Financial Assistance Programs

Rent/Mortgage & Water

Assistance for Past-Due Rent, Mortgage, or Water Bills

You may be eligible for assistance with past-due rent, mortgage, or water bills if you have experienced an unexpected financial crisis.

Qualifying circumstances include:
  • Temporary loss of income due to situations such as domestic violence, job loss, reduced work hours, or a medical crisis.
  • Unexpected expenses such as funeral costs, medical/dental bills, or emergency home repairs.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants for programs funded by Lee County tax dollars must meet basic eligibility criteria:
  • Residency - Applicant must have been a resident of Lee County for at least twelve (12) weeks. Proof of intent to remain in Lee County must be verified by at least TWO of the following:
    • State of Florida driver's license or identification card in effect for twelve weeks with a Lee County address
    • Paycheck stubs or verification from employer indicating twelve weeks of employment
    • Voter's registration card in effect for twelve weeks
    • Utility bills indicating twelve weeks of residency
    • Lease or verification from landlord indicating twelve weeks of residency
    • School enrollment forms indicating twelve weeks of enrollment
  • Financial Crisis - Applicants will need to show that the household has experienced a financial crisis due to:
    • An unexpected and temporary loss of income
    • Job loss NOT due to applicant's behavior or employer policy violation, or
    • An unforeseen paid expense
  • Income Requirements - Households with incomes between 200% and 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) may be eligible for assistance.
​MONTHLY FPL%
​# of Household Members
​200%
​250%
​1
​$2,608.33
$3260.42​
​2
​$3,525.00
$4,406.25​
​3
​$4,441.67
$5,552.08​
​4
$5,358.33
​$6,697.92
​5
​$6,275.00
$7,843.75​
​6
$7,191.67​$​8,989.58
​7
​$8,108.33
​$10,135.42
​8
$9,025.00​
​$11,281.25
​9
​$9,941.67
$12,427.08​
​10
$10,858.33​
$13,572.92​
​11
​$11,775.00
​$14,718.75
​12
​$12,691.67
​$15,864.58
​13
$13,608.33​​$17,010.42
​14
$14,525.00​​$18,156.25
  • Income (Financial) - Certain programs require the applicant to provide proof of financial
    "management" (the ability of your household income to pay your household expenses on a monthly basis). Furthermore, an applicant will not be eligible if they cannot prove enough income to be able to pay future expenses. This requirement may be waived for applicants in certain abuse or medical crisis situations; consult with an Eligibility Specialist to determine if an exemption applies.
  • Citizenship - Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or legally registered alien.
  • Age - Residents must be eighteen (18) years of age or older. Residents under eighteen (18) years of age must be legally emancipated minors, or married.
Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee approval for utility or housing assistance. Eligibility for assistance is determined based on program requirements and the availability of funds.


**NEW FUNDING** Hurricane Ian Rent/Mortgage and Relocation/Move-In Assistance

Lee County has received Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Disaster Relief Supplemental Funding (DRSF) that will provide assistance to residents with unmet housing needs related to the impact of Hurricane Ian.

Grant funds are intended for assistance with past due rent or mortgage, relocation move-in cost assistance, and temporary emergency housing accommodations if necessary.  

Eligibility Requirements:
  • You must have unmet housing needs as a direct result of Hurricane Ian.
  • Have established residency in Lee County at the time of Hurricane Ian.  
  • Must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
  • You must be residing in or approved for a housing unit if applying for move in assistance. 
  • You must have sufficient income to sustain your housing after receiving assistance.
Please select the Apply Online button below to submit an application for assistance with unmet housing needs related to the impact of Hurricane Ian. A response to each question is required for your application to be considered complete. Upon submission of your application, you will be contacted by Human and Veteran Services staff to review your application and assess your eligibility for assistance and discuss submission of any required documentation. Applicants who fail to respond or submit requested documentation may be denied benefits or required to reapply.

Please note that submission of an application does not guarantee assistance. All aid is subject to the availability of funds, and applications are prioritized based on the urgency of need.


Electric Bill Assistance

Attention LIHEAP Customers: Due to the overwhelming number of applications submitted in April, the LIHEAP application portal is temporarily closed to allow for the timely processing of applications. The portal will reopen once existing applications are processed. Please continue to visit our website for information and updates on when we will resume accepting new applications.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides support to eligible households to help meet their immediate home energy needs, specifically for electric services.

Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for LIHEAP assistance, applicants must meet the following requirements:
  1. Residency: Be a resident of Lee County.
  2. Citizenship Status: Be a U.S. Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, or a Qualified Alien.
  3. Income: The gross countable income of all household members must not exceed:
    • 60% of the current Florida State Median Income guideline for households of 1 to 8 members, or
    • 150% of the current Federal Poverty Level guideline for households with 9 or more members.
    • Please click on the Income Restrictions button below for additional information regarding income. 
  4. Utility Obligation: Have an obligation to pay a utility bill directly to a utility company or pay non-subsidized rent that includes utilities.
How to Apply
To apply for LIHEAP assistance, please click on the Apply Online button below to submit your application.

Selecting Utility Provider
On the initial screen after clicking Apply Online, you will be prompted to search for your utility provider.
  • For assistance with an LCEC account, please select “Lee County Electric Cooperative.”
  • For assistance with an FPL account, please select “Florida Power and Light Company.” 
  • For assistance with any other electric utility account, please select “My utility is not listed here.”
Important Information
  • All questions in the application must be answered in order for it to be considered complete.
  • Once your application is submitted, a representative from Human & Veteran Services will contact you to review your submission, assess your eligibility, and discuss any required documentation.
  • Failure to respond to requests or submit required documentation may result in a denial of benefits or require you to reapply.

Please note that submission of an application does not guarantee assistance. All aid is subject to the availability of funds, and applications are prioritized based on the urgency of need.

FRAUD PREVENTION: No payments, including money, cash, or checks, will be requested or accepted by any office employee. If any staff member asks for money, please immediately report the incident to the Family Impact Program Manager at 239-533-2906.

Home Repair Assistance

​Eligible repairs include:

  • Roof repair or replacement
  • Plumbing
  • ​Septic repair or replacement
  • Heating and air conditioning​
  • Well repair or replacement
  • Window replacement
  • ​Electrical
  • ​Door repair or replacement

The minimum assistance amount is $1,000. 
Eligibility Requirements:
  • Live in unincorporated Lee County (not within a city).
  • Be a U.S. citizen or resident.
  • Have annual income at or below HUD's income levels
  • Have owned and continuously lived in your home for at least the past 12 months.
  • Be current on all mortgages, property taxes, and homeowner association fees.
  • Obtain hazard and flood insurance (if applicable) prior to assistance.
  • Own and occupy your home for the duration of the deferred mortgage.
  • Property must be homesteaded and be free of excessive clutter.
  • Property shall not be listed for sale by owner or by a realtor at the time of assistance.
  • Property cannot be included in any open bankruptcy proceedings, foreclosure, or probate.
  • All persons listed on the deed to the property on record with the Lee County Clerk's office must reside at the property
Program Exclusions: 
  • Maintenance type repairs are not eligible. 
  • Married couples living separately are not eligible. 
  • Mobile homes located on rented or leased lots are not eligible. 
  • Mold damage exceeding the area of 1 square foot is not eligible. 

Home Purchase Assistance

Existing Home (HOME Program)
Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP Program)

Lee County buys foreclosed homes in target areas at below appraised value, then rehabilitates properties into desirable homes. Lee County then sells the home to qualified homebuyers, providing a soft second mortgage and reasonable closing cost assistance to help subsidize buyer costs.

Homebuyers must have an annual household income at or below income levels, attend homebuyer education class from a HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency, be able to obtain a commitment for a mortgage from a lending institution, and occupy property as their primary/principal residence.

Indigent Cremation Services

If you have a family member, who has recently passed away and cannot afford cremation services, you may qualify to have your relative cremated at no cost. The Indigent Cremation program does not provide for a funeral, memorial viewing, visitation, or any other services.

Qualifications for the program include:

  • The person must have died in Lee County
  • The deceased person must not have any form of life insurance
  • Your household income must not exceed 100% of the federal poverty guidelines, and household assets not exceed the maximum amount

Documentation requirements:
  • Social security card or other document verifying deceased person's social security number
  • Photo ID of the deceased person
  • Photo ID of applicant
  • Social Security Card of Applicant
  • Proof of all of household income

Process:
  • Return completed application and required documents to Lee County Human & Veteran Services
  • Your application will be reviewed and you will be notified regarding your eligibility
  • Staff will authorize the retrieval of the body

Completed application and required documentation must be returned in-person or via mail to:
Lee County Human & Veteran Services
Attn: Indigent Cremation
2440 Thompson St.
Fort Myers, FL 33901

Housing Opportunities for People with HIV/AIDS

If you have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, you may qualify for homeless prevention or help to secure permanent housing if you are experiencing homelessness. The goal of HOPWA is to ensure that you can remain medication compliant and self-sufficient through stable housing.  
  • You must be in compliance with your medical provider
  • You must meet income eligibility requirements with an annual income at or below 80% of the area median income.
  • Be willing to work with HOPWA staff towards self-sufficiency.
Referrals are accepted by completing this simple application. HOPWA maintains STRICT confidentiality guidelines.


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