Where do I start finding senior help in Broward County, FL?

Start with three front doors. 211 Broward, First Call for Help (dial 2-1-1 or text 898211), is the free 24/7 routing line. The ADRC Broward Elder Helpline at 954-745-9779 is the aging front door for home-delivered meals, in-home help, caregiver support, and SHINE Medicare counseling. For the senior property tax exemptions, the Broward County Property Appraiser is at 954-357-6830.

What property tax breaks can a senior get in Broward County?

Every Florida homeowner gets the base Homestead Exemption (up to $50,000 off assessed value) plus the Save Our Homes 3 percent cap. On top of that, owners 65 and older with 2025 household adjusted gross income at or below $38,686 get the Low-Income Senior Exemption: $25,000 off the county portion county-wide, and up to $50,000 off the city portion in cities that adopted it. Seniors with 25+ years in a home first valued under $250,000 may also qualify for the Long-Term Residency version, which can wipe out the city portion in adopting cities. Apply with the Property Appraiser (954-357-6830, bcpa.net) by March 2, 2026.

How do older adults in Broward County get meals?

Call the ADRC Elder Helpline at 954-745-9779 to be screened for Home Delivered Meals for residents 60 and older, or call Meals on Wheels South Florida directly at 954-731-8770, which also offers friendly visits, safety checks, and grocery help. For groceries now, Feeding South Florida (feedingsouthflorida.org) runs the region's pantry network, and 211 Broward can point you to the nearest site.

Broward County, FL Senior Help Directory: Fort Lauderdale Programs for Seniors and Families (2026)

Free, plain-English help for seniors and families in Broward County, FL. Education, not advice. Verify before you rely on it.

Start here (works anywhere)

211 (dial 2-1-1), Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116, BenefitsCheckUp.org, Medicare 1-800-633-4227, Social Security 1-800-772-1213, VA 1-800-827-1000, Alzheimer's 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900, National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-372-8311, Crisis Lifeline 988

Three local front doors: 211 Broward (dial 2-1-1, First Call for Help, 24/7) | ADRC Broward Elder Helpline at 954-745-9779 (TTY 954-745-5689) or 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337), the Area Agency on Aging / Aging and Disability Resource Center for Broward | Broward County Family Success Administration Division at 954-357-5025 for energy and emergency help

Property tax relief (apply with the Broward County Property Appraiser, Marty Kiar, 954-357-6830, bcpa.net)

Florida seniors apply for property tax relief through the county Property Appraiser (in Broward, the BCPA). The general homestead filing deadline is March 1; because March 1, 2026 falls on a Sunday, the BCPA posted the 2026 timely-filing deadline as March 2, 2026. Broward County has adopted the local-option senior exemptions below, but the exact extra savings can vary by which city (or unincorporated area) the home sits in, so confirm with the BCPA.

Standard Homestead Exemption (statewide, any qualifying primary residence): up to $50,000 off the assessed value of a permanent primary residence, plus the Save Our Homes cap that limits how much the assessed value can rise each year to 3 percent or the change in the CPI, whichever is lower. This is the base benefit before any senior exemption, and it renews automatically once approved.

Low-Income Senior Exemption (age 65 and older): an additional exemption on top of the standard homestead for owners who meet all of these:

The property already receives the Homestead Exemption.
At least one owner is 65 or older as of January 1.
The total combined household adjusted gross income was at or below $38,686 for the prior year (2025), the figure set annually by the Florida Department of Revenue and adjusted every January for cost of living. This limit changes every year. Apply with Form DR-501 plus the Household Income Sworn Statement, Form DR-501SC. County-wide it takes $25,000 off the county portion of the bill, and cities that adopted it add up to $50,000 off their city portion. It never touches the School Board portion.

Long-Term Residency Senior Exemption (25 or more years in the home): for low-income seniors who have lived in the same home a long time, this can eliminate the city portion of the tax bill in Broward cities that adopted it (ask the BCPA whether your city did). It does not remove the school taxes. In addition to the Low-Income Senior rules above, it requires:

Having lived in the home for at least 25 years.
A home just (market) value under $250,000 in the first year the owner applied and qualified.
The same $38,686 household income limit. Apply with Form DR-501 and Form DR-501SC.

