mail.
Keep paying what you can while you wait. A pending application isn't the same as a hold on your account.
If you're disconnected or facing disconnection
The county page says you must visit a Community Resource Center if your power is off or about to be shut off. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcomed.
Who qualifies and what to bring
The county lists these requirements:
You live in Miami-Dade County.
You're a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.
A current Florida driver's license or photo ID for every adult 18 and older in the home.
Proof of income for the last 30 days for everyone in the household, such as consecutive pay stubs (4 weekly or 2 biweekly or monthly), a current Social Security, SSI or disability statement, pension, child support, TANF, veterans or workers' compensation printouts, or an employer letter on company letterhead.
If someone helps you financially, a notarized letter saying how much and how often, plus their income proof.
A SNAP benefits printout, if you get SNAP.
Birth certificates for children 5 and under.
Your current electric bill, final notice or past-due notice, or proof you've been disconnected.
If you live in Section 8 or public housing, your 50059 form showing your utility allowance.
The county may ask for more documents, including an explanation if your income looks too low to cover your expenses.
FPL Care To Share: Up to $750 in an Emergency
Care To Share is funded by FPL employees, shareholders and customers and is run by local agencies, which decide who qualifies and how much they get. FPL's page says eligible households can receive up to $750 within a 12-month period toward FPL bills, subject to funding.
Who qualifies
You live in FPL's service area and have an FPL account, or live at the service address.
You're in imminent danger of disconnection, or already disconnected.
You've already used other energy help, such as LIHEAP or EHEAP.
No one in the household has a history of fraud or meter tampering.
Household income is at or below the United Way ALICE threshold for your county.
ALICE is United Way's measure of households that earn too much for most government aid but still struggle to cover basics. FPL says to check by going to the United Way ALICE Household Calculator, choosing Florida and Miami-Dade, and entering your household income and size. If it says yours is an ALICE household, you meet the income test.
What to bring
Photo ID
Proof you live in FPL's service area, such as a lease or utility bill
Your FPL account number, or proof you live at the service address
A past-due or disconnection notice
Proof of income for everyone in the household, such as pay stubs, Social Security disability, VA disability, workers' comp, TANF, pension, child support or alimony records
Where to apply in Miami-Dade
FPL's county page lists these Care To Share intake sites:
Salvation Army: 305-456-5850
Culmer/Overtown Service Center: 305-438-4161
Edison/Little River Service Center: 305-758-9662
Florida City/Homestead Service Center: 305-247-2068
Frankie Shannon Rolle Service Center: 305-446-3311
Joseph Caleb Service Center: 305-756-2830
Miami Gardens Service Center: 305-623-6500
Naranja Service Center: 305-258-5471
South Beach Service Center: 305-672-1705
Wynwood Service Center: 305-547-7661
Perrine Neighborhood Center: 305-254-5904
FPL says the agency you apply with will update you. If you apply with the Salvation Army, updates come by text or e-mail.
Electrical repair help for homeowners
Care To Share also has a repair benefit of up to $2,000 for homeowners, or landlords of qualifying rentals, to fix customer-owned meter cans, weatherheads and risers. Electric panels and interior wiring aren't covered. You need prequalification first, with a quote from a licensed and insured electrician and photos showing the FPL meter number. After the work is done, you submit an itemized invoice and photos for reimbursement. The repair benefit is limited to once in 12 months, and the ALICE income limit applies.
Help for Seniors: EHEAP
If someone in your household is 60 or older, ask about the Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP). FPL lists the Alliance for Aging at 305-670-HELP (4357) for Miami-Dade. The county says EHEAP helps during a home energy emergency, such as a past-due bill or disconnection notice.
FPL Payment Extensions
You can request a payment extension online. FPL says it looks at your payment history, how long you've been a customer, the past-due amount, how old it is and how timely your past payments were. If you qualify, you'll see a new pay-by date right away, with an e-mail confirmation the next business day.
Read the fine print:
An extension doesn't stop the payment from counting as late. FPL's late charge is the greater of $5.00 or 1.5% of the past-due balance.
If you're late twice in six months, FPL automatically reviews your deposit. If there's a gap of $50 or more between your deposit and two months' average billing, you may be asked to make up the difference.
You may still get a final notice. If you miss the extension date, the extension defaults and your power can be shut off.
Bill Extender, Budget Billing and Friendly Reminder
Bill Extender: for customers on a fixed income, such as Social Security, disability or retirement benefits, at any age. FPL says you get an extra 10 days to pay each month, which can line your due date up with when your check arrives.
Budget Billing: spreads costs across the year using a rolling average of up to 12 months of usage, so summer bills don't spike as much. You can't have a delinquent balance to enroll, and you can't have enrolled in the past 12 months. Budget Billing changes when you pay, not what you pay overall.
Friendly Reminder: lets you name someone you trust to be told when a final notice goes out on your account.
Medically Essential Service: if someone at home depends on electric medical equipment, a doctor can certify it. FPL then provides special notices and referrals. This doesn't make your service free or shutoff-proof, but it's worth setting up.
Lowering Future Bills
FPL's Assistance page lists these for income-qualified customers:
FPL Saving Steps: a one-time $200 bill credit for completing a program on energy-saving habits. Income must be at or below the ALICE budget. FPL announced the program on August 31, 2026.
Free energy-saving upgrades: up to $500 in home improvements for households at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.
SolarTogether SunAssist: solar credits that FPL says save an average of $50 a year, for incomes below 200% of poverty.
If You Have a Disconnection Notice Today
Go online to FPL and ask for a payment extension. Even a short one helps.
Call 786-469-4640 or visit a Community Resource Center about crisis LIHEAP. Bring your notice, IDs and 30 days of income proof for everyone in the home.
If LIHEAP isn't available or you've already used it, call a Care To Share site from the list above.
If you're 60 or older, call 305-670-4357 about EHEAP.
If rent or other bills are also behind, see our Miami nonprofits guide below.
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