What Tampa Bay Residents Need Now: Medicaid Enrollment Changes, Homeless Services, Utilities Help, and Housing Assistance (Fall 2025)

If you’re a senior, a caregiver, or a low-income household in Hillsborough or Pinellas County, 2025 is bringing real changes that affect your health coverage, phone/Internet support, utilities, and housing assistance options. Our Healing Tampa Bay outreach team put together this practical update to help you act quickly, avoid gaps, and connect with local resources that still have funding.

Below, you’ll find clear steps to keep or regain Medicaid, move to Marketplace coverage if you’ve lost it, get help with power and water bills, and reach coordinated homeless services and housing supports in Tampa Bay.

What’s changed recently—and why it matters

  • Medicaid renewals and terminations are still ongoing in Florida. After continuous coverage ended in 2023, state agencies have continued “unwinding” eligibility back to normal. If you missed a renewal packet or your address changed, you may have been cut off without realizing it. You can check and fix your coverage now through Florida’s portal, ACCESS Florida.

  • If you lost Medicaid or Florida KidCare, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to get low-cost Marketplace insurance. HealthCare.gov has an ongoing special enrollment for people who lose Medicaid/CHIP; start at HealthCare.gov’s “lost Medicaid” page.

  • The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) for discounted home Internet and wireless ended funding in 2024. Many families lost ACP discounts in mid-2024. The Federal Communications Commission confirms the wind-down on the FCC’s ACP page. The Lifeline phone program is still active, and you can apply or recertify through the FCC/Lifeline Support Center.

  • Utility assistance remains available, but demand is high. Local programs like LIHEAP (energy assistance) are still operating via county agencies—apply quickly and be ready with documentation. See Hillsborough County Social Services Energy Assistance and Pinellas County Human Services Utility Assistance.

  • Coordinated entry for homeless services in Tampa Bay continues through 2-1-1 and local Continuum of Care partners. Call or text 2-1-1 Tampa Bay Cares to reach the local coordinated entry system. In Hillsborough, the lead agency is the Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative (THHI). In Pinellas, it’s the Homeless Leadership Alliance.

Below are concrete steps to take now.

Medicaid and Florida KidCare: How to renew or re-enroll

If you lost Medicaid or your renewal is coming up, take these actions today:

  1. Log into your ACCESS Florida account
    - Go to ACCESS Florida to:

    • Update your mailing address, phone, and email
    • Check your case status and renewal date
    • Upload documents and respond to requests
    • If you don’t have an online account, create one and link your case. You can also call the Florida DCF Customer Call Center at the number listed on the ACCESS Florida site.

  2. Watch for renewal notices and respond immediately
    - If you receive a “we need more information” letter, you generally have a short window to respond. Upload pay stubs, award letters (Social Security, VA, pension), proof of Florida residency, and any requested immigration documents.

  3. Verify plan selection if you’re approved
    - After Medicaid approval, you choose or confirm your health plan. Florida’s plan selection and enrollment is handled through the state; learn more via the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) links available on ACCESS Florida.

  4. If denied, review the reason and appeal quickly
    - Many denials are procedural (missing documents, outdated address). If you think the decision is wrong, file an appeal by the deadline in your notice. You can also apply for Marketplace coverage during a Special Enrollment Period if your Medicaid ended—see the next section.

  5. For kids and teens
    - Children may qualify for Florida KidCare even if adults in the household don’t qualify for Medicaid. Start or renew via ACCESS Florida and review Florida KidCare options if you’re directed there.

Practical tips:
- Upload documents in PDF or clear photos. Label files with your name and a short description (e.g., “Jones_Jan_SSI_Award_2025.pdf”).
- Set calendar reminders for renewal dates and follow up within 48 hours if you don’t see updates.
- Keep copies of everything you submit and any mail you receive.

If you lost Medicaid: Move to Marketplace coverage now

If you lost Medicaid (or Florida KidCare), you likely qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) on the federal Marketplace and can enroll outside open enrollment.

  • Start here: HealthCare.gov – Medicaid/CHIP changes
  • When prompted, indicate that you lost Medicaid/KidCare to unlock your SEP.
  • Most low-income adults qualify for significant premium tax credits. Many plans cost less than a typical phone bill after subsidies. If your income is very low and you’re not eligible for Medicaid, you may still be eligible for $0-premium silver plans with extra cost-sharing reductions—check your exact options on HealthCare.gov.

What to have ready:
- Proof of Medicaid termination (if available)
- Estimated household income for 2025 (pay stubs, unemployment, Social Security)
- Household size and Social Security numbers for applicants
- Immigration/document status for non-citizen applicants (if applicable)

Important: If you later regain Medicaid, you can cancel your Marketplace plan mid-month to prevent double coverage.

SNAP, cash assistance, and combined applications

Many families can apply for health coverage and food assistance together through the same portal:
- Use ACCESS Florida to apply for Medicaid, Florida KidCare referrals, SNAP (food assistance), and cash assistance (TANF). Tracking everything in one place reduces missed paperwork.

SNAP tips:
- Report changes in income or household size promptly—this can increase your benefit sooner.
- If you’re 60+ or a person with a disability, report out-of-pocket medical costs; they can increase your SNAP benefit.

Lifeline phones after the ACP wind-down

With ACP funding gone, many households lost their Internet/phone discount in 2024. Two steps to stay connected:

  • Apply for Lifeline
  • Lifeline is still active and provides a discount on phone or broadband to eligible low-income households. Check eligibility and apply via the Lifeline Support Center.

  • If you previously used ACP with a participating provider, ask about moving to a Lifeline-only plan.