Statewide disabled-veteran and disability benefits: Florida also gives a full property tax exemption on the homestead of a veteran with a total and permanent service-connected disability (and to some surviving spouses), a $5,000 exemption for a veteran with a 10 percent or greater disability, and exemptions for owners who are totally and permanently disabled or legally blind. Ask the BCPA which ones fit.

The one move: call the BCPA at 954-357-6830 (or apply online at bcpa.net) before the March deadline to confirm this year's income limit, ask whether your city adopted the senior exemption and how much it saves, and have them check you for the Low-Income Senior Exemption and the Long-Term Residency Senior Exemption at the same time.

Food

The Area Agency on Aging of Broward County provides year-round Home Delivered Meals through contracted providers for residents 60 and older (and a caregiver living with a senior). To qualify, call the ADRC Helpline at 954-745-9779. The ADRC also runs an Emergency Meal Program, a temporary program for homebound residents or those at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level, with choices like puree, kosher, gluten-free, Cuban, and American meals.
Meals on Wheels South Florida (954-731-8770, mowsoflo.org) is a nonprofit that delivers meals, does friendly visits and safety checks, and helps with grocery shopping for homebound Broward seniors.
SNAP (food stamps) is based on income, not age. Apply any time through Florida's ACCESS system at myaccess.myflfamilies.com or 1-866-762-2237. The ADRC can help older adults apply.
Feeding South Florida is the regional food bank (headquartered in Broward, Pembroke Park); find the nearest pantry through its online pantry locator, by dialing 211, or through the ADRC Helpline.

Energy and utility help

LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) in Broward is run by the county's Family Success Administration Division. Income-qualified households under the county's posted guidelines (for example, $32,155 for a one-person household) can receive yearly electric-bill assistance, with the amount depending on income and household size; applications go through the state's floridaliheap.com portal (mail-in applications are no longer accepted). Broward moved to an online-only application (mail-in is no longer accepted). Call the LIHEAP call center at 954-357-5025 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) for current opening and closing dates and to apply, or visit broward.org/FamilySuccess.
FPL offers bill-assistance programs and its Care to Share emergency fund for income-qualified customers (fpl.com/help).
For a past-due bill, dial 211 to find a church ministry, the Salvation Army, or another local fund with emergency utility money.

Medicare, Medicaid, prescriptions

Florida's SHIP (free Medicare counseling) is SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders), delivered locally by ADRC Broward. SHINE volunteers give free, unbiased, confidential one-on-one help with Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Part D drug plans, Medigap, enrollment, appeals, long-term-care insurance, and fraud. Call ADRC Broward at 954-745-9779 or the statewide Elder Helpline 1-800-963-5337. Start here before any Medicare decision.
Medicaid in Florida (including long-term-care coverage and the programs that help pay Medicare costs) is applied for through the Department of Children and Families ACCESS system: myaccess.myflfamilies.com or 1-866-762-2237.
Medicare Savings Programs (help paying Part A and B premiums) and Extra Help / the Low-Income Subsidy (lower Part D drug costs) are screened through SHINE (954-745-9779), Social Security (1-800-772-1213), and ACCESS. Florida does not run a general statewide senior drug program, so ask SHINE about Extra Help and use BenefitsCheckUp.org to find manufacturer and nonprofit patient-assistance programs for specific drugs.

Home repair and safety

ADRC Broward Minor Home Repairs: the Home Repair program provides carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and other minor repairs needed to preserve health and safety for clients 60 or older in owner-occupied homes, with priority to low-income older adults. Call the ADRC Helpline at 954-745-9779 to ask about home-assistance programs.
Weatherization for income-qualified Broward homeowners and tenants (insulation, air-sealing, and energy-efficiency measures at no cost) is delivered through agencies such as Centro Campesino. The Minority Builders Coalition also does no-cost home repairs for Broward seniors. Ask the ADRC Helpline (954-745-9779) or dial 211 for the current provider and intake.
Broward County Housing and Urban Planning Division runs owner-occupied home-repair and rehabilitation programs (broward.org/Housing).
If the home is in a rural, unincorporated area, the USDA Section 504 Home Repair program offers low-interest repair loans, and grants for owners 62 and older who cannot repay a loan, to fix health and safety hazards.

