Lee County, FL Senior Help Directory: Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres Programs for Seniors and Families (2026)

Q: Dad is homebound in Lehigh Acres and cannot cook. Who brings him meals?

Two calls, in this order. Community Cooperative runs Meals on Wheels of Southwest Florida countywide at 239-337-1055, delivering daily with a safety and security check, and it will also supply food for his dog or cat. Then call Senior Friendship Centers at 239-275-1881 and ask to be assessed through the Elder Helpline for home delivered meals, and ask which of its 10 Lee County dining sites are open, since it has sites in Lehigh Acres and several have not returned to pre-pandemic operation. Also ask the Salvation Army Lehigh Acres Service Center at 239-491-6071 about its monthly food bag and frozen meat, available Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Q: The power bill is past due and my mother is 84 in Cape Coral. Who do I call first?

Because she is over 60, EHEAP first. The state's provider list names Senior Friendship Center for Lee County at 239-387-5642, eheaplee@friendshipcenters.org, and you can also reach it through the Elder Helpline at 1-866-413-5337, which is the number FPL publishes for Lee County EHEAP. EHEAP needs a documented crisis such as a shut-off notice, and a household can receive more than one crisis benefit in a program year. In parallel, apply for LIHEAP through Lee County Human and Veteran Services at 239-533-7900, and know before you start that Cape Coral is LCEC territory in most cases, so have the bill in front of you when the application asks you to pick your utility. Also ask the Salvation Army at 239-334-3745 about FPL Care To Share. Do not print any dollar figure you find for EHEAP into your plan, including the one on the provider's own website, which still carries a note that expired in 2021. Ask what the cap is this year.

Q: My mother stopped driving. She is 72 and lives in North Fort Myers. What are her options?

If she can still ride a regular bus, LeeTran costs her 75 cents a trip instead of $1.50, and a 31-day pass is $23. She needs a reduced fare TropiCard, obtained by bringing proof of age and a photo ID to the Rosa Parks Transportation Center, 2250 Widman Way, Fort Myers, weekdays 8 to 5, and she must show it every time she boards. If a regular bus will not work, be realistic about the two paratransit doors: Passport ADA requires a disability that prevents fixed-route use, with both ends of the trip within three quarters of a mile of a route, and the Transportation Disadvantaged program requires household income at or below 225 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, which for 2026 is $35,910 for one person. Age 72 by itself opens neither. Call 239-533-0300. If she does qualify for TD on income, ask about the free 30-day or 31-day bus pass in the same call.

Q: My husband has dementia and I have not had an evening off in a year. What is available in Lee County?

Three things, in this order. Call Senior Friendship Centers at 239-275-1881 and ask about RELIEF, which is free respite offered specifically during nights and weekends rather than only during business hours. Second, call the Area Agency on Aging at 1-866-413-5337 and ask about TCARE and Savvy Caregiver, the six-session program built for dementia caregivers. Third, if the diagnosis itself is unclear or the care plan has stalled, the Lee Physicians Group Memory Care Clinic at 12600 Creekside Lane, Suite 7, Fort Myers, 239-343-9220 is one of Florida's state-designated memory disorder clinics and it is right here. And if a full-day program is what you actually need, Hope PACE runs adult day centers in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres, at 239-985-6400. The Alzheimer's Association helpline at 1-800-272-3900 is answered at 3 a.m., which is usually when you need it.

Free, plain-English help for seniors and families in Lee 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: the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, 2830 Winkler Avenue, Suite 112, Fort Myers, FL 33916, main line 239-652-6900, whose Elder Helpline is 1-866-413-5337 (1-866-41-ELDER), Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Senior Friendship Centers of Lee County, 12734 Kenwood Lane, Unit 85, Fort Myers, FL 33907, 239-275-1881, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | United Way 211 of Lee, Hendry and Glades, dial 2-1-1 or 239-433-3900, answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, English and Spanish

Lee County has an advantage most Florida counties do not, and it is worth understanding before you start dialing. The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida is headquartered here, in Fort Myers. It covers Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Sarasota counties, and it is the state's designated Aging and Disability Resource Center for the region. Families in the other six counties are calling into Lee County when they dial that helpline. For you it is a local office. That one number, 1-866-413-5337, is where eligibility gets determined for home delivered meals, where SHINE Medicare counseling is scheduled, where the caregiver programs live, and where the Medicaid long-term care process begins.

Senior Friendship Centers of Lee County is the other half of that answer, and the relationship between the two is the thing to understand. Each Area Agency on Aging designates lead agencies that actually deliver services in each county, chosen through a competitive process and monitored against state standards. For Lee County, that lead agency is Senior Friendship Centers, at 12734 Kenwood Lane, Unit 85 in Fort Myers. So the Area Agency determines and oversees, and Senior Friendship Centers does. Case management, home delivered meals, dining sites, caregiver respite, and the elder energy program all run out of 239-275-1881. If you only write down two numbers from this page, write down those two.

Lee County's own front counter for government services is Lee County Human and Veteran Services, 2440 Thompson Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901, 239-533-7900. That is the office behind the electric bill program, the home repair program, and the housing programs further down this page.

Two more numbers belong on the refrigerator. The Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873 takes reports of abuse, neglect, exploitation or self-neglect of a vulnerable adult, 24 hours a day, TTY 711 or 1-800-955-8771. Press 2 for the vulnerable adult line. And the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-888-831-0404 is who you call about a nursing home or assisted living facility, rather than the facility's own management.

Before hurricane season, do this one thing, and do it early. Lee County Emergency Management runs a Special Medical Needs Program, free to all county residents, that provides shelter for people whose home is not safe from surge or wind and transportation to a shelter for those with no way to get there. Apply online at shelterapp.leegov.com or call 239-533-0640. Read these rules before you assume you are covered. The county stops processing applications once Lee County enters the seven-day forecast cone of a storm, so a form filed when the news gets scary is a form filed too late. You must update your registration every year by calling 239-533-0640. Registering does not guarantee a space, because the Department of Health reviews each application and assigns you to a shelter that can manage your needs. You need a companion or caregiver with you the entire time you shelter, because staffing is limited. The Special Medical Needs Shelter is built for people whose medical needs require electricity, such as oxygen, dialysis, ventilators or nebulizers. And here is the detail that changes minds: you can bring your dog or cat with you to the Special Medical Needs Shelter. They are housed in a separate area, but you have access to them for feeding, walking and company. If a parent has been refusing to evacuate because of a pet, that is the sentence to read out loud.

Property tax relief (apply with the Lee County Property Appraiser, 239-533-6100, 2480 Thompson Street)

Florida seniors apply for property tax relief through the county Property Appraiser, not the Tax Collector. In Lee County that is Matt Caldwell, 2480 Thompson Street, 4th Floor, Fort Myers, FL 33901, mailing address P.O. Box 1546, Fort Myers, FL 33902, phone 239-533-6100, open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Standard Homestead Exemption (statewide): you must be a Florida resident who owns and occupies the property as a permanent residence on January 1 of the year you are claiming, and the filing deadline is March 1. After the first year the annual increase in assessed value is capped, and that cap is Save Our Homes, which over a decade is usually worth more than any exemption below.

One statewide change worth knowing. Florida voters approved Amendment 5 in November 2024, which indexes the second $25,000 slice of the standard homestead exemption to inflation for every levy other than school districts. The Property Appraiser published the figure as $25,722 for the 2025 tax year, based on a 2.9 percent CPI adjustment. It is recalculated every January 1 and by law never falls below $25,000. Ask the office for the current year's number rather than trusting an old one, and note that no application is required. If you already have homestead, you already have it.

Now the senior exemptions, and this is where Lee County is genuinely better than most. Florida law lets each county and each city decide, by local ordinance, whether to grant one or both additional homestead exemptions to low-income seniors. The exemption applies only to the millage of the government that adopted it, and never to school taxes. Most counties adopt one. Lee County adopted both. The Property Appraiser publishes the list plainly:

All Lee County millages: $50,000 and up to $250,000
Town of Fort Myers Beach: $50,000 and up to $250,000
Village of Estero: $50,000 and up to $250,000
City of Cape Coral: $50,000
City of Fort Myers: $25,000
City of Bonita Springs: $25,000
City of Sanibel: $25,000

Read that first line carefully, because it applies to every homesteaded property in the county regardless of city. The "up to $250,000" is the long-term residency exemption, and it is not a $250,000 deduction. It is an exemption equal to the entire assessed value of the property, available to an owner 65 or older who has maintained permanent residence on the property for at least 25 years and whose home has a just value under $250,000. Where it applies, it can wipe out that government's entire levy. Against the county's own millage, a qualifying 25-year Lee County homeowner can go to zero.

So a Fort Myers homeowner and a Fort Myers Beach homeowner, same age, same income, same 25 years in place, get different results on the city half of the bill and the same result on the county half. The Fort Myers Beach resident gets both exemptions against the town levy. The City of Fort Myers resident gets $25,000 against the city levy. Both get the county's full treatment against county millages. Give the Property Appraiser your exact street address and ask which taxing authorities on that specific bill adopted which version.

