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Florida residents struggling to pay rising electric bills

Average monthly electric bill in Florida about 13% higher than national average
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DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — Is your budget busted by higher gas and food prices?

The cost of using an air conditioner doesn't help with the bills as the summer heat ramps up. Some seniors say their recent utility bills are so high they can't pay them and need help.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average home's monthly electric bill in Florida is a little more than $125, which is about 13% higher than the national average.

A group of seniors in Delray Beach showed WPTV their monthly bills, which were almost three times that amount. 

"How many of your last electric bills were as high or almost as high as what you’ve ever paid?" asked Contact 5 reporter Dave Bohman.

All of them raised their hands.  

Veronica Bowleg, senior struggling to pay electric bill
Veronica Bowleg discusses the struggles she is facing paying her rising electric bills.

WPTV's news partner at the Palm Beach Post reported in January that Florida Power & Light raised its rates in 2022 by about $20 per 1,000 kilowatt-hours or about 18%.

The seniors said that the rate hike is showing up big time this summer.

"How many of you are going to have trouble paying your bills?" Bohman asked.  

Six of the eight people raised their hands. 

Veronica Bowleg,66, will have more trouble than most other people.

She just received last month's bill, and she's already a month behind.

"The total bill was $592.09 for two months," Bowleg said as she opened the envelope. "A lot of money."

That's too much for a woman who can't work because of her disabilities, and who now helps raise her granddaughter after the untimely death of her son.

"My Social Security is not getting any higher, but my bills are getting higher and higher," Bowleg said.

James Green, director of  Palm Beach County Community Services Department
James Green discusses some of the programs available to residents who need help paying their utility bills.

She asked WPTV where she could turn for help, and we guided her to the Palm Beach County Community Services Department, which offers programs that help veterans, senior citizens and people with low incomes pay their bills.

James Green, the department's director, said he is seeing more people asking for help.

"I think with things like inflation and the price of food going up, and gas and so many other things that people’s finances are spread thin," Green said.

Below are links to area energy assistance programs in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast: 

Palm Beach County 

 Call 561-335-4793 

Martin County
Electric Assistance
Call 772-288-5456 

St. Lucie County 
Utility Assistance
Call 800-330-3491 

Indian River County 
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Call 772-562-4177 

Okeechobee County 
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Call 863-357-2240