WELCOME to Human Services

"Helping Families in Need"

Utilities Assistance for Seniors

The Human Services mission is to insure the health and welfare of Pasco County’s indigent and at-risk populations, by providing a variety of medical and general assistance through networking and coordinating services with other governmental entities, non-profit service agencies and other related community human service providers.

FY 07/08, Pasco County Human Services is designed primarily to provide short-term, limited, temporary assistance to families, in accordance with Division rules, regulations and budgetary constraints.

Available Services

The Human Services Division is funded primarily by the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners. In order to qualify for assistance for all services, residents must meet established income and asset eligibility criteria, and provide staff with the required documentation. State and/or federal funding sources may require additional documentation. All services are contingent upon the availability of services, cooperation of landlords, local physicians, dentists, laboratories and other businesses.

Human Services May Provide:

• Limited payments toward past due rent
• Limited payments for past due utility bills (electricity, water, propane)
• Burial services for residents who have no insurance benefits or other means by which to pay for services
• Information and Referrals on available community resources
• Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program – This program assists residents 60 years of age and older, twice a year, with past due utility bills. Funding is through the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc.
• Assistance with prescription drugs, up to the established amounts, when ordered by a physician (Human Services does not provide psychotropic and/or habit forming medications.)
• Dental Services are restricted to simple extractions
• Out-Patient Services
• Physicians office visits
• Laboratory and x-rays, when ordered by physician

Applicants are normally seen on an appointment basis. There is a list of documentation required for an application, before eligibility can be determined. Walk-ins will be pre-screened by staff and given appointments for a later date. Appropriate referrals to other community agencies may be provided. 

Pasco County is required by the Florida Legislature to participate in the Medicaid County Billing program. Pursuant to Chapter 409.915, Florida Statutes, each county is required to participate in the cost of providing medical assistance associated with certain items of care and services for Hospital, HMO Inpatient, and Nursing Home care for the county’s eligible Medicaid recipients.

In addition to the above-mentioned state mandated program, Pasco County also participates in the Health Care Responsibility Act (HCRA), first enacted in 1977, which requires counties to pay for out-of-county emergency inpatient hospitalization for indigent residents at participating hospitals, at the established per diem rates.

For additional information on any services provided by Pasco County Human Services, please call any of the service center locations. Click here.