The requirements and the paperwork. You must already qualify for or receive homestead exemption, at least one owner must be 65 or older, and total household adjusted gross income must not exceed $38,686 for 2026. That figure is set annually by the Florida Department of Revenue and was $37,694 for 2025 and $36,614 for 2024. The income limitation is adjusted every January 1 by the consumer price index.

Two deadlines, not one, and the second is the one people miss. The Sworn Statement of Adjusted Gross Income of Household, form DR-501SC, is due to the Property Appraiser on or before March 1. Then a copy of your current year's tax return and W-2 for all persons residing in the home, excluding renters and boarders, must be submitted no later than June 1. Missing that June date after clearing the March one is a real way to lose the exemption.

If nobody in the household files a tax return, there is a separate path and it is easy to get wrong. Complete the same Sworn Statement, then complete lines 1 through 4 of IRS Form 4506 and sign it, which verifies non-filing at no fee. Submit the Sworn Statement, proof of age, and the Form 4506 by March 1, then submit a copy of your Social Security Statement, the SSA-1099, by June 1. Social Security mails the SSA-1099 by February.

And if you already missed March 1, do not give up on the year. The Property Appraiser states that statutory provisions govern late filing and income verification, and its instruction is to file as soon as possible so the office can approve the application in accordance with Florida law. Waiting until next year when you could have filed late is the more expensive mistake.

A separate office handles the bill. The Lee County Tax Collector, Noelle Branning, 2480 Thompson Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901, 239-533-6000, cannot grant exemptions but runs the move that helps most on a fixed income: the quarterly installment plan. If estimated taxes exceed $100 per notice, you can split the bill into four payments by applying between November 1 and April 30. The first installment is due June 30 with a 6 percent discount, the second September 30 at 4.5 percent, the third December 31 at 3 percent, and the fourth March 31 with no discount. Lee County gives you a grace period other counties do not: if you miss that first June 30 payment, you may still pay through July 31, losing the discount but keeping your place. Miss July 31 and you are dropped from the plan. Once enrolled, you do not reapply each year as long as the first installment is paid annually. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday.

Food

Meals on Wheels of Southwest Florida is run by Community Cooperative, main office 3429 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33916, mailing address P.O. Box 2143, Fort Myers, FL 33902. The Meals on Wheels program line is 239-337-1055, main office 239-332-7687, email MOW@CommunityCooperative.com. Volunteers deliver daily nutritious meals plus a friendly safety and security check to homebound neighbors who cannot shop and cook for themselves, serving more than 1,000 people. Eligibility covers seniors, adults with disabilities, and chronically ill adults, and it is available short term while recovering from surgery or illness as well as long term.
One detail no other meal program on this page offers: Community Cooperative also provides food and care products for the client's pets. For an older adult who has been splitting their own groceries with a dog, that is not a small thing. Apply online or print the PDF application and mail, email or fax it.
Senior Friendship Centers of Lee County is the second door, and it is the one the Elder Helpline routes through. It delivers meals to isolated seniors and operates 10 dining sites across Lee County, in Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Bonita Springs, where the 60 and over crowd gets a nutritious lunch plus activities. Call 239-275-1881. Call before you drive. The organization states plainly that some programs and dining sites were suspended or sunsetted during COVID and asks you to call to find out which are currently open.
Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida is the regional food bank, 3760 Fowler St., Fort Myers, FL 33901, 239-334-7007, open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Ask for the right program by name, because the food bank runs two and only one of them serves Lee County. The Care and Share Senior Feeding Program supplements the diets of more than 2,200 low-income seniors in Charlotte, Collier and Lee counties, for people aged 55 and over, with pre-packaged kits of easy-to-prepare meals and shelf-stable fruits, vegetables, proteins, cheeses and grains, supplemented with fresh produce and frozen meat when available. The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), the monthly federal box for seniors 60 and older, is distributed at sites in Glades and Hendry counties, not Lee. Both are reached at 239-334-7007.
The Salvation Army of Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties runs the Red Shield Food Distribution Center at 2476 Edison Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33901, providing one box of food per family per month, and the Red Shield Diner at 2400 Edison Avenue, where anyone in the community who is hungry is invited to dinner. Its Outreach Service Center is at 2450 Edison Avenue, 239-334-3745, with walk-ins accepted Wednesday through Friday.
Two more Salvation Army pantries, closer to home for many. The Lehigh Acres Service Center, 25 Homestead Road, Unit 42A, Lehigh Acres, FL 33936, 239-491-6071, open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, provides food bags and frozen meat once a month, 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m. The Bonita Springs Service Center, 26820 Old US 41, Bonita Springs, FL 34135, 239-948-5200, runs its pantry Tuesdays, including an evening window from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., with all services offered in English and Spanish. Both ask each household to complete an annual intake.
SNAP (food stamps) is based on income, not age. Apply any time through Florida's MyACCESS portal at myaccess.myflfamilies.com or call 850-300-4323. The Salvation Army's Lehigh Acres center will help you apply for or renew Food Stamps and Medicaid by appointment, at 239-491-6071, which for many people is the difference between an approval and an abandoned application.

Energy and utility help

Lee County splits energy help by age, and it also splits by which electric company serves your house. Sort out both before you make a call.

EHEAP is the 60 and older program. The Florida Department of Elder Affairs provider list names Senior Friendship Center for Lee County, at 12734 Kenwood Lane, Unit 85, Fort Myers, FL 33907, contact Christin Jones, eheaplee@friendshipcenters.org, phone 239-387-5642. FPL's own assistance-by-county page lists the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, 1-866-413-5337, as the EHEAP contact for Lee County. Either route gets you into the same program. EHEAP requires at least one person 60 or older in the household, household income at or below 60 percent of State Median Income, and a documented heating or cooling emergency, meaning a delinquent bill, a shut-off notice, or lack of fuel or wood. Payment goes directly to the utility, not to you, and eligible households may receive more than one crisis benefit per program year up to a cap set by FloridaCommerce.
Do not trust any dollar figure you read for EHEAP, including on the provider's own website. Senior Friendship Centers still publishes a benefit description with a COVID-era note that expired in September 2021. No reliable current per-county amount is published anywhere. Ask the office what the cap is this year.
LIHEAP is the general electric bill program, and in Lee County the county government runs it directly. Apply through Lee County Human and Veteran Services, 2440 Thompson Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901, 239-533-7900, or email LIHEAP@leegov.com. Applications are submitted online. Eligibility is Lee County residency, U.S. citizenship or qualified immigration status, an obligation to pay a utility bill directly or non-subsidized rent that includes utilities, and gross countable household income not exceeding 60 percent of the current Florida State Median Income for households of 1 to 8 people, or 150 percent of the federal poverty level for households of 9 or more.
Know your utility before you open the application, because the first screen asks. Lee County has two electric providers and the county's own instructions name both: select "Lee County Electric Cooperative" for an LCEC account, "Florida Power and Light Company" for an FPL account, and "My utility is not listed here" for anything else. LCEC customer service is 239-656-2300. Pull out the bill and look before you start.
FPL Care To Share is administered locally by the Salvation Army at 239-334-3745, which is the number FPL publishes for Lee County. It is a hardship fund separate from LIHEAP and worth asking about in the same call. The Salvation Army's Lehigh Acres center handles emergency power assistance for both FPL and LCEC accounts, by appointment, at 239-491-6071.
Fraud warning straight from the county. Lee County Human and Veteran Services states that no payments of any kind, money, cash or checks, will ever be requested or accepted by an office employee. If any staff member asks you for money, report it immediately to the Family Impact Program Manager at 239-533-2906. Older applicants are the ones targeted by people impersonating benefit workers.
Weatherization is the permanent fix, and in Lee County it is run by an agency four hours away. The Florida Weatherization Assistance Program subgrantee covering Lee County is Centro Campesino, which weatherizes homes in Lee along with thirteen other counties. Contact Marixa Figueroa at 305-245-7738, ext. 236, mfigueroa@ccfcfl.org, or Carolina Orezzoli at ext. 235. The 305 area code is correct and is not a wrong number. Work is done by Florida-licensed contractors and inspected by both Centro Campesino and local code enforcement, at no cost to eligible low-income homeowners or tenants. Household income may not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level, and preference is given to residents 60 and older, people with disabilities, families with children under 12, and households with a high energy burden.
Be clear about what weatherization is not. Centro Campesino states it plainly: weatherization is not home repairs or renovations, and is only intended to reduce the household's energy burden through efficiency measures such as insulation and solar reflective coating. For a leaking roof, see the home repair section below. Also note the income limits posted on its page reference the 2024-2025 program year, so ask for the current figures rather than ruling yourself out on a stale number.
For a past-due bill right now, dial 2-1-1 or 239-433-3900, answered around the clock. They keep the current list of church ministries and local funds that still have utility money this month.

