Florida · Resources
The numbers you actually need — Florida.
Phone numbers, agencies, free legal help, forms, and the statutes our topic guides cite. The page to bookmark when you don’t want to dig.
If you need help right now
State Medicaid agency
The office that determines eligibility and runs the program
Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) — Medicaid
Apply for Medicaid through ACCESS Florida. DCF handles eligibility determinations; AHCA administers the program.
Aging services — your entry point
Single number that routes to your local Area Agency on Aging
Florida Department of Elder Affairs
Statewide Elder Helpline. Connects to Area Agencies on Aging in 11 planning and service areas.
Adult Protective Services
If you suspect abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation, call this number
Free Medicare counseling (SHIP)
Federally-funded, unbiased — not selling you a plan
SHINE — Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders
Florida's federally-funded SHIP program. Free, unbiased Medicare counseling through volunteers in every county.
State health department
Regulates nursing homes and licensed facilities
Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)
Regulates nursing facilities, assisted living, and the Florida Medicaid program.
Finding a lawyer
Bar referral first, legal aid if income-qualified
The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service
Florida Senior Legal Helpline
Free legal advice for Floridians 60+ on civil legal matters.
Florida Legal Services
Statewide nonprofit coordinating local legal aid programs.
Nonprofits worth knowing
State chapters and organizations focused on aging in this state
Alzheimer's Association — Florida chapters
24/7 helpline, caregiver support groups, education across 4 Florida chapters.
AARP Florida
Statewide advocacy and caregiver resources.
Florida Council on Aging
Professional association of aging-services providers.
Other hotlines
Numbers worth saving in your phone
- 1-800-633-4227
Medicare (federal)
1-800-MEDICARE — 24/7 federal Medicare helpline.
- 1-800-963-5337
Florida Elder Helpline
Single point of entry for elder services statewide.
- 211
211 Florida
Local community resource referrals 24/7.
Forms & templates
Official Florida document references
Florida Designation of Health Care Surrogate
Statutory form under FS §765.202. Free template from Florida Bar.
Florida Living Will
Statutory form under FS §765.302.
Florida Durable Power of Attorney
Florida Power of Attorney Act forms (FS §709.2101 et seq., revised 2011). Florida-specific drafting recommended.
POLST / DNR
Florida Pre-Hospital DNR Order — Form DH1896, issued by FDOH.
Key statutes we cite
Florida laws referenced across our topic guides
| Citation | Subject |
|---|---|
| FS §709.2101 et seq. | Florida Power of Attorney Act |
| FS §765.202 | Designation of Health Care Surrogate |
| FS §765.302 | Living Will |
| FS §718.112 | Condo Reserves / SIRS Law (post-Surfside) |
| FS §720 | Homeowner Associations |
| FS §736 | Florida Trust Code |
| FS §731-735 | Florida Probate Code |
| FS §732.201 | Elective Share (Surviving Spouse) |
| FL Const. Art. X §4 | Homestead Exemption (unlimited home value) |
More from Florida
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