Have a housing and/or utility emergency, such as a past due utility bill or eviction notice.
Have income less than $450 a month for one person. To that amount, add $50 for every eligible household member.
Own assets less than $500 for one person. To that amount, add $50 for every eligible household member.
You must also be included in one of these three categories:
Pregnant woman who is ineligible for Temporary Cash Assistance from Department of Children and Families for a reason other than being sanctioned.
Married couple with on person disabled (Note: Married couples with both persons disabled may qualify for the Financial Assistance program.)
Adults with custody of minor children who are waiting for one of the following three items:
First Temporary Cash Assistance check from the Department of Children & Families (with no sanctions)
First unemployment check
First paycheck from a new job
What does the program offer?
This program helps families through an emergency, by offering temporary assistance for rent, mortgage, utilities or food. Financial help may be provided as residents wait for a first paycheck or other financial assistance. You may receive this benefit only once every five years.
How do I apply?
To apply for the Emergency Assistance Program, please take these steps:
Complete an application. To obtain an application, you may:
Call one of our offices to have an application mailed to you.
Visit one of our offices and pick up an application.
Look at the application for the list of paperwork you need to bring.
If you have questions about the paperwork, call our office Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. This might save time and help us serve you better during your visit.
Visit an office to turn in your application. You will be seen by an Eligibility Specialist on a first come, first-serve basis.
Health & Human Services locations - ready to serve you
647 1st Ave. N. -gmap
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 582-7781
What paperwork do I need?
Take a careful look at the documents you must bring on your first trip to our office.
1. Proof of past due utilities and/or eviction notices.
2. Proof of pending Temporary Cash Advance (TCA), unemployment
or written verification from employer of first pay date and salary.
3. Two forms of identification - Examples:
Birth certificate
Employment records
Florida identification card
Social Security card
Student identification badge
United States passport
Valid driver’s license
Voter registration card
Work identification or badge
4. Two current documents that prove you are a Pinellas County resident - Examples:
Bank statement with current address
Employment record
Mortgage or lease agreement
Motor vehicle registration or title with current address
School record
Pay check or pay stub
Rent receipt
Utility bill - Examples: landline telephone, electric, water, gas, cable
5. Proof of legal citizenship or immigration if born outside the United States:
Permanent resident card or naturalization papers
6. Proof of income for the past 60 days - Examples:
Award letters from the Social Security Administration or Veterans Administration
Child support/alimony
Pay stubs
Unemployment insurance benefits
Worker's Compensation
No income? Bring a support statement from someone who is helping you if you have no income. If you claim you have no income and one one is helping you financially, you will need to provide proof of how you are paying your living expenses.
7. Proof of how you managed your living expenses for the past 30 days.
8. Proof of assets - Examples:
Bank or credit union statements
Life insurance cash value
Non-homestead property
Retirement/401K funds
Stocks, bonds, trusts
9. Status of any other assistance applied for - Examples:
Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability (SSI/SSDI)
Unemployment
Worker’s Compensation
10. Status of legal action or insurance claims in process.
What if I still have questions?
Please call our Clearwater office at (727) 464-8400 or our St. Petersburg office at (727) 582-7781.
What if I’m not eligible for this program?
Please ask us for information and resources that may help you.
You may call 2-1-1 Tampa Bay’s Call Center, or visit www.211tampabay.org. To help families, hundreds of community resources are highlighted. Examples include child care referrals, family counseling, community voicemail, case management help, transitional housing and much more.
A look at the program...
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