Medicare, Medicaid, prescriptions

Florida's SHIP, the free Medicare counseling program, is SHINE, Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders, and in this region it is delivered by the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida. Counseling is free, personalized, unbiased and confidential, and the counselors are trained volunteers who are not affiliated with any insurance company and neither sell nor recommend insurance of any type. They handle enrollment decisions, coverage evaluations, screening for cost-savings programs, problem solving, and claims and appeals. Call 1-866-413-5337. Counselors are available year-round, in person and by webinar. The statewide program site is floridashine.org.
Use them before Fall Open Enrollment, not during the panic. Open enrollment runs October 15 to December 7. Around September you will start receiving notices about changes to your coverage for the coming year. Read those notices, then call SHINE, rather than waiting for a mailer from a plan to make the decision for you.
SMP, the Senior Medicare Patrol, is the fraud side of the same house. Report suspected Medicare fraud, errors or abuse through the statewide Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337, which is 1-800-96-ELDER.
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 at myaccess.myflfamilies.com or 850-300-4323. The same single application covers SNAP food assistance and Temporary Cash Assistance.
Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help, the Low-Income Subsidy that lowers Part D drug costs, are screened through SHINE (1-866-413-5337), Social Security (1-800-772-1213), and MyACCESS. 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 medications.

Home repair and safety

This is the section where Lee County addresses matter more than anywhere else on this page. There are three separate home repair programs, and which one you can use is decided by which side of a city line your parent's house sits on. Get this wrong and you spend a month in the wrong queue.

If the home is in unincorporated Lee County: the county's Home Repair Assistance Program, through Human and Veteran Services, 239-533-7900, HVSHousing@leegov.com. Apply online and select the "Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation" option, which is the step people miss. Eligible repairs are roof repair or replacement, plumbing, septic repair or replacement, heating and air conditioning, well repair or replacement, window replacement, electrical, and door repair or replacement. The minimum assistance amount is $1,000, and the money is secured as a deferred mortgage you must own and occupy the home through.

The county's requirements are specific and worth reading before you apply. You must live in unincorporated Lee County, not within a city. You must have owned and continuously lived in the home for at least the past 12 months, have annual income at or below HUD's income levels for Lee County, be current on all mortgages, property taxes and homeowner association fees, obtain hazard and flood insurance if applicable, and the property must be homesteaded and free of excessive clutter. It cannot be listed for sale, cannot be in bankruptcy, foreclosure or probate, and everyone listed on the deed must live there. Excluded: maintenance-type repairs, married couples living separately, mobile homes on rented or leased lots, and mold damage exceeding one square foot.

If the home is in the City of Fort Myers: the city runs its own Home Repair and Rehabilitation program out of the Housing Division, 1825 Hendry St., Fort Myers, FL 33901, 239-321-7970. It is aimed at repairs that improve health, safety and structural integrity, emergency repairs receive priority, and the maximum assistance is $15,000 as a grant. A grant, not a deferred loan, is a meaningfully different thing for an older homeowner, and it is the reason a Fort Myers address is worth confirming before you assume the county program is the answer. Requirements mirror the county's: city residency, HUD income limits for Lee County, occupancy, current mortgage and taxes, hazard and flood insurance, homesteaded, free of excessive clutter, no bankruptcy, foreclosure or probate. Maintenance-type repairs are not eligible.

If the home is in Cape Coral: there are two doors and neither is the county. The City of Cape Coral partners with Rebuilding Together Greater Florida to provide no-cost home repairs for income-eligible homeowners, including essential repairs, accessibility upgrades, roofing, plumbing and electrical work, plus disaster readiness and recovery support. Check eligibility and apply at RTGFL.org, or call 239-229-6392 for help with the application. To qualify you must own and live in the home, not own other residential property, meet income requirements, and be current on mortgage and property taxes.

The second Cape Coral door is the Emergency Owner Occupied Home Repair Program, run by Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties in partnership with the city, 239-652-4663, homerepairs@habitat4humanity.org. Qualifying repairs are roof, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, well and septic. The home must be your primary residence in Cape Coral with homestead status, mortgage and property taxes current, homeowner's and flood insurance in place where applicable, and home value within HUD's maximum price limits. Note one disqualifier that catches seniors specifically: no reverse mortgages, property tax liens, IRS liens or judgments. If a parent took a reverse mortgage, this program is closed to them and you should find that out now rather than after an inspection.

Two things that apply no matter the address. Centro Campesino's weatherization program at 305-245-7738 ext. 236 can install insulation and efficiency measures at no cost, on its own timeline, independent of any of the above. And 2-1-1 or 239-433-3900 can find a faith-based or volunteer group that does small safety work such as grab bars and ramps when no government program is open.

Rent, housing, emergency cash

Start with a closure, because it is recent and it is the program most families are sent to first. Lee County Human and Veteran Services states that effective June 16, 2026, due to limited funding, it is no longer accepting applications for the Rent/Mortgage and Water Financial Assistance Program. The county asks residents to check its website for future updates. If someone tells you to apply to the county for back rent, that is why nothing is happening. Do not spend a week on it.

211 is now the live directory of who still has money this month. Dial 2-1-1 or 239-433-3900, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, English and Spanish, run by United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades. This is the first call for emergency rent, utilities and food, not the last.
The Salvation Army provides emergency financial assistance toward past due rent and past due utilities in Lee County, subject to funding. To qualify you must show proof of a loss of income or a verifiable crisis, then take part in a full assessment, plan, referrals and case management. Call the Fort Myers Outreach Service Center at 239-334-3745 for an appointment, with walk-ins accepted Wednesday through Friday, or the Bonita Springs center at 239-948-5200.
A Cape Coral program worth knowing about before it is too late to use. The City of Cape Coral Foreclosure Prevention Program, funded through SHIP, offers a maximum award of $10,000 per household to residents struggling to pay a mortgage. The timing rule is the whole ballgame: you must be at least one month behind and the lender must not yet have initiated foreclosure proceedings. The property must be homesteaded with a maximum value of $481,176, income must fall within the guidelines, and you must complete counseling from a HUD-certified agency, which the city routes through Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties. Contact Elena Schwartz, Housing Intake Specialist, 239-573-3164, housing@capecoral.gov. A senior on a fixed income who just fell behind is exactly who this was built for, and the eligibility window closes the day the lender files.
For subsidized housing, there are two separate authorities and Cape Coral has neither. The City of Cape Coral states plainly that it does not offer Section 8 or rental assistance and directs residents to the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers, 4224 Renaissance Preserve Way, Fort Myers, FL 33916, 239-344-3220, which administers over 2,500 housing vouchers and manages over 1,300 units across Fort Myers and Lee County. Note its unusual hours: Monday through Thursday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Fridays. The separate Lee County Housing Authority is at 14170 Warner Circle, North Fort Myers, FL 33903, 239-997-7970. Waiting lists open and close without much notice, so call both and ask rather than reading a status posted on a third-party site.
For affordable rentals generally, the city points renters to floridahousingsearch.org. For Medicaid, SNAP and Temporary Cash Assistance, apply through MyACCESS at myaccess.myflfamilies.com or 850-300-4323.
One program almost nobody knows exists until they need it. Lee County runs Indigent Cremation Services for families who cannot afford cremation for a relative who died in Lee County. The person must have had no form of life insurance, and household income must not exceed 100 percent of the federal poverty guidelines with assets under the maximum. It does not cover a funeral, memorial, viewing or visitation. Apply through Lee County Human and Veteran Services, 239-533-7900.

Transportation

Lee County's bus discount starts at 65, and the savings are real, but you cannot just tell the driver your age. LeeTran requires a reduced fare TropiCard, and you have to show it every single time you board.

The fare table is short. Standard cash fare is $1.50 on fixed-route buses and 75 cents on the beach trolley. Discounted fares apply to seniors 65 and older, people with disabilities, and full-time students:

Cash fare: 75 cents
Senior/Disabled 7-Day Pass: $11.00
Senior/Disabled 31-Day Pass: $23.00
Senior/Disabled 12-Trip Pass: $6.50
Trolley fare: 35 cents

Children 6 and under ride free on fixed-route buses. Day passes run for consecutive days, and the countdown starts the first time the pass is tapped, so a 31-Day Pass bought and used on the first of the month runs out whether you rode 31 times or three. All fares paid on board require exact change, because drivers cannot make change.

Getting the card is the step to plan for. Bring proof of age plus one form of photo ID to the Rosa Parks Transportation Center, 2250 Widman Way, Fort Myers, staffed Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For a disability-based discount, acceptable proof includes a statement from a doctor, health care professional, government agency or approved social agency, a red, white and blue Medicare card, or a valid Disabled Persons Parking Identification Permit with Florida placard registration.

If the regular bus will not work, that is Passport, and Lee County's rules are stricter than some neighboring counties. Age alone does not qualify you.