Rent, housing, emergency cash

211 Broward (dial 2-1-1, First Call for Help) is the fastest route to emergency help with rent and utilities and will point you to the nonprofit, community agency, or church ministry with money available now, 24 hours a day.
Broward County Family Success Administration Division (954-357-5025) runs community programs and emergency assistance, and the Salvation Army and other Broward charities run emergency rent and utility help.
For Medicaid, SNAP, and cash assistance (TANF), apply through Florida ACCESS at myaccess.myflfamilies.com or 1-866-762-2237.

Transportation

TOPS! (Transportation Options) is Broward County Transit's ADA paratransit: shared-ride service for people whose physical, cognitive, emotional, or visual disability functionally prevents them from using the regular fixed-route bus. Riders go through an eligibility determination. One companion may ride along, picked up and dropped at the same address and time. For an application or information, call 954-357-8400 (fax 954-357-6794).
Reduced fares and bus passes: seniors, youth, students, and riders with disabilities may qualify for reduced fixed-route fare, and low-income residents may qualify for the Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Bus Pass Program. Ask BCT Customer Service, or the ADRC Broward Helpline (954-745-9779), which also lists senior transportation options.
Dial 211 to find volunteer driver networks and rides to meal sites, medical appointments, and adult day programs.

Legal help

Florida's Senior Legal Helpline gives free legal advice and brief services by phone to Florida residents age 60 and older on civil matters (powers of attorney, wills, Medicaid and public benefits, housing, consumer problems, and scams). Call 1-888-895-7873.
Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida (954-736-2400) runs a Senior Citizen Law Project giving free civil legal help to Broward County residents 60 and older. Legal Aid Service of Broward County (browardlegalaid.org, intake 954-765-8950) is a separate organization offering free civil legal help to income-qualified residents. Coast to Coast's Mobile Justice Squad is a mobile law office that goes to homebound and transportation-challenged seniors at home or at their local senior center. Call 954-736-2400 (Monday to Friday) and tell the intake specialist you are homebound to ask about the Mobile Justice Squad.
The Legal Aid Service of Broward County provides free civil legal help to qualifying lower-income residents on other matters; dial 211 or ask the ADRC Helpline (954-745-9779) for the right office.

Caregiver support

ADRC Broward runs a Family Caregiver Support Program for people caring for an adult 60 or older (or a person with dementia): information, one-on-one support, caregiver education, and respite (a paid break for the caregiver). Reach it through the ADRC Helpline at 954-745-9779.
The Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline (1-800-272-3900) is there any hour for dementia caregiving questions, and 211 can point you to local support groups.

Staying at home instead of a nursing home

Florida Medicaid pays for in-home care (personal care, adult day care, respite, and other supports) through its Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care program for older adults who meet a nursing-home level of care but can live safely at home. Broward also runs the state Community Care for the Elderly program through the county's Elderly and Veterans Services Division (954-357-6622), with the ADRC Helpline as the screening front door. Ask ADRC Broward (954-745-9779) or the Elder Helpline (1-800-963-5337) to start a screening, and apply for Medicaid through ACCESS (myaccess.myflfamilies.com or 1-866-762-2237). There is often a wait list, so start early.
PACE (the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) wraps all medical care, therapy, an adult day center, home care, and prescriptions into one program for people 55 and older who meet a nursing-home level of care but can live at home with help. Broward has two PACE options that split the county: Florida PACE Centers (an affiliate of Miami Jewish Health; enrollment 786-933-7223; Miramar site at 2814 Corporate Way) serves south Broward, including Hollywood, Hallandale, Miramar, and Pembroke Pines, and Broward PACE (a collaboration between Broward Health and Florida PACE Centers by Miami Jewish Health; enrollment 954-787-0191; 1700 NW 49th Street, Fort Lauderdale) serves central and northern Broward north of Stirling Road. Enrollment usually requires Medicaid eligibility and is by ZIP-code service area; ask either program, the ADRC (954-745-9779), or Florida Medicaid.
Home-delivered meals, in-home help, and paratransit rides also help an older adult stay in the home longer.

Frequently asked questions

Mom is 70 in Fort Lauderdale on a fixed income. Can she lower her property taxes? Likely yes. On top of the standard homestead exemption (up to $50,000 off plus the Save Our Homes cap), Broward adopted the additional Low-Income Senior Exemption for owners 65 and older whose combined household income was at or below $38,686 last year. If she has lived in the home 25 years or more and its value was under $250,000 the first year she qualified, the Long-Term Residency Senior Exemption can eliminate the city portion of her bill in cities that adopted it. Call the BCPA at 954-357-6830 before the March deadline and have them check her for both.

