Florida Power & Light (FPL) is offering a one-time $200 credit to help residential customers with low to moderate incomes reduce their electric bills. This credit, part of the company's Saving Steps program, is directly applied to the electricity bill.
The credit is not provided in cash and is contingent upon the availability of funds in specific areas. It may take up to 90 days for the credit to appear on the account.
Targeting ALICE Households
This initiative is aimed at households that fall under the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) criteria, as defined by United Way. These are families who earn too much to qualify for government aid but still struggle to meet basic living expenses.
In 2024, nearly 47% of Florida households, approximately 4.27 million, were below this threshold, highlighting a significant number of potential beneficiaries, including many Cuban families residing in the southern part of the state.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet five criteria to qualify: be an active residential customer of FPL at a serviceable address; have no history of account fraud; have a household income at or below the ALICE threshold for their county; not have previously received this credit at the same account or address; and complete a series of educational videos on energy saving.
Both renters and homeowners are eligible to apply. FPL states, "This program is designed to help qualified ALICE households start saving on energy and reduce their monthly bills, whether they rent or own their homes."
Application Process
The application process differs based on previous assistance history. Those who have received LIHEAP, EHEAP, or FPL Care To Share within the last year can directly watch the educational videos and then submit their application. FPL will confirm the credit within up to 60 days.
For those who haven't received such assistance, the process is more extensive: first, verify income using United Way's ALICE calculator—selecting the state, county, and entering household size and income—then validate income with FPL's partner, The Salvation Army, via the fplsavingsteps.com portal.
This complete procedure could take up to 90 days, as The Salvation Army typically processes verifications within 30 days, and FPL takes up to 60 additional days to confirm the credit.
When registering with The Salvation Army, it's crucial to use the same email and zip code used during the energy savings journey; otherwise, the Saving Steps option may not be available on the portal.
Accepted income documents include pay stubs, Social Security disability statements, veterans' pensions, workers' compensation, TANF, retirements, child support, and alimony, among others.
Limited Funds and Emergency Alternatives
It is important to note that FPL might stop accepting applications in specific areas when local funding is depleted. If the system indicates that requests are no longer accepted in an area upon entering the site, the company advises checking back later, as funding may become available again.
This credit does not replace emergency assistance. Those needing immediate help to prevent disconnection should turn to FPL's emergency assistance programs, which include options like Care To Share—providing up to $750 over 12 months—or LIHEAP and Care To Share for Miami-Dade, which can cover up to $2,000 in energy crisis situations.
The credit is particularly significant given the current rate context: as of January 2026, the typical FPL residential bill for 1,000 kWh rose to $136.64 per month in the peninsula, with further increases expected to reach $148.15 by December 2029.
The $200 from Saving Steps effectively covers about a month and a half of bills for a typical household.
Understanding FPL's Saving Steps Program
What is the ALICE metric?
The ALICE metric, developed by United Way, stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. It describes households that earn too much to qualify for government assistance but still face financial difficulties in meeting basic needs.
How does the $200 credit benefit FPL customers?
The $200 credit provides financial relief by reducing electric bills, effectively covering about a month and a half of charges for a typical household, helping to ease the financial burden on customers.
Who can apply for FPL's Saving Steps credit?
Both renters and homeowners who are active FPL residential customers meeting specific income criteria and other conditions are eligible to apply for the Saving Steps credit.