Passport ADA service requires that a disability prevents you from using the fixed route bus, and that both the origin and destination of your trip fall within three quarters of a mile of a route. Trips outside that corridor are not eligible for ADA service. LeeTran publishes an interactive map where you can enter an address and see whether it falls inside the blue corridor. Eligibility comes in three categories, including "conditional" eligibility for someone who can use the bus under some conditions and not others. Call the Passport Office at 239-533-0300, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., for the application and medical certification form. Visitors with ADA documentation from another transit agency may use Passport while visiting, and those with documentation of a disability but no ADA determination may be eligible for up to 21 days.
The Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) program is the other door, and it runs on income rather than age. State law defines transportation disadvantaged to include people unable to transport themselves or to purchase transportation because of disability, income status or age, but LeeTran's screening is a two-step process where the practical test is money: annual household income must be at or below 225 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, which for 2026 LeeTran publishes as $35,910 for one person, $48,690 for two, $61,470 for three, and $74,250 for four. Proof of income is required and self-declaration is not accepted. Acceptable proof includes a tax return, a Social Security income letter (SSA, SSI or SSDI), a retirement, pension or investment statement including VA benefits, two recent pay stubs, or a SNAP, TANF or DCF benefits letter.
Two TD rules that surprise people. The origin or destination must be located outside the three-quarter-mile ADA corridor, so TD is the program for the parts of the county the bus does not reach, not a general-purpose door-to-door service. And the program does not transport a guest. TD service runs 7 days a week, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., reservations must be made two days in advance, and you may be asked to be ready 120 minutes before pickup. You must recertify annually.
The free bus pass nobody mentions. Income-eligible TD applicants also qualify for the TD Fixed Route Bus Pass Program, which provides a 30-day or 31-day LeeTran bus pass at no charge, picked up at the Rosa Parks Transfer Center, 2250 Widman Way. Renew annually. Contact Virginia Walters, Paratransit Senior Operations Supervisor, 239-533-0353, or the Passport office at 239-533-0300, mail to LeeTran TD Bus Program, 3401 Metro Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33901.
Booking got easier in a way that matters for a family member helping from out of town. Passport riders can now book, track and cancel trips through the Passport app or at LeeTranPassport.App.RideWithVia.com, 24 hours a day, up to 14 days in advance, with real-time vehicle tracking. ADA riders must book at least one day ahead; TD riders at least two.
Complaints about TD service go to the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged Ombudsman Hotline, 1-800-983-2435.

Legal help

Florida Rural Legal Services is the first call for an elder law matter. The Fort Myers office is at 6611 Orion Drive, Suite 201, Fort Myers, FL 33912, 239-334-4554, open weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Statewide intake is 1-888-582-3410, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. FRLS is a nonprofit law firm serving low-income people in 13 Florida counties including Lee, and its practice areas include elder law, guardianships, family law, real property, bankruptcy and consumer advocacy.
A second location that saves a drive. The Salvation Army's Lehigh Acres Service Center at 25 Homestead Road, Unit 42A, hosts Florida Rural Legal Services by appointment only. Call 239-491-6071.
The Lee County Legal Aid Society has something unusual, and you do not have to qualify for it. LCLAS, at 2400 First Street, Suite 214, Fort Myers, FL 33901, 239-334-6118, LCLA67@leecountylegalaid.org, offers a free 20-minute legal clinic with a panel of qualified attorneys, with no pre-qualification required. You pre-register for one of the weekly virtual spots. For a single question, that is far faster than an intake queue. For full representation, LCLAS focuses on family law and housing law and requires Lee County residency or a referral from another legal services program, so an elder law matter still belongs with FRLS.
Florida's Senior Legal Helpline provides free legal advice and brief services by telephone appointment to Florida residents 60 and older on civil matters, and it makes referrals to state and local regulatory agencies. Call 1-888-895-7873, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is operated by Bay Area Legal Services and funded through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, so it serves seniors statewide and is a real second shot if the local offices are at capacity. Most callers get their answer during the initial appointment.
To report suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult, call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873, 24 hours a day, and press 2. For a problem inside a nursing home or assisted living facility, call the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-888-831-0404.

Caregiver support

The most useful thing in Lee County for a worn-out caregiver is free, and it happens at night. Senior Friendship Centers runs RELIEF, which stands for Respite for Elders Living in Everyday Families, giving caregivers a few hours off. The detail that makes it work: it is offered during nights and weekends, beyond the normal workday, which is exactly when adult day programs are closed and exactly when a caregiver might want a dinner, a movie or a walk. The service is provided free of charge. Call 239-275-1881.
Friendship at Home is the answer to isolation, especially after a spouse dies. Volunteers provide telephone reassurance with a cheery call once or twice a week, a friendly visitor program matching a volunteer with a senior for conversation, errands or games, and supportive intervention helping people with limited mobility reach community resources. Same number, 239-275-1881.
The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida carries the structured caregiver programs, all at 1-866-413-5337. These are open to caregivers of any age caring for an adult 60 or older, and to adults 60 or older caring for a person of any age. TCARE, the Tailored Caregiver Assessment and Referral program, pairs you one-on-one with a specialist to build an actual plan rather than hand you a brochure. Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a six-session evidence-based series on confidence, self-care and managing emotions. Savvy Caregiver is a separate six-session series built specifically for people caring for someone with Alzheimer's or another dementia, shown to decrease caregiver distress, burden and depression. The agency also offers a free caregiver support platform through a partnership with Caregiving.com, and it will bring a class to your facility if you ask.
For diagnosis, Lee County has its own state-designated memory clinic, which many Florida counties do not. Florida's legislature funds a network of 17 Memory Disorder Clinics across 13 service areas providing comprehensive diagnostic and referral services for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. The one serving this area is the Lee Physicians Group Memory Care Clinic, 12600 Creekside Lane, Suite 7, Fort Myers, FL 33919, 239-343-9220. If you are chasing a diagnosis and getting nowhere, that is the door.
The Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline (1-800-272-3900) is staffed at any hour, and 211 can point you to local support groups.

Staying at home instead of a nursing home

Florida Medicaid pays for care at home through the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care program, for people 65 and older who are Medicaid eligible, or 18 and older and Medicaid eligible by reason of a disability, who are also determined by the state's CARES unit to meet a nursing home level of care. Plans must cover a long list at minimum, including adult companion care, adult day care, assisted living facility services, attendant care, caregiver training, case management, home accessibility adaptation, home delivered meals, homemaker services, hospice, skilled nursing, medical equipment and supplies, nursing facility care, occupational, physical, respiratory and speech therapy, personal care, personal emergency response systems, respite care and transportation. Start with the Elder Helpline at 1-866-413-5337, ask about the priority list on that first call, and start early.
The Area Agency also oversees the non-Medicaid home care programs, and they are worth asking about in the same call. Funded through the Older Americans Act, the National Family Caregiver Support Program, Community Care for the Elderly, Home Care for the Elderly and the Alzheimer's Disease Initiative, these cover adult day care, personal care, case management, home delivered and congregate meals, transportation, caregiver training, support and respite, housekeeping, home health aide, legal assistance and shopping assistance. Eligibility is determined by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, and in Lee County the services are delivered by Senior Friendship Centers. The agency makes the arithmetic plain: a typical in-home care plan runs about $17,000 a year against a nursing facility averaging $177 a day, close to $65,000 a year.
PACE, the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, wraps 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. Lee County has one of the strongest PACE programs in Florida, and the numbers are the opposite of what families usually find.
Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration monthly PACE report for February 2026 lists Lee County with Hope PACE, status Operational, and 437 enrollees present for the current month, against 580 slots approved and 580 funded, with initial AHCA approval on January 22, 2008. That is nearly two decades of operation and a program running at real scale. No other PACE organization is listed for Lee County.
Three of Hope PACE's five centers are inside Lee County, which is unusual and matters when you are weighing a daily drive: 2668 Winkler Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33901; 1435 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral, FL 33991; and 1201 Wings Way, Lehigh Acres, FL 33936. The other two are in Port Charlotte and Naples. The program covers primary and specialty medical care, medications, home care and socialization. Call 239-985-6400 or toll-free 866-659-7223, with 800-995-8771 for hearing-impaired callers. Hope Healthcare's main line is 800-835-1673 or 239-482-4673.
One caution about a number you may find online. Hope Healthcare publishes 239-482-6259 on its site as its fax, and it circulates in directories as though it were a phone line. Use the numbers above.
What should a family actually do with this? Call, and also start the Medicaid long-term care track through the Elder Helpline at 1-866-413-5337 at the same time. With 437 of 580 slots filled, capacity is finite here in a way it is not in counties where PACE sits nearly empty, so an early call is worth more than a perfect one.
Do not confuse this PACE with the other one. Across Florida, Property Assessed Clean Energy is a home improvement financing program for solar, impact windows, roofs and air conditioning, repaid as an assessment on your property tax bill. Same four letters, entirely different thing, and it is sold door to door to older homeowners. If someone knocks talking about PACE, find out which one they mean before anyone signs anything.
The county's own infrastructure also helps someone stay home longer without any Medicaid determination: Senior Friendship Centers case management, meals, RELIEF respite and Friendship at Home, all starting at 239-275-1881.

