Winter Garden seniors can apply for utility bill assistance

The city of Winter Garden has revamped its long-standing Utility Bill Assistance for Low Income Seniors Program, lowering the residency and income requirements to increase its reach and provide greater savings.

Changes to the program include reducing the resident requirement to 12 continuous months, updating the income eligibility threshold to mirror federal poverty income guidelines and providing a reduction of up to 90% of base charges on city utility bills.

To enroll in the program, candidates must complete an application and provide required documentation no later than 5 p.m. May 1 as well as meet eligibility requirements. Qualified candidates will receive the cost savings in their utility bills from May through April 2026. Only applicants who do not qualify will be notified. Residents must apply annually for this program.

To be eligible for the savings, residents must be at least 65 years old or 62 and receiving Social Security benefits; they must be a city resident continuously for the past 12 months; the utility bill must be in the applicant’s name and billed directly to the applicant; and the gross household income for the entire household must not exceed 60% of the federal poverty income guidelines.

Residents need to submit several items with their application: current identifications, their 2025 Social Security Benefit Statement or 2024 Federal Income Tax Return, and all other proof of income for the entire household.

Applications are available weekdays at the Winter Garden City Hall reception desk, 300 W. Plant St., or by contacting the Utility Billing Customer Service, (407) 656-4100.