Written & Reviewed by
Last updated: May 4, 2026
Bottom line: Florida has 11 Area Agencies on Aging. In Florida, these agencies also work as Aging and Disability Resource Centers. They are the best first call for many older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers who need help finding meals, rides, in-home help, caregiver support, Medicare counseling, legal help, energy help, or long-term care screening. Start with the statewide Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337, or use the Florida ADRC directory to check your local office before you call.
Quick help table
| Need | Best first step | What to ask for | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meals at home | Call the Elder Helpline | Home-delivered meals and screening | Priority often goes to people who are frail, homebound, or isolated. |
| Help staying at home | Ask your AAA for screening | Community Care for the Elderly, caregiver help, and homemaker help | State-funded services may have waitlists or local limits. |
| Medicaid long-term care | Ask for SMMC LTC screening | CARES medical review and DCF financial review | You must meet medical and financial rules. |
| Medicare questions | Ask for SHINE | Free, unbiased Medicare counseling | SHINE does not sell insurance. |
| Utility shutoff | Ask about EHEAP | Emergency energy help for a home with someone age 60 or older | You need proof of an energy emergency and income may be checked. |
| Rides | Ask the AAA and county transit | Medical rides, senior rides, or volunteer ride options | Ride programs vary by county and may need advance notice. |
If you need help today
Call 911 if someone is in danger, needs urgent medical care, or may be harmed. If you suspect abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect of a vulnerable adult, Florida Adult Protective Services says the Florida Abuse Hotline is open every day and night. Call 1-800-962-2873 or use Adult Protective Services to report concerns safely.
If the problem is urgent but not 911, try these first:
- Elder Helpline: Call 1-800-963-5337 for your local aging office.
- 211: Dial 2-1-1 for food, shelter, utility, mental health, and disaster referrals. You can also use Florida 211 for local help.
- Suicide or crisis support: Call or text 988.
- Facility complaint: Call 1-888-831-0404 if the concern is in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or adult family care home. The Ombudsman program can explain resident rights.
- Storm or shelter planning: If you may need medical help during a storm, sign up early through the Special Needs Registry. Registration does not promise shelter placement, so wait for your county to contact you.
You can also use our senior help tools to make a call checklist, collect phone numbers, and decide what to ask next.
Contents
- Quick help table
- If you need help today
- What Florida AAAs do
- Florida AAA directory
- Programs to ask about
- Florida senior stats
- How to start
- Phone scripts
- Documents checklist
- Reality checks
- Common mistakes
- If you are stuck
- Resumen en español
- FAQ
What Florida Area Agencies on Aging do
Area Agencies on Aging, often called AAAs, do not pay every bill or provide every service themselves. Their main job is to help older adults find the right local door. Florida’s Department of Elder Affairs says the 11 AAAs operate as Aging and Disability Resource Centers, which means they give information, referral, screening, and access help across the state. The state resource directory also lists many aging, health, caregiver, transportation, veterans, and long-term care contacts in one place.
A Florida AAA may help you with:
- Finding meal sites or home-delivered meals.
- Asking for in-home support, homemaker help, respite, or adult day services.
- Starting screening for Medicaid long-term care.
- Finding caregiver support and training.
- Getting Medicare counseling through SHINE.
- Finding legal help for civil problems.
- Finding transportation options.
- Getting help with energy emergencies through EHEAP.
- Planning for storms, heat, and special needs shelter support.
Florida is a large state, and county rules matter. The same program can feel different in Miami, Pensacola, Tampa, Orlando, rural North Florida, and the Keys. Your local AAA can tell you which provider covers your county, what openings exist, and which forms you need now.
Florida Area Agencies on Aging directory
Use this table to find the right office by county. The statewide Elder Helpline, 1-800-963-5337, is still the easiest first call if you are not sure which office serves you. The office details below were checked against the official Florida Department of Elder Affairs directory on May 6, 2026.
| PSA | Agency | Counties served | Phone | Main office |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwest Florida Area Agency on Aging | Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton | 850-494-7101 | Pensacola |
| 2 | Advantage Aging Solutions | Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, Wakulla, Washington | 850-488-0055 or 866-467-4624 | Tallahassee |
| 3 | Elder Options | Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Sumter, Suwannee, Union | 352-378-6649 or 800-262-2243 | Gainesville |
| 4 | ElderSource | Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, St. Johns, Volusia | 904-391-6600 or 888-242-4464 | Jacksonville |
| 5 | Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas | Pasco, Pinellas | 727-570-9696 | St. Petersburg |
| 6 | Senior Connection Center | Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Polk | 813-740-3888 or 800-336-2226 | Tampa |
| 7 | Senior Resource Alliance | Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Seminole | 407-514-0019 | Orlando |
| 8 | Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida | Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee, Sarasota | 239-652-6900 or 866-413-5337 | Fort Myers |
| 9 | Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast | Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, St. Lucie | 561-684-5885 or 866-684-5885 | West Palm Beach |
| 10 | Area Agency on Aging of Broward County | Broward | 954-745-9567 | Sunrise |
| 11 | Alliance for Aging | Miami-Dade, Monroe | 305-670-6500 | Miami |
Programs to ask your Florida AAA about
Meals and nutrition
Florida nutrition programs can include group meals at senior centers, churches, housing sites, and other local places. The Department of Elder Affairs says about 300 congregate sites serve meals in Florida, and meal programs are for Floridians age 60 and older and their spouses. Home-delivered meals, often called Meals on Wheels, are usually for older adults who are homebound, frail, or isolated. Ask your AAA about nutrition sites and use our food programs for seniors guide for backup food steps.