Dad is homebound in Broward and can't cook. How do we get him meals? Call the ADRC Broward Helpline at 954-745-9779 about Home Delivered Meals for residents 60 and older, or its Emergency Meal Program if he needs food right away. Meals on Wheels South Florida (954-731-8770) also delivers. For a pantry, dial 211 or search the Feeding South Florida locator.

My parent can't drive and needs rides to the doctor. What is available? If a disability keeps your parent from riding the regular BCT bus, apply for TOPS! paratransit by calling 954-357-8400. Seniors may also qualify for reduced fixed-route fare or the Transportation Disadvantaged Bus Pass Program, and the ADRC (954-745-9779) can help with senior transportation. Dial 211 for volunteer driver help.

How does mom get help paying her electric bill in Broward? Through LIHEAP, run by the county's Family Success Administration Division. Call 954-357-5025 for current application dates and apply online (Broward no longer takes mail-in applications). FPL also has bill-assistance programs, and 211 can find other emergency utility funds.

Sources

Broward County Property Appraiser (Marty Kiar), Low-Income Senior's Additional Homestead Exemption: 65+ as of Jan 1, has Homestead, combined household AGI at or below $38,686 for 2025 (set annually by Florida DOR, adjusted each January), Long-Term Residency add-on (25+ years, just value under $250,000 first qualifying year), Forms DR-501 and DR-501SC, 2026 filing deadline posted as March 2: https://bcpa.net/senior_instructions.asp . Verified July 7, 2026.
Florida Dept. of Revenue, Property Tax Benefits for Persons 65 or Older (PT-110) and Form DR-501SC: https://floridarevenue.com/property/Documents/pt110.pdf and https://floridarevenue.com/property/Documents/dr501sc.pdf . Verified July 7, 2026.
Area Agency on Aging of Broward County / ADRC Broward (Areawide Council on Aging), Elder Helpline 954-745-9779 (TTY 954-745-5689), 1-800-96-ELDER, SHINE Medicare counseling: https://www.adrcbroward.org/ and https://www.adrcbroward.org/medicare-counseling-shine/ . Verified July 7, 2026.
ADRC Broward Home Delivered Meals and Emergency Meal Program (60+, call 954-745-9779): https://www.adrcbroward.org/meals-food-assistance/ . Meals on Wheels South Florida 954-731-8770: https://www.mowsoflo.org/ . Verified July 7, 2026.
Broward County Family Success Administration Division LIHEAP (online-only, about $150-$900/year, call center 954-357-5025): https://www.broward.org/FamilySuccess/Pages/LowIncomeHomeEnergyProgram.aspx . Verified July 7, 2026.
Broward County Transit TOPS! ADA paratransit (eligibility/application 954-357-8400) and reduced-fare / TD Bus Pass programs: https://www.broward.org/BCT/Pages/Accessibility-Services.aspx . Verified July 7, 2026.
Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, Senior Citizen Law Project and Mobile Justice Squad (60+, Broward, 954-736-2400): https://www.coasttocoastlegalaid.org/what-we-do/senior-law/ . Florida Senior Legal Helpline 1-888-895-7873: https://bals.org/senior-legal-helpline . Verified July 7, 2026.
ADRC Broward Minor Home Repairs and Home Assistance (60+, 954-745-9779): https://www.adrcbroward.org/home-assistance/ and https://www.adrcbroward.org/minor-home-repairs . Verified July 7, 2026.
Florida PACE Centers, Miramar site (2814 Corporate Way, Miramar FL 33025), 55+, nursing-home level of care, Medicaid, ZIP-based service area: https://www.floridapacecenters.org/who-can-enroll/ . Broward PACE (Broward Health + Florida PACE Centers collaboration, enrollment 954-787-0191): https://www.browardpaceprogram.org/ . Verified July 7, 2026.
Florida ACCESS / Medicaid (myaccess.myflfamilies.com, 1-866-762-2237): https://www.myflfamilies.com/ . Verified July 7, 2026.

Verified July 7, 2026. Program names, phone numbers, income limits, and deadlines change. Confirm directly with each program before you rely on it.

Ryan Riggins, NC Real Estate License #361546, eXp Realty. Riggins Strategic Solutions is an education and media company, not a real estate sales business. Not financial, tax, medical, or legal advice. Programs and contacts change, confirm directly before relying on them.