  • Check for carrier low-income plans

  • Some carriers offer low-cost plans independent of ACP. Ask your provider about hardship or loyalty discounts.

The FCC’s official notice about ACP’s status is here: FCC: Affordable Connectivity Program.

Utilities assistance: Electricity, gas, and water

We’re seeing higher-than-normal utility bills. Apply early in the month and have your documents ready.

General utility tips:
- Ask for a medical or critical-care designation if someone in the home depends on powered medical equipment (documentation required). It may not stop disconnection in all cases, but it can trigger special handling and outreach.
- Request a payment arrangement before the due date to avoid fees and disconnection.
- Keep your confirmation numbers for assistance applications and utility payment arrangements.

Water/sewer help:
- Some municipal utilities offer payment plans or hardship relief. If you’re in the City of Tampa, start at the Customer Service resources linked from the city’s site or call 2-1-1 for the latest water assistance programs. You can also ask about seasonal moratoriums or leak adjustments.

Homeless services and emergency shelter: Coordinated entry in Tampa Bay

If you are unsheltered, couch-surfing, or facing imminent homelessness, connect to coordinated entry immediately. This system prioritizes households for shelter and housing resources based on need and availability.

  • Call or text: 2-1-1 Tampa Bay Cares

  • 2-1-1 can conduct the initial intake and refer you to the appropriate county system and providers.

  • Hillsborough County

  • Continuum of Care lead: Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative (THHI)

  • THHI coordinates outreach, emergency shelter access, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing referrals. Ask about navigation services, document recovery (IDs/birth certificates), and housing-focused case management.

  • Pinellas County

  • Continuum of Care lead: Homeless Leadership Alliance (HLA)
  • HLA’s network manages access to shelter beds, diversion, rapid rehousing, and supportive housing placements. If you’re a veteran, ask to be screened for the SSVF program and HUD-VASH.

When you contact coordinated entry:
- Have or request help obtaining identification (state ID, Social Security card) and basic documents (birth certificates, income verification).
- If fleeing domestic violence, ask for confidential DV-specific resources and safety planning.
- For seniors, ask about medical respite or senior-specific shelter options if applicable.

Rental help, eviction prevention, and housing waitlists

Emergency rental assistance from the 2021–2023 federal programs has ended, but there are still options:

  • Eviction prevention and legal help
  • Contact Bay Area Legal Services for free legal help with evictions, subsidized housing issues, and benefits problems in Hillsborough and surrounding counties. For Pinellas/Pasco, 2-1-1 can route you to legal partners.

  • If you receive a 3-day or 7-day notice, act immediately. Keep all paperwork and ask the court clerk about filing deadlines and mediation options.

  • County-level housing programs

  • Hillsborough County’s social services may have limited funds for emergency hotel vouchers, deposits, or rapid rehousing when available—check with Hillsborough County Social Services.

  • Pinellas County Human Services similarly runs targeted programs depending on funding—see Pinellas County Human Services.

  • Public housing and Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher) waitlists

  • Waitlists open and close without much warning. Check:

  • If you’re already on a waitlist, keep your contact information current to avoid being dropped when your name comes up.

  • Veterans

  • Veterans should ask about SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families) for rapid rehousing and homelessness prevention. Start through 2-1-1 Tampa Bay Cares or your local VA.

Practical documentation checklist

Whether you’re applying for Medicaid, Marketplace coverage, utilities assistance, or housing help, the same documents come up again and again. Gather:

  • Photo ID (state ID or driver’s license)
  • Social Security card or number
  • Birth certificates for children
  • Proof of income (last 30–60 days pay stubs, award letters for Social Security/SSI/VA, unemployment)
  • Current lease, utility bills, past-due or disconnect notices (for utilities/housing aid)
  • Proof of Florida residency (mail with your name and address)
  • Immigration documents if applicable

Scan or photograph documents clearly and keep digital copies on your phone or email.

How to avoid coverage gaps and missed aid

  • Set up online accounts where possible:
  • ACCESS Florida for Medicaid/KidCare/SNAP
  • HealthCare.gov for Marketplace
  • Your utility provider’s online portal for bills and payment arrangements
  • Opt into text/email alerts for deadlines and notices.
  • If you move or change numbers, update all agencies the same week you move.
  • If you’re denied, read the notice closely—many denials are fixable with one or two documents. Appeal if you believe it’s wrong and you meet the rules.
  • Use 2-1-1 as your first stop for local, up-to-date referrals: 2-1-1 Tampa Bay Cares.

Our take: What to do first, based on your situation

  • I lost Medicaid or think I’m about to lose it
  • Log into ACCESS Florida to check your status and fix any missing info.

  • If coverage is gone or lapsing, immediately start a Marketplace application at HealthCare.gov using the “lost Medicaid” SEP.

  • My power or water bill is past due

  • Apply for county LIHEAP/utility assistance: Hillsborough or Pinellas.

  • Call your utility today to request a payment arrangement and ask about hardship programs: TECO, Duke Energy Florida.

  • I’m homeless or about to be

  • Call or text 2-1-1 for coordinated entry.
  • In Hillsborough, review resources via THHI. In Pinellas, check HLA.

  • Gather IDs, proof of income (if any), and medical/disability documentation.

  • I need a phone discount now that ACP ended

  • Apply for Lifeline through the Lifeline Support Center and ask your carrier about Lifeline-only plans.

Healing Tampa Bay can help you triage your options, complete applications, and submit documents correctly the first time. If you’re unsure where to start, pick one urgent goal—keeping coverage, stopping a shutoff, or preventing an eviction—and use the links above. Then contact us for hands-on support to finish the rest.