Utility and Housing Assistance Program

The purpose of the Utility and Housing Assistance Program at Step Up Suncoast is to bring individuals out of crisis and in to financial stability. We do this through a variety of funding programs and your Client Services Specialist will help determine which program(s) fits your needs best.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Due to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) budget authority issues, Step Up Suncoast has limited funding available for all utility assistance services funded by DEO.  Utility assistance programs affected are the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Low Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).  Therefore, until further notice, Step Up Suncoast can only offer each household one crisis (past due) assistance for electricity (LIHEAP). The LIHWAP program has no funding until further notice. All water utility assistance will be processed through Season of Sharing as applicable.  

Also, only households meeting one of the following criteria will be eligible for LIHEAP service:

*Persons 60 years of age and older

*Households with children 5 years of age and under

*Persons with disabilities

All appointments are to be scheduled through our online calendar below.  

Please continue to monitor our website for updates.

Current Funding Programs
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): LIHEAP services are provided to assist income eligible families to meet their immediate home energy needs in the form of electric and occasionally gas.
This program is available to individuals living in Hardee and Manatee counties.

Low Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP): NO FUNDING UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. LIWHAP services are provided to assist income eligible families to meet their immediate water needs.
This program is available to individuals living in Hardee and Manatee counties.

Season of Sharing (SOS): Season of Sharing supports individuals and families who are on the verge of homelessness to stay in their homes. Funds may be used for rent, mortgage, utilities, child care, transportation, work tools or other crucial expenses.
This program is available to individuals living in Manatee and Desoto County.

Making an Appointment
All individuals needing assistance must book an appointment online. At this time, our office is closed to the public and all appointments will occur by phone. If you need assistance, please call 941-827-2887.
The online appointment system opens on Tuesday-Friday at 8am. *Appointments go quickly and are often gone within the first 30 minutes so please plan accordingly when scheduling. They are on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
Phone appointments with the Client Services Specialist are held Monday-Thursday between 8:30am-10:30am and are 30 minutes in length.