Frequently asked questions

Mom is 79, has owned her house in unincorporated Lee County since 1994, and it is worth about $210,000. What is the senior exemption actually worth to her? Potentially the entire county portion of her bill, and this is where Lee County beats most of Florida. The county adopted both senior exemptions rather than one. The second one, the long-term residency exemption, is an exemption equal to the assessed value of the property for an owner 65 or older who has kept permanent residence there at least 25 years on a home with just value under $250,000. She is at 32 years and under the value cap. She still has to clear the income test, household adjusted gross income at or below $38,686 for 2026, and she must already qualify for homestead. File the DR-501SC by March 1 with the Property Appraiser at 239-533-6100, then send the tax returns and W-2s for everyone in the household by June 1. And remember none of it touches school taxes.

We live inside the City of Fort Myers. Do we get that same 25-year break? Not against the city's portion. The Property Appraiser publishes the adoptions by jurisdiction, and the City of Fort Myers adopted $25,000, the same as Sanibel and Bonita Springs. Cape Coral adopted $50,000. Only all Lee County millages, the Town of Fort Myers Beach, and the Village of Estero adopted the $50,000 plus the up-to-$250,000 long-term residency version. So a City of Fort Myers homeowner still gets the county's full treatment against county millages, which is the larger share of most bills, plus $25,000 against the city levy. File anyway. Call 239-533-6100 with the exact street address and ask which authorities on that specific bill adopted which.

I missed the March 1 deadline for the senior exemption. Is the year lost? Not necessarily, and the Property Appraiser's own instruction is to act rather than wait. The office states that statutory provisions determine deadlines for late filing and income verification, and it tells applicants who think they may qualify to file as soon as possible so it can approve the application in accordance with Florida law. Call 239-533-6100. Also, if nobody in the household files a tax return, the paperwork is different: complete the Sworn Statement, complete and sign lines 1 through 4 of IRS Form 4506, which costs nothing, submit those with proof of age, then send the SSA-1099 by June 1.

Dad is homebound in Lehigh Acres and cannot cook. Who brings him meals? Two calls, in this order. Community Cooperative runs Meals on Wheels of Southwest Florida countywide at 239-337-1055, delivering daily with a safety and security check, and it will also supply food for his dog or cat. Then call Senior Friendship Centers at 239-275-1881 and ask to be assessed through the Elder Helpline for home delivered meals, and ask which of its 10 Lee County dining sites are open, since it has sites in Lehigh Acres and several have not returned to pre-pandemic operation. Also ask the Salvation Army Lehigh Acres Service Center at 239-491-6071 about its monthly food bag and frozen meat, available Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The power bill is past due and my mother is 84 in Cape Coral. Who do I call first? Because she is over 60, EHEAP first. The state's provider list names Senior Friendship Center for Lee County at 239-387-5642, eheaplee@friendshipcenters.org, and you can also reach it through the Elder Helpline at 1-866-413-5337, which is the number FPL publishes for Lee County EHEAP. EHEAP needs a documented crisis such as a shut-off notice, and a household can receive more than one crisis benefit in a program year. In parallel, apply for LIHEAP through Lee County Human and Veteran Services at 239-533-7900, and know before you start that Cape Coral is LCEC territory in most cases, so have the bill in front of you when the application asks you to pick your utility. Also ask the Salvation Army at 239-334-3745 about FPL Care To Share. Do not print any dollar figure you find for EHEAP into your plan, including the one on the provider's own website, which still carries a note that expired in 2021. Ask what the cap is this year.

My father's roof is failing. He is 81 and owns his home free and clear. Where does he apply? The answer is entirely his address, and this trips up more Lee County families than anything else on this page. Unincorporated Lee County: the county's Home Repair Assistance Program, 239-533-7900, minimum $1,000, secured as a deferred mortgage, and you must select "Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation" on the application. City of Fort Myers: the city's own program at 1825 Hendry St., 239-321-7970, up to $15,000 as a grant, with emergency repairs prioritized. Cape Coral: Rebuilding Together Greater Florida at RTGFL.org or 239-229-6392 for no-cost repairs, and Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties at 239-652-4663 for the Emergency Owner Occupied program. All of them require being current on mortgage and property taxes and a homesteaded property, and the Habitat program excludes homes with a reverse mortgage, tax liens, IRS liens or judgments. Find out which of those applies before anyone schedules an inspection.

Mom needs help with back rent. Someone told me to apply to the county. That advice is out of date. Lee County stopped accepting applications for its Rent/Mortgage and Water Financial Assistance Program effective June 16, 2026, citing limited funding, and asks residents to watch its website for updates. Call 2-1-1 or 239-433-3900 instead, answered 24 hours a day, which keeps the live list of who has money this month. Then call the Salvation Army Outreach Service Center at 239-334-3745, where emergency rent and utility help requires proof of a loss of income or a verifiable crisis, with walk-ins Wednesday through Friday. If she is a Cape Coral homeowner behind on a mortgage rather than rent, and the lender has not yet filed, call 239-573-3164 about the city's Foreclosure Prevention Program, worth up to $10,000.

My mother stopped driving. She is 72 and lives in North Fort Myers. What are her options? If she can still ride a regular bus, LeeTran costs her 75 cents a trip instead of $1.50, and a 31-day pass is $23. She needs a reduced fare TropiCard, obtained by bringing proof of age and a photo ID to the Rosa Parks Transportation Center, 2250 Widman Way, Fort Myers, weekdays 8 to 5, and she must show it every time she boards. If a regular bus will not work, be realistic about the two paratransit doors: Passport ADA requires a disability that prevents fixed-route use, with both ends of the trip within three quarters of a mile of a route, and the Transportation Disadvantaged program requires household income at or below 225 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, which for 2026 is $35,910 for one person. Age 72 by itself opens neither. Call 239-533-0300. If she does qualify for TD on income, ask about the free 30-day or 31-day bus pass in the same call.

My husband has dementia and I have not had an evening off in a year. What is available in Lee County? Three things, in this order. Call Senior Friendship Centers at 239-275-1881 and ask about RELIEF, which is free respite offered specifically during nights and weekends rather than only during business hours. Second, call the Area Agency on Aging at 1-866-413-5337 and ask about TCARE and Savvy Caregiver, the six-session program built for dementia caregivers. Third, if the diagnosis itself is unclear or the care plan has stalled, the Lee Physicians Group Memory Care Clinic at 12600 Creekside Lane, Suite 7, Fort Myers, 239-343-9220 is one of Florida's state-designated memory disorder clinics and it is right here. And if a full-day program is what you actually need, Hope PACE runs adult day centers in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres, at 239-985-6400. The Alzheimer's Association helpline at 1-800-272-3900 is answered at 3 a.m., which is usually when you need it.