Who may qualify: Meal sites often serve adults age 60 or older and spouses. Home-delivered meals usually need a screening that looks at your health, whether you can shop or cook, and whether you are alone.
Where to apply: Call the Elder Helpline or your local AAA. If food is running out today, call 2-1-1 too.
Reality check: A meal program is not the same as grocery delivery. Some areas have waiting lists, and some ask for a small donation. No one should tell you that you must pay a set fee for an Older Americans Act meal.
Community Care for the Elderly
Community Care for the Elderly, or CCE, is a Florida program for functionally impaired adults age 60 or older. It can include case management, homemaker help, chores, personal care, respite, transportation, supplies, home-delivered meals, and other support. The state says CCE is run through contracts with Area Agencies on Aging and local lead agencies. Ask for CCE program screening if daily tasks are getting hard.
Who may qualify: You must be age 60 or older and functionally impaired, based on an assessment. People referred by Adult Protective Services because of abuse, neglect, or exploitation may get primary consideration for services when immediate help is needed.
Where to apply: Call your local AAA and ask for intake screening for home and community care.
Reality check: CCE is not an open-ended private caregiver program. Funding and service slots can be limited. You may get some help while still needing family, friends, Medicaid, veterans benefits, or paid care.
Home Care for the Elderly
Home Care for the Elderly, or HCE, helps support care for Floridians age 60 or older who live in a family-type home. The state says HCE provides a basic subsidy of $160 per month for program participants, and some people may receive special subsidies for items such as incontinence supplies, ramps, medical supplies, home health aide help, or other support. Ask about the HCE program if a family caregiver is keeping an older adult out of a nursing home.
Who may qualify: The older adult must meet age, income, asset, nursing home risk, and caregiver rules. The state also lists SSI, Qualified Medicare Beneficiary, or Special Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary status in its HCE rules. The caregiver must live with the older adult and be able to provide or arrange care.
Where to apply: Call your local AAA. Ask if HCE is open in your county and what the waitlist looks like.
Reality check: The basic subsidy is small. It may help with support costs, but it will not replace full-time wages for a family caregiver. For more caregiver payment paths, use our Florida caregiver pay guide.
Medicaid long-term care and CARES
Florida’s Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care program, often called SMMC LTC, can cover long-term care services at home, in assisted living, or in a nursing facility when rules are met. The state says care plans may cover services such as adult day care, assisted living facility services, case management, home accessibility changes, home-delivered meals, nursing facility care, personal care, respite, transportation, and more when medically needed. Start with SMMC LTC if the person may need nursing-home-level care.
The CARES program handles the medical level-of-care review for Medicaid long-term care. Financial eligibility is handled by the Department of Children and Families or the Social Security Administration. The CARES program page explains that the assessment is done at no cost to applicants.
Who may qualify: People age 65 or older who are eligible for Medicaid, or adults age 18 or older who qualify for Medicaid because of disability, may qualify if CARES finds nursing-home-level care is needed.
Where to apply: Call your AAA for screening, and use MyACCESS for DCF benefits steps when asked.
Reality check: Do not assume approval is fast. There can be screening, a waitlist, a CARES review, plan choice, and DCF financial checks. If care is urgent, ask the AAA what crisis steps exist in your county.
Medicare counseling through SHINE
SHINE stands for Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders. Florida says SHINE is free, unbiased, and confidential Medicare counseling for Medicare beneficiaries, families, and caregivers. Ask for SHINE counseling if you need help with Medicare Advantage, Part D, Medigap, Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help, billing issues, or a plan change.
Who may qualify: Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers, and families can ask for help. You do not have to buy anything.
Where to apply: Call the Elder Helpline and ask for a SHINE appointment.
Reality check: SHINE counselors help you compare options, but they do not sell plans. If someone pushes you to sign up quickly, slow down and ask SHINE to review it first. Our Medicare Savings guide can help with Florida savings programs.
