Human Services programs

Low-Income Energy Assistance Programs

Volusia County residents interested in applying for electric bill assistance may apply online through Florida Commerce: Apply online here. The application portal will remain open until the maximum capacity is reached. Florida Commerce actively monitors this portal application volume and funding availability.

Assistance is based on the availability of grant funding and is not guaranteed.

Home Energy Crisis Assistance

Under the Volusia County Home Energy Crisis program, there are two categories in which an eligible applicant may qualify. This category eligibility will be determined by an assigned caseworker based on State and County program guidelines, the applicant’s household information and documentation provided, and the amount of funding that may be available for either category at the time an application is received.

• Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) - The LIHEAP program provides energy assistance to eligible low-income households to alleviate financial burdens associated with their heating and cooling expenses such as electric, coal, propane and gas.

• Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) has similar eligibility requirements and guidelines as LIHEAP, however the EHEAP Program provides energy assistance to eligible low-income households that have at least one member living in the home who is age 60 or older. The household member who is 60 or older must be the primary applicant. In the event that EHEAP funding is not available, applications will be processed under LIHEAP.

Under both LIHEAP and EHEAP, Crisis assistance requires a past-due notice, disconnection notice, notice that services have already been disconnected, or notice that a deposit is needed to establish services. Eligible applicants must have a utility account already established to receive services. Human Services does not assist applicants to establish an account. A household needing a utility deposit is responsible for setting up and acquiring their account information, including account number, prior to their appointment or submitting an application.  

A household eligible for Crisis assistance may apply for multiple Crisis benefits within a program year (October 1st – September 30th). A household may not receive both LIHEAP and EHEAP during the same eligibility period. The maximum crisis benefit per program year is $1,000 for LIHEAP and $2,000 for EHEAP.

Gas/propane fuel must be used to heat the residence in order to receive assistance. Gas or propane used for cooking, or the warming of water is not eligible for assistance. Gas or propane assistance is available only for the heating season of October-March.

Volusia County Home Energy Assistance Programs are sponsored by the County of Volusia, the State of Florida Department of Commerce (FloridaCommerce), the State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs, and ElderSource.

How to apply for Home Energy Crisis Assistance:

Volusia County residents interested in applying for LIHEAP assistance, please apply online through Florida Commerce: Apply online here. Florida Commerce actively monitors this portal application volume and funding availability. The application portal will remain open until the maximum capacity is reached.

Elderly individuals interested in EHEAP Crisis may request a phone appointment with Human Services by calling 386-239-7757. There are limited appointments available each week. If phone appointments are cancelled, they could become available throughout the week. Interested applicants may dial back to check updated availability.

Assistance is based on the availability of grant funding and is not guaranteed.

Rental and Mortgage Assistance

Emergency rental and mortgage assistance programs are implemented by One Voice for Volusia and Catholic Charities of Central Florida.  Below is information on how to apply:

One Voice for Volusia and Catholic Charities of Central Florida are partnering to provide emergency rent and mortgage assistance, with support from the County of Volusia. 

Online pre-screening surveys will be accepted on select Monday mornings beginning at 8:00 for a limited timeframe at www.volusia-cares.org

The number of pre-screenings accepted will be limited on a weekly basis. If the limit has been reached, please check back on Monday morning at 8 AM. Pre-screenings and applications will not be accepted through email or phone.  Please review the eligibility criteria and documentation criteria prior to submitting a pre-screening survey. 

Assistance is based on the availability of grant funding and is not guaranteed. 

Rental Deposit

Eligible households may be able to receive assistance for a rental deposit if they meet one of the following criteria

• The residence must be condemned and identified “inhabitable” by either Code Enforcement or the Health Department. Supporting documentation from one of the two mentioned authorities is required.
• A domestic violence survivor who has been living in a domestic violence shelter for at least 30 days and has a permanent protective order against the perpetrator. 
• A household that is a first-time Section 8 recipient whose unit has already passed inspection. The application must be made for assistance 1) prior to or within 30 days of lease being executed and 2) proof the unit has passed inspection. Households that are not first-time Section 8 recipients are disqualified. “First-time” is not limited to Volusia County; it includes households that have at any point in the past or anywhere received Section 8 assistance, such as “porting.”

A rental deposit is a once-in-a-lifetime benefit.  If any adult member in the requesting household has received this benefit prior to application, the entire household will be ineligible.

If you are in need of rental deposit assistance, please call 386-239-7757 to schedule an appointment. There are limited appointments available each week.  If phone appointments are cancelled, they could become available throughout the week. Interested applicants may dial back to check updated availability.

Assistance is based on the availability of grant funding and is not guaranteed. 

Volusia County Rental and Mortgage Assistance Programs are sponsored by the County of Volusia, and the State of Florida Department of Commerce (FloridaCommerce).

Water Bill Assistance

An eligible household may receive up to a maximum of $600 to alleviate a past-due water account.  If the household has a past-due balance of more than $600 a special payment agreement between the household and water provider must be arranged prior to assistance being awarded.  A household is eligible to receive one emergency water account benefit from Jan. 1 – Dec. 31 each year. A household receiving any form of government-assisted housing such as Section 8, TBRA, SHIP, subsidized housing, or public housing is not eligible for water account assistance.

If you are in need of water assistance, please call 386-239-7757 to schedule an appointment. There are limited appointments available each week.  If phone appointments are cancelled, they could become available throughout the week. Interested applicants may dial back to check updated availability.

Proof of water account crisis

• A water account that is past-due, been served a disconnection notice, or has been disconnected. The most recent statement/bill must be provided.
• Persons who have secured new housing and are in need of a water deposit must have an account number established through the water provider.
• The name on the water account must be in an adult household member’s name residing in the household at time of application.

Assistance is based on the availability of grant funding and is not guaranteed. 

Indigent Cremation 

Human Services provides limited cremation services to indigent people who pass away in Volusia County in accordance with Florida Statutory requirements. For additional information about this program, click here.

Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS)

The FSSP program is a voluntary program designed to assist low-risk homeless households to both obtain rental housing and work toward economic self-sufficiency. Program participants will receive fundamental case management, supportive services, and limited financial assistance. Participants will also be referred to community partners to receive appropriate training and educational opportunities needed based upon each participant’s unique situation such as financial literacy, improving credit scores, nutrition education, work-readiness, and employment search. Households must be referred to this program through various community agencies who work with individuals experiencing homelessness or other housing barriers.

Assistance is based on the availability of grant funding and is not guaranteed. 

The Volusia County FSS Program is sponsored by the County of Volusia, and the State of Florida Department of Commerce (FloridaCommerce).

Summer Food

Each summer, Human Services operates a Volusia County Summer Food Program in which numerous sites throughout the county provide nutritionally balanced breakfast and/or lunch to children 18 and younger at no cost. The 2024 program will start June 3 and conclude Aug. 9. For additional more information about the summer food program, click here.

Assistance is based on the availability of grant funding and is not guaranteed. 

Applicants may contact the Human Services Manager regarding a complaint or grievance and will receive a response within ten (10) business days.  The Human Services Manager's contact information may be found on the side menu of this page.  Human Services does not accept applications or provide Medicaid, Medicare, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Please go www.myflorida.com/accessflorida to learn about these services.