Sources

Lee County Property Appraiser (Matt Caldwell), Senior Exemption Information: enacted in 2013, Florida law allows counties or municipalities to grant either one or both of an exemption not exceeding $50,000 to a person with legal or equitable title who maintains permanent residence, is 65 or older, and whose household income does not exceed the limitation, and an additional exemption equal to the assessed value of the property to an owner with title to Florida real estate with a just value less than $250,000 who has maintained permanent residence on the property for not less than 25 years, is 65 or older, and meets the same income limitation; the household income limitation is adjusted each year on January 1 according to changes in the consumer price index; the exemption "has been granted, with various benefit amounts, in the following Lee County jurisdictions: City of Sanibel 25,000; City of Bonita Springs 25,000; City of Fort Myers 25,000; City of Cape Coral 50,000; Town of Fort Myers Beach 50,000 and up to 250,000; Village of Estero 50,000 and up to 250,000; All Lee County Millages 50,000 and up to 250,000"; filers submit the Sworn Statement of Adjusted Gross Income of Household to the Property Appraiser on or before March 1, then a copy of the current year's tax return and W-2 for all persons residing in the home, excluding renters and boarders, no later than June 1; non-filers complete lines 1 through 4 of IRS Form 4506 with no fee for verification of non-filing, submit it with proof of age by March 1, and submit the SSA-1099 by June 1; on late filing the office states that "there are statutory provisions determining deadlines for late filing and providing income verification" and advises applicants to "file as soon as possible": https://www.leepa.org/Exemption/DownloadSeniorExemptionForms.aspx . Verified August 18, 2026.
Lee County Property Appraiser, Location and Hours: physical address 2480 Thompson Street, 4th Floor, Fort Myers, FL 33901, mailing address P.O. Box 1546, Fort Myers, FL 33902, main line (239) 533-6100, main fax (239) 533-6160, office hours 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday: https://www.leepa.org/LocationHours.aspx . Verified August 18, 2026.
Lee County Property Appraiser, Tax Reform Information: on November 5, 2024, Amendment 5 was approved by Florida voters, requiring the value of the additional homestead exemption for levies other than school district levies to be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index; the $25,000 value of the additional exemption will be increased when the inflation adjustment is positive and applied to assessed value greater than $50,000, calculated annually by the Florida Department of Revenue, and will never fall below $25,000; "the CPI for 2025 is 2.9%, which increases the additional homestead exemption to $25,722 for the 2025 tax year," effective January 1, 2025: https://www.leepa.org/Changes/Amendment_1.aspx . Verified August 18, 2026.
Florida Department of Revenue, Two Additional Homestead Exemptions for Persons 65 and Older (Revised January 2026): counties or city governments may adopt local ordinances under Section 6(d) of Article VII of the Florida Constitution and s.196.075, F.S., allowing one or both additional exemptions, which apply only to the tax millage a county or city levies when it adopts a local ordinance and do not apply to the millage of school districts or other taxing units; Senior Homestead Exemption adjusted income limitation $38,686 for 2026 (2.6% change), $37,694 for 2025, $36,614 for 2024: https://floridarevenue.com/property/Documents/AdditionalHomesteadExemptions.pdf . Verified August 18, 2026.
Lee County Tax Collector (Noelle Branning), Payment Options: quarterly installment plan requires estimated taxes exceeding $100 per tax notice, with applications accepted between November 1 and April 30 and required by the last day of April of the tax year; first installment due June 30 with a 6% discount, second September 30 at 4.5%, third December 31 at 3%, fourth March 31 with no discount; taxpayers who miss the first installment may pay by July 31 but lose the discount, and those who do not pay by July 31 are removed from the plan; "you do not have to reapply each year as long as the first installment payment is made every year": https://leetc.com/payment-options/ . Main office 2480 Thompson Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901, phone 239.533.6000, hours Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: https://leetc.com/contact-us/ . Verified August 18, 2026.
Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida: serves Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Sarasota counties and is the state's designated Aging and Disability Resource Center for Southwest Florida: https://aaaswfl.org/ . Elder Helpline 866-413-5337 (866-41-ELDER), 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday; main office 2830 Winkler Avenue, Suite 112, Fort Myers, FL 33916, phone 239-652-6900: https://aaaswfl.org/contact-us/ . Lead agency designations for PSA 8 list Friendship Centers, Lee County, 12734 Kenwood Lane, Unit 85, Fort Myers, FL 33907, (239) 275-1881: https://aaaswfl.org/about-aaaswfl/lead-agencies/ . Verified August 18, 2026.
Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, SHINE Medicare Counseling: SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) offers free, personalized, unbiased and confidential Medicare counseling, and counselors "are not affiliated with any insurance companies or agencies. They neither sell nor recommend insurance of any type"; counselors offer guidance on Medicare decisions, evaluate coverage, screen for cost savings programs, problem solve, and assist with claims and appeals; Fall Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7; Helpline 866-413-5337: https://aaaswfl.org/shine-medicare-counseling/ . Caregiver Support programs TCARE, Powerful Tools for Caregivers (six sessions) and Savvy Caregiver (six sessions, for caregivers of a person with Alzheimer's or dementia), available to caregivers of any age who are primary caregiver for an adult 60+, or adults 60+ who are primary caregiver for a person of any age, plus a free platform through a partnership with Caregiving.com: https://aaaswfl.org/caregiver-support/ . Home and Community-Based Care services and the statement that a nursing facility averages $177.00 per day, nearly $65,000 per year, against a typical in-home care plan of approximately $17,000 per year: https://aaaswfl.org/home-community-care/ . Verified August 18, 2026.
Senior Friendship Centers of Lee County: headquartered at 12734 Kenwood Lane, Unit 85, Fort Myers, Florida 33907, phone (239) 275-1881, hours Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, with administrative offices for case management, nutrition programs, caregiver support, Friendship at Home and RELIEF volunteer programs, and 10 dining sites throughout Lee County in Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Bonita Springs for the 60+ crowd; the organization states that "Some of our programs and services have been temporarily suspended or sunsetted due to COVID-19, including some of our dining sites" and asks callers to phone for current status: https://friendshipcenters.org/location/lee-county/ . RELIEF (Respite for Elders Living in Everyday Families) gives "much needed respite for a few hours to caregivers," is provided free of charge, and is "offered during nights and weekends, beyond the normal workday hours"; Friendship at Home provides telephone reassurance calls once or twice a week, a friendly visitor program, and supportive intervention: https://friendshipcenters.org/city/lee-county/ . Note: the EHEAP benefit figure published on that page carries a COVID-era note dated 9/2021, which is why this article names the program and routes to the office rather than printing an amount. Verified August 18, 2026.
Florida Department of Elder Affairs, 2025-2026 EHEAP Providers List (October 2025): the provider listed for Lee County is "Senior Friendship Center (Lee County), 12734 Kenwood Lane, Unit 85, Fort Myers, FL 33907, Contact: Christin Jones, eheaplee@friendshipcenters.org, Phone: 239-387-5642": https://elderaffairs.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2025-2026-EHEAP-Providers-List_October-2025.pdf . EHEAP program rules require at least one individual age 60 or older in the home, income at or below 60% of State Median Income, and a documented heating or cooling emergency such as a delinquent bill, shut-off notice, or lack of fuel or wood; payments are made directly to the vendor, and households may receive more than one crisis benefit per program year up to a maximum set by FloridaCommerce: https://elderaffairs.org/programs-and-services/emergency-home-energy-assistance-for-the-elderly-program/ . Verified August 18, 2026.
Lee County Human and Veteran Services, Financial Assistance Programs: "Effective June 16, 2026, due to limited funding, HVS will no longer be accepting applications for the Rent/Mortgage and Water Financial Assistance Program," with residents encouraged to check the website for future updates. LIHEAP requires Lee County residency, U.S. citizenship, legal permanent residency or qualified alien status, an obligation to pay a utility bill directly or non-subsidized rent including utilities, and gross countable household income not exceeding 60% of the current Florida State Median Income for households of 1 to 8 members or 150% of the Federal Poverty Level for households with 9 or more; the application's first screen asks the applicant to select a utility provider, with instructions to choose "Lee County Electric Cooperative" for an LCEC account, "Florida Power and Light Company" for an FPL account, or "My utility is not listed here" for any other electric utility; fraud prevention notice states "No payments, including money, cash, or checks, will be requested or accepted by any office employee" with reports to the Family Impact Program Manager at 239-533-2906. Home Repair Assistance: applicants must select the "Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation" option; eligible repairs are roof repair or replacement, plumbing, septic repair or replacement, heating and air conditioning, well repair or replacement, window replacement, electrical, and door repair or replacement; minimum assistance amount is $1,000; requirements include living in unincorporated Lee County (not within a city), U.S. citizenship or residency, annual income at or below HUD's income levels, owning and continuously living in the home for at least the past 12 months, being current on all mortgages, property taxes and homeowner association fees, obtaining hazard and flood insurance if applicable, owning and occupying the home for the duration of the deferred mortgage, a homesteaded property free of excessive clutter, not listed for sale, not in bankruptcy, foreclosure or probate, and all persons on the deed residing at the property; exclusions include maintenance-type repairs, married couples living separately, mobile homes located on rented or leased lots, and mold damage exceeding one square foot; contact HVSHousing@leegov.com or (239) 533-7900. Indigent Cremation Services: the person must have died in Lee County, must not have any form of life insurance, and household income must not exceed 100% of the federal poverty guidelines with assets under the maximum; the program does not provide a funeral, memorial viewing, visitation or other services: https://www.leegov.com/dhs/assistance/financial . Verified August 18, 2026.