Energy emergencies through EHEAP
The Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program, or EHEAP, helps low-income households with at least one person age 60 or older when there is a home energy emergency. Florida says an emergency can include a delinquent bill, lack of fuel or wood, or a shutoff notice. EHEAP payments are made to the energy vendor, or by a two-party check to the vendor and client, for electricity, natural gas, propane, fuel oil, kerosene, or wood. Ask your AAA about the EHEAP program if home energy is at risk.
Who may qualify: A household must have a documented heating or cooling emergency, at least one person age 60 or older, and income within program rules. For households with 1 to 8 people, Florida says income is checked against 60% of the State Median Income. Larger households use a separate benefits matrix.
Where to apply: Call the Elder Helpline or your local EHEAP provider through the AAA. If you also need other utility options, our utility bill help guide may help you list backup calls.
Reality check: EHEAP is not a monthly utility payment program. It is for crisis help, and funds can run out. The exact maximum benefit can change, so ask the provider what limit applies when you call.
Legal help and resident rights
The Florida Senior Legal Helpline provides free civil legal advice and brief service by phone for eligible Florida residents age 60 or older. It can help with issues such as housing, consumer problems, advance directives, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, SSI, elder abuse, and relative caregiver matters. Call 1-888-895-7873 or review the Senior Legal Helpline page before you call.
Who may qualify: You must be a Florida resident age 60 or older with a civil legal problem. Callers are screened for income. The helpline says callers are subject to income guidelines but not asset guidelines.
Where to apply: Call 1-888-895-7873 Monday through Friday during listed screening hours.
Reality check: The helpline does not handle criminal, traffic, or personal injury cases. If you are calling for someone else, you may need power of attorney paperwork.
Transportation and safe mobility
Transportation help is very local in Florida. Your AAA may know about medical rides, county paratransit, volunteer rides, senior center vans, or Medicaid plan rides for covered services. You can also search Find a Ride for transportation providers by area.
Who may qualify: Some ride programs serve older adults age 60 or older. Others require disability status, Medicaid plan membership, a medical trip, or paratransit approval.
Where to apply: Call your AAA, county transit office, Medicaid plan, or local senior center.
Reality check: Many rides must be booked ahead of time. Ask how many days are needed, whether a caregiver can ride with you, and what happens if the doctor runs late.
Florida senior stats that matter
Census QuickFacts lists Florida’s July 1, 2025 population estimate at 23,462,518 and says 21.8% of residents are age 65 or older. It also lists 28.7% of Florida residents as Hispanic or Latino and 30.6% of people age 5 and older as speaking a language other than English at home. These facts matter because phone access, language help, transportation, and local waitlists can shape the help a senior gets. You can check the current Census QuickFacts table when you need exact figures.
How to start without wasting time
- Write down the main problem: meals, rides, caregiver break, Medicaid, utility shutoff, legal problem, or storm planning.
- Call the Elder Helpline: Say your county first so the worker can route you.
- Ask for screening: If the need is ongoing, ask if you should be screened for CCE, HCE, SMMC LTC, meals, or caregiver support.
- Ask what is open now: Some programs are full. Ask what has openings and what has a waitlist.
- Ask for backups: If the AAA cannot help right away, ask for 211, food pantry, county transit, legal aid, health plan, or charity options.
- Keep notes: Write the date, person’s name, phone number, and next step.
If you need broader Florida benefit help, start with our Florida benefits guide after you call the AAA. For food money, check our Florida SNAP guide. For rent, repairs, or housing needs, use our Housing help guide. If the need is urgent, our Emergency assistance guide gives faster backup steps.
Phone scripts you can use
Script for calling the Elder Helpline
“Hello, my name is ____. I live in ____ County. I am calling for myself or for _____. The main problem is _____. Can you tell me which Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center serves this county, and can you screen us for programs that may help?”
Script for meals or in-home help
“I am age ____ and I am having trouble with shopping, cooking, bathing, cleaning, or getting out of the house. Can I be screened for home-delivered meals, Community Care for the Elderly, caregiver support, or other in-home help? If there is a waitlist, what backup food or care options should I call today?”
Script for Medicaid long-term care
“I need to ask about Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care. The person needing help is age ____ and lives in ____ County. They need help with ____ daily tasks. What is the first screening step, and who handles the CARES review and DCF financial part?”
Script for Medicare counseling
“I would like a SHINE appointment. I need help with Medicare, drug coverage, Medicare Savings Programs, or a bill. I do not want a sales call. Can a SHINE counselor call me, and what documents should I have ready?”
