Optional State Supplementation (OSS) - provides income assistance from the State of Florida, if you receive SSI, are determined to be eligible by the department or reside in an Assisted Living Facility that accepts state clients. For more information contact your local Department of Children and Families or Aging and Adult Services Office.

Tax Relief  - Real Estate Property Tax - grants homeowners relief under a homestead exemption provision. This exemption allows homeowners (unable to work or retired and live on a fixed income) who holds the legal title and uses the property as a permanent residence., This grant allows the homeowner to subtract $25,000 from the assessed value of the home. If you have any questions on how to obtain these exemptions, you should call your Property Appraiser's office listed in the white pages of your telephone directory under your county's name.

Homestead Property Deferral - this Act permits the real estate tax on a residence that qualifies under the homestead exemption statue to be deferred. You may defer all or part of the property tax and any non ad valorem assessment. Your property will not be foreclosed on as long as all legal requirements are met and no other tax certificates are unpaid. Deferred taxes are treated as a lien on your homestead. While the Homestead Property Tax Deferral Act offers older Floridians relief from property taxes, it is somewhat complicated and should be thoroughly studied and understood before being undertaken. For more information, call the Tax Collector's office of your county.

Nielsen Organ Transplant Foundation - provides financial aid to solid organ and allogeneic bone marrow transplants in the North East Florida area. Contact them at 904-244-9823.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Southern Florida Chapter - the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society offers information and financial aid to patients who have leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, or multiple myeloma. Reimburses up to $500 a year to patients for transportation, chemotherapy drugs, transfusions, and testing not covered by insurance or other sources. Contact them at (954) 961-3234 or toll-free at 800-955-4572.

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families - TANF - provides low income families with children under 18 years old who lack the support of one or both parents with direct financial assistance and referral to Job Search Services to low income families. The amount of assistance is determined by the number of children in the household and income. Recipients are also eligible for Medicaid coverage and are referred to requested social services. Main Phone:  1-888-356-3281  Alternate Phone:  727-834-3900 (west Florida) or 1-352-521-1200 (east Florida). 

Human Crisis Council, Inc. - Operation Blessing - Orlando - provides limited financial assistance for rent or mortgage payments, emergency needs in situations of catastrophic loss (fire, flood, earthquake), utility bills (water, electricity, gas). Requests will only be considered if a letter is attached from a pastoral or agency representative. Payments will be sent directly to the creditor. Call them at 407-294-4704 or look at their web site: www.operationblessing.com.