Lee County Department of Public Safety, Special Medical Needs Program: available to all Lee County residents at no cost, providing shelter for those whose home or area is not safe from storm surge or wind and transportation to a shelter for residents who do not have a way to get there; "You must update your application information every year by calling (239) 533-0640"; "We stop processing applications when Lee County enters the seven-day forecast cone of a storm, so submit your application early in the season"; registering does not guarantee a space, as the Department of Health reviews each application and assigns a shelter; the Special Medical Needs Shelter is for medical needs that require electricity, such as oxygen dependence, dialysis, ventilators and nebulizers; "You need a companion/caregiver to accompany you during the time you shelter"; service animals are allowed in all shelters, and "You can bring your dog or cat to shelter with you at the Special Medical Needs Shelters", housed in a separate area with access for feeding, walking and spending time; questions to (239) 533-0640: https://www.leegov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement/shelters/specialneedsprogram . Verified August 18, 2026.
Community Cooperative, Meals on Wheels of Southwest Florida: volunteers provide daily, nutritious home-delivered meals and a friendly, safety and security check to eligible homebound neighbors who cannot shop and cook for themselves, including seniors, the disabled, or chronically ill adults, short term while recovering from illness or surgery or long term, serving over 1,000 elderly and homebound citizens; the program also provides food and care products for clients' pets; Meals on Wheels program line 239-337-1055, main office 239-332-7687, fax 239-479-5335, MOW@CommunityCooperative.com, mailing address P.O. Box 2143, Fort Myers, FL 33902-3429, with current August 2026 menus and newsletters posted in English and Spanish: https://communitycooperative.com/meals-on-wheels/ . Main office 3429 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33916, main (239) 332-7687: https://communitycooperative.com/contact/ . Verified August 18, 2026.
Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, Feeding Seniors: the Care and Share Senior Feeding Program supplements the diets of more than 2,200 seniors with low income in Charlotte, Collier and Lee counties, with eligible seniors aged 55 and over receiving pre-packaged food kits of easy-to-prepare meals and shelf-stable fruits, vegetables, proteins, cheeses and grains, supplemented when possible with fresh produce and frozen meat; the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) provides food to eligible seniors 60 or older with boxes "distributed once a month at designated sites in Glades and Hendry counties"; for eligibility and enrollment for either program call (239) 334-7007; Fort Myers distribution center 3760 Fowler St., Fort Myers, FL 33901, hours Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: https://harrychapinfoodbank.org/our-impact/programs/feeding-seniors/ . Verified August 18, 2026.
The Salvation Army of Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties, Crisis Services and Service Centers: Outreach Service Center at 2450 Edison Avenue, Fort Myers, with appointments via (239) 334-3745 and walk-ins accepted Wednesday through Friday; Red Shield Food Distribution Center at 2476 Edison Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33901, providing one box of food per family, once a month; Red Shield Diner at 2400 Edison Avenue, where anyone in the community who is hungry is invited to dinner; crisis services include emergency food and clothing and assistance with utilities: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/fortmyers/crisis-services/ . Lehigh Acres Service Center, 25 Homestead Road, Unit 42A, Lehigh Acres, FL 33936, (239) 491-6071, open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a food pantry once a month, Emergency Power Assistance for FPL and LCEC accounts by appointment, Food Stamp and Medicaid (ACCESS) application and renewal help by appointment, and Florida Rural Legal Services available by appointment only; Bonita Springs Service Center, 26820 Old US 41, Bonita Springs, FL 34135, (239) 948-5200, open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to noon, with Tuesday food pantry including an evening window 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., all services offered in English and Spanish, and Emergency Financial Assistance for past due rent and past due utilities requiring proof of a loss of income or verifiable crisis, administered partly with Care to Share FPL funds: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/fortmyers/service-centers/ . Verified August 18, 2026.
Florida Power & Light, financial assistance by county: for Lee County FPL lists Lee County Human Services for LIHEAP at 239-533-7900, the Area Agency on Aging for SW Florida for EHEAP at 866-413-5337 (866-41-ELDER), and the Salvation Army for FPL Care To Share at 239-334-3745: https://www.fpl.com/help/assistance.html . Verified August 18, 2026.
Centro Campesino, Weatherization Assistance Program: the agency "weatherized homes in Broward, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Lee, Martin, Miami Dade, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie Counties," and the service is provided at no cost to eligible low-income homeowners or tenants; work is performed by Florida state licensed contractors and inspected by Centro Campesino and local building and code enforcement; "Weatherization is not about home repairs or renovations," and is only intended to reduce the household's energy burden; total household income may not be more than 200 percent above the national poverty level, with preference given to elderly (Seniors 60 years-plus) or physically disabled residents, families with children under 12, and households with a high energy burden; applications and information from Marixa Figueroa at 305-245-7738, ext. 236, mfigueroa@ccfcfl.org, or Carolina Orezzoli at ext. 235; the page's income limits reference the 2024-2025 WAP Income Program Limits: https://centrocampesino.org/rural-rehab-weatherization/ . Verified August 18, 2026.
City of Fort Myers, Repair and Rehabilitation: the program "is designed to assist homeowners with needed repairs to improve health, safety, and the structural integrity of the home"; applicants must reside within Fort Myers city boundaries, be a U.S. citizen or resident, meet HUD Income Limits for Lee County, occupy the home and maintain current mortgage and property tax payments, and obtain hazard and flood insurance before assistance; the property must be homesteaded, free of excessive clutter, and not involved in bankruptcy, foreclosure or probate; emergency repairs receive priority consideration and the maximum assistance amount is $15,000 as a grant; maintenance-type repairs are ineligible; Housing Division at 1825 Hendry St., Fort Myers, FL 33901, 239-321-7970: https://www.fortmyers.gov/1543/Repair-and-Rehabilitation . Verified August 18, 2026.
City of Cape Coral, City Planning Division, Housing and Grants: the city states "The City of Cape Coral DOES NOT offer Section 8 or rental assistance programs," directing renters to floridahousingsearch.org and Section 8 applicants to the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers at hacfm.org or (239) 344-3220; CDBG and SHIP funds are awarded to eligible non-profit agencies and City departments, and "INDIVIDUALS and FOR PROFIT entities are not eligible to apply for these funds"; the Foreclosure Prevention Program, funded through SHIP, allows residents struggling to pay their mortgage to apply for a maximum award of $10,000 per household, requiring applicants to be at least one month behind in mortgage payments with no foreclosure proceedings initiated by the lender, a homesteaded property not in foreclosure with a maximum value of $481,176, U.S. citizenship or legal registration, income within the guidelines chart, and completion of counseling from a HUD-certified agency, routed through Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties, Inc.; questions to Elena Schwartz, Housing Intake Specialist, 239-573-3164, housing@capecoral.gov: https://www.capecoral.gov/departments/development_services/city_planning_division/housing_and_grants/index.php . Verified August 18, 2026.
City of Cape Coral, "City of Cape Coral Partners with Nonprofit to Provide Free Home Repairs": the City "is working with Rebuilding Together Greater Florida (RTGFL) to provide no-cost home repairs for income-eligible homeowners"; services "may include essential repairs, accessibility upgrades, and roofing, plumbing, and electrical work, as well as support for disaster readiness and recovery"; to qualify, "applicants must own and live in their home, not own other residential properties, meet income requirements, and be current on their mortgage and property taxes"; residents "can check eligibility and apply online at RTGFL.org or by calling 239-229-6392": https://www.capecoral.gov/news_detail_T4_R633.php . Verified August 18, 2026.
Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties, Cape Coral Emergency Owner Occupied Home Repair Program: administered in partnership with the City of Cape Coral; qualifying repairs are "Roof, HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Well and Septic"; eligibility requires a primary residence in Cape Coral with homestead status, household income meeting annual guidelines, criminal background checks for all adult household members, legal permanent U.S. residency, home value not exceeding HUD's maximum price limits, current mortgage and property tax payments, homeowner's and flood insurance where applicable, and no reverse mortgages, property tax liens, IRS liens or judgments; contact (239) 652-4663 or homerepairs@habitat4humanity.org: https://www.habitat4humanity.org/cape-coral-eoor/ . Verified August 18, 2026.
Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers: administers over 2,500 housing vouchers throughout Southwest Florida through the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) and manages over 1,300 housing units in Fort Myers and Lee County; 4224 Renaissance Preserve Way, Fort Myers, FL 33916, phone (239) 344-3220, hours Monday through Thursday 7:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., closed Fridays: https://www.hacfm.org/ . U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, PHA Contact Report for Florida, lists FL128 Lee County Housing Authority, (239) 997-7970, 14170 Warner Circle, North Fort Myers, FL 33903, Combined: https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/PHA_Contact_Report_FL.pdf . This article routes readers to call both authorities rather than publishing a waiting-list status, because those open and close without notice. Verified August 18, 2026.
LeeTran, Fares and Passes plus Discounts: non-discounted rate is $1.50 for fixed route buses and $0.75 for beach trolley fares; children 6 and under will not be charged on fixed-route buses; day passes are valid for consecutive days, becoming active the first time they are tapped; all fares purchased on board require exact change: https://www.leegov.com/leetran/fares-passes . Discounted fares and passes are offered to seniors aged 65 and older, persons with disabilities, and full-time students, and "the passenger must show their reduced fare TropiCard to the driver every time they board the bus"; a discount TropiCard is obtained by bringing proof of disability, age or student status plus one form of photo I.D. to the Rosa Parks Transportation Center located at 2250 Widman Way, Fort Myers, staffed Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; approved proof of disability includes a statement from a doctor, health care professional, government agency or approved social agency, a red, white and blue Medicare card, or a valid Disabled Persons Parking Identification Permit and Florida Parking Placard Registration; discount fares are Cash Fare $0.75, Senior/Disabled 7-Day Pass $11.00, Senior/Disabled 31-Day Pass $23.00, Senior/Disabled 12-Trip Pass $6.50, Trolley Fare $0.35: https://www.leegov.com/leetran/fares-passes/discounts . Verified August 18, 2026.