Documents and information checklist
| Have ready | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Name, date of birth, county, ZIP code, phone number | Helps the AAA route you to the right office and provider. |
| Medicare, Medicaid, or health plan cards | Needed for SHINE, Medicaid, and plan-based services. |
| Income details | Some programs check income or use a sliding scale. |
| Utility shutoff notice or past-due bill | Needed for EHEAP or other energy crisis help. |
| Doctor notes, diagnosis, medicine list, and daily care needs | Useful for CARES, in-home care screening, and caregiver support. |
| Power of attorney or permission to speak | Needed when you call for another adult in many situations. |
| Storm needs list | Helps with special needs shelter planning, oxygen, equipment, and rides. |
Reality checks before you apply
- One call may not solve it: The AAA may screen you, then a local provider may call later.
- Waitlists are real: CCE, HCE, meals, and other services may not start right away.
- Medicaid has two sides: CARES reviews care needs, while DCF or Social Security reviews money rules.
- Storm season changes access: Ask early about shelters, backup power, medicine, and rides.
- County options differ: A service that is open in one county may be full or handled by a different provider in another county.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until a shutoff, hospital discharge, or storm warning to make the first call.
- Asking only for one program instead of asking for a full screening.
- Assuming meals, rides, and home care are automatic for every person over 60.
- Forgetting to ask who will call next and when to follow up.
- Giving money or personal data to someone who claims to “guarantee” benefits.
If you are denied, delayed, or overwhelmed
Ask for the reason in writing when possible. If a program says you do not qualify, ask what rule was used and whether there is an appeal or review step. If you are waiting for services, ask if the office can give you a waitlist estimate and backup options. If the issue is with a Medicaid long-term care plan, ask about plan grievance steps, a fair hearing, and the Independent Consumer Support Program. If the concern is in a nursing home or assisted living facility, call the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-888-831-0404.
If you feel stuck, call 2-1-1 and ask for backup help in your county. A senior center, food pantry, legal aid office, hospital social worker, faith group, or local nonprofit may also give a warm referral. For local meal sites and activity programs, use our Florida senior centers guide.
Resumen en español
Florida tiene 11 Agencias del Área sobre Envejecimiento. También funcionan como Centros de Recursos para Personas Mayores y con Discapacidades. Si usted necesita comida, transporte, ayuda en casa, apoyo para cuidadores, ayuda con Medicare, ayuda legal, energía de emergencia, o información sobre cuidado a largo plazo, llame primero a la línea estatal para personas mayores: 1-800-963-5337.
Cuando llame, diga su condado, su edad, el problema principal y si la situación es urgente. Pregunte si pueden hacer una evaluación para comidas, ayuda en casa, Medicaid de cuidado a largo plazo, SHINE, EHEAP u otros programas locales. Si hay una lista de espera, pida opciones de respaldo en su condado.
Si hay peligro inmediato, llame al 911. Para reportar abuso, negligencia o explotación de un adulto vulnerable, llame al 1-800-962-2873. Si necesita comida, vivienda, servicios públicos, salud mental o ayuda después de un desastre, marque 2-1-1.
FAQ
What is the main phone number for Florida Area Agencies on Aging?
Call the statewide Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337. Give your county and explain what kind of help you need.
Do Florida AAAs give cash grants?
No. AAAs usually connect people to programs, screenings, service providers, meals, caregiver help, Medicare counseling, legal help, or other local resources. Some programs may pay a provider or vendor, but they are not open cash grants.
Can I get Meals on Wheels through my AAA?
Maybe. Ask your AAA for home-delivered meal screening. Priority is often for people who are frail, homebound, or isolated. If food is needed right away, call 2-1-1 too.
How do I start Medicaid long-term care in Florida?
Call your local AAA and ask about SMMC LTC screening. CARES reviews medical level of care, while DCF or Social Security reviews financial eligibility.
Does SHINE sell Medicare plans?
No. SHINE is free, unbiased, and confidential Medicare counseling through Florida’s aging network. Ask the Elder Helpline for a SHINE appointment.
Can a caregiver call for an older adult?
Yes, but some programs may need the older adult’s consent or legal paperwork. Have power of attorney or written permission ready if you have it.
What should I do if my power may be shut off?
Call the Elder Helpline and ask about EHEAP. Also call 2-1-1 for local utility help. Keep the shutoff notice and current bill ready.
Do I need to register for a special needs shelter before a hurricane?
Yes, register early if you may need help because of medical needs, electricity-dependent equipment, disability, or evacuation support. Registration does not guarantee shelter placement, so wait for county follow-up.
About this guide
We check this guide against official government, local agency, and trusted nonprofit sources. GrantsForSeniors.org is independent and is not a government agency.
Program rules, funding, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply.
See something wrong or outdated? Email info@grantsforseniors.org.
Verification: Last verified May 4, 2026. Next review September 5, 2026.
Editorial note: This guide is produced using official government, local agency, and trusted nonprofit sources. It is not affiliated with any government agency, and individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Corrections: Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we will respond within 72 hours.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the official program before acting.
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