LeeTran, Passport (ADA Service) Eligibility and Reservations: "Disability alone does not confer or create eligibility for Paratransit service. To be eligible for ADA service, a disability must prevent the use of LeeTran's fixed route bus service and the origin and destination of your trip must be within 3/4 (three-quarters) of a mile of a fixed route"; an interactive map lets riders check whether an address falls within the corridor; three categories of eligibility exist plus conditional eligibility; visitors eligible for ADA service elsewhere may use Passport during a visit, and those with documentation of a disability but no ADA determination may be eligible up to twenty-one (21) days; Passport Office 239-533-0300, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday: https://www.leegov.com/leetran/passport-(ada-service)/eligibility . Trips may be scheduled through the Passport app 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, up to 14 days in advance, or by calling 239-533-0300 Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; ADA passengers book with a minimum of one day before the trip and TD clients a minimum of two days; the app is also at LeeTranPassport.App.RideWithVia.com: https://www.leegov.com/leetran/passport-(ada-service)/reservations . Verified August 18, 2026.
LeeTran, TD Service and TD Bus Passes: Section 427.011(1), F.S. defines "transportation disadvantaged" as persons who because of physical or mental disability, income status, or age are unable to transport themselves or purchase transportation; LeeTran's eligibility screening is "at minimum, a TWO-STEP PROCESS" and "Annual household income must meet a minimum of 225% of the current Federal Poverty Guidelines," with "Proof of household income required for all TD applicants. Self-declaration is not allowed"; acceptable proof includes a current tax return, unemployment compensation verification, child support letter, Social Security income letter (SSA, SSI, SSDI), two employer pay stubs from the past two months, a retirement, pension or investment statement including VA, a pre-approved agency letter, or a TANF, SNAP or DCF benefits letter; "The origin or destination of the trip must be located outside of the ¾ mile ADA corridor," service runs 7 days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., reservations must be scheduled two (2) days in advance, "This program does not allow/transport for a guest," passengers may be required to be ready 120 minutes prior to pick-up, and passengers must recertify annually; complaints to the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged Ombudsman Hotline at 1 (800) 983-2435: https://www.leegov.com/leetran/td-service . The TD Fixed Route Bus Pass Program provides eligible recipients a 30-day or 31-day LeeTran fixed-route bus pass at no charge, picked up at the Rosa Parks Transfer Center, 2250 Widman Way, Fort Myers, FL 33901, with annual renewal; it is described as "a 'last resort' program designed for individuals who need transportation assistance and have no other available resources"; the published 225% of 2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines table lists 1 person $35,910.00, 2 persons $48,690.00, 3 persons $61,470.00, 4 persons $74,250.00; contact Virginia Walters, Paratransit Senior Operations Supervisor, (239) 533-0353, fax (239) 432-2035, LeeTran TD Bus Program, 3401 Metro Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33901, phone (239) 533-0300: https://www.leegov.com/leetran/td-service/td-bus-passes . Verified August 18, 2026.
Florida Rural Legal Services, Fort Myers office: 6611 Orion Drive, Suite 201, Fort Myers, FL 33912, office hours 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, phone 239-334-4554, fax 239-334-3042; statewide intake 1-888-582-3410, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; practice areas include Elder Law; service areas are Lee, Polk, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Martin, Okeechobee, Indian River, Highlands, Hardee, Hendry, Charlotte, DeSoto and Glades Counties: https://www.frls.org/fort-myers . Verified August 18, 2026.
Lee County Legal Aid Society: 2400 First Street, Suite 214, Fort Myers, FL 33901, phone 239-334-6118, LCLA67@leecountylegalaid.org; "You don't have to pre-qualify to sign up for one free personal 20-minute legal clinic with a panel of qualified attorneys, who can advise you in a variety of legal areas," with pre-registration required for weekly virtual meeting spots; "To be eligible for our legal assistance, you must be a resident of Lee County or have been referred to us by another legal services program"; application paths are Family Law and Housing Law: https://www.leecountylegalaid.org/get-assistance/ . The Lee County Attorney's office lists both Florida Rural Legal Services and the Lee County Legal Aid Society among its legal services contacts: https://www.leegov.com/countyattorney/legal-services-contacts . Verified August 18, 2026.
Bay Area Legal Services, Florida Senior Legal Helpline: (888) 895-7873, providing free legal advice and brief services by telephone appointment to eligible Florida residents age 60 and older for civil, not criminal, legal problems, and making referrals to state and local regulatory agencies; call Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the program is provided by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and Bay Area Legal Services, Inc.: https://bals.org/senior-legal-helpline and https://elderaffairs.org/programs-and-services/florida-senior-legal-helpline/ . Verified August 18, 2026.
Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Memory Disorder Clinic Location Map (2025): the legislature has authorized 17 memory disorder clinics operating in 13 distinct service areas providing comprehensive diagnostic and referral services for persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia; the clinic listed for service area 11, which covers Lee County, is Lee Physicians Group Memory Care Clinic, 12600 Creekside Lane, Ste. 7, Fort Myers, FL 33919, (239) 343-9220: https://elderaffairs.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-MDC-Map.pdf . Verified August 18, 2026.
Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, toll-free 1-888-831-0404: https://elderaffairs.org/programs-and-services/long-term-care-ombudsman-program/ . Statewide Elder Helpline 1-800-963-5337: https://elderaffairs.org/programs-and-services/elder-helpline/ . Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program: age 65 and over and eligible for Medicaid, or age 18 and over and eligible for Medicaid by reason of a disability, plus a CARES determination of nursing home level of care; covered services include adult companion care, adult day care, assisted living facility services, attendant care, caregiver training, case management, home accessibility adaptation, home delivered meals, homemaker, hospice, skilled nursing, medical equipment and supplies, nursing facility care, occupational, physical, respiratory and speech therapy, personal care, personal emergency response systems, respite care and transportation: https://elderaffairs.org/programs-and-services/statewide-medicaid-managed-care-long-term-care-program/ . Verified August 18, 2026.
Florida Department of Children and Families, Florida Abuse Hotline: central reporting center for allegations of abuse, neglect and exploitation of children and vulnerable adults, accepting reports 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; 1-800-962-2873 (1-800-96-ABUSE), TTY 711 or 1-800-955-8771; press 2 to report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult: https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/abuse/abuse-hotline . Public assistance programs SNAP, Medicaid and Temporary Cash Assistance through one application via the MyACCESS portal at https://myaccess.myflfamilies.com, customer call center (850) 300-4323: https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/public-assistance . Verified August 18, 2026.
United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades, 211: serves Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties, reachable by dialing 2-1-1 or calling (239) 433-3900, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in English and Spanish, with an online database at unitedwaylee.communityos.org: https://www.unitedwaylee.org/211 . Verified August 18, 2026.
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly Monthly Report, February 2026: the PACE Organization Data by County table lists Lee County with Hope PACE, Operational, 437 enrollees present for the current month; the Operational PACE Organizations table lists Hope PACE, service area Lee, Operational, initial approval 1/22/2008, 580 slots approved and 580 slots funded, 437 enrollees; no other PACE organization is listed as present, undergoing review, or with an application at AHCA or CMS for Lee County; the report states PACE eligibility requires being 55 years of age or older, meeting the nursing facility level of care, residing in a designated service area, and being able to be safely served in the community: https://ahca.myflorida.com/content/download/28770/file/February%202026%20PACE%20Report.pdf . Verified August 18, 2026.
Hope Healthcare, Hope PACE: Hope PACE Centers are at 2668 Winkler Avenue, Fort Myers, Florida 33901; 1435 Santa Barbara Blvd., Unit 2, Cape Coral, FL 33991; 1201 Wings Way, Lehigh Acres, FL 33936; 3280 Tamiami Tr, Ste 46, Port Charlotte, FL 33952; and 13020 Livingston Rd., Naples, FL 34105; Hope "serves all of southwest Florida, with offices in Charlotte, Collier, Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties"; main administrative office 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908, toll-free 800-835-1673, phone 239-482-4673, and fax 239-482-6259: https://www.hopehcs.org/hope-pace/ . The Hope PACE program site lists 239-985-6400, toll-free 866-659-7223, and 800.995.8771 for hearing impaired callers, and describes coverage including primary and specialty medical care, medications, homecare and socialization: https://www.hopepace.org/ . Florida PACE Association listing for Hope PACE, currently serving Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties, (239) 985-6400, www.hopepace.org: https://flpace.org/members-affiliates/hope-pace/ . Note: 239-482-6259 is published by Hope Healthcare as a fax number, which is why this article routes readers to the voice lines instead. Verified August 18, 2026.
National anchor lines used in the "Start here" section, all of which work from anywhere: Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116, a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging connecting older adults and caregivers to local services: https://eldercare.acl.gov/ . Medicare 1-800-633-4227 (1-800-MEDICARE), TTY 1-877-486-2048, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: https://www.medicare.gov/talk-to-someone . Social Security 1-800-772-1213: https://www.ssa.gov/agency/contact/ . VA 1-800-827-1000, the VA benefits hotline: https://www.va.gov/resources/helpful-va-phone-numbers/ . Alzheimer's Association Helpline 800.272.3900, a free service available 24/7, 365 days a year offering information, local resources, crisis assistance and emotional support, with TRS access by dialing 711 and support in over 200 languages: https://www.alz.org/help-support/resources/helpline . National Elder Fraud Hotline 833-372-8311 (833-FRAUD-11), a free resource created by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime, providing case management support for reporting fraud targeting people age 60 and older, Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. eastern time: https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/stop-elder-fraud/providing-help-restoring-hope . 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/ . Verified August 18, 2026.
LCEC (Lee County Electric Cooperative): customer service 239-656-2300, mailing address P.O. Box 3455, N. Ft. Myers, FL 33918, serving a six-county service territory in Southwest Florida with headquarters in North Fort Myers: https://www.lcec.net/my-cooperative/about-us/company-information/ . This article does not list which specific communities fall under LCEC versus FPL, because LCEC does not publish that list in text; readers are routed to check their own bill, which is what the county's LIHEAP application requires anyway. Verified August 18, 2026.

Verified August 18, 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.