Florida Residency Guide

The below information was obtained from the Florida Residency Guide™

Florida Residency

Florida Taxes

Doing Business in Florida

Tuition: Residency for Tuition Purposes

Driver Licenses & Motor Vehicles

Vehicle Insurance Information

Other Insurance Information

Voter Registration

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florida residency

Declaration of Domicile

If you were born in Florida and have never lived in another state, there maybe no need for you to formally declare Florida residency. All others should consider filing a Declaration of Domicile to document their Florida residence. The Specific purpose of the Declaration of Domicile is to establish residency. To become a legal resident, file a Declaration of Domicile form with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where you reside. A Declaration of Domicile is sworn statement which says that you intend to make Florida your permanent home. There is no minimum tune requirement for having lived in Florida prior to completing this declaration. The clerk of the court’s office in your local county will be able to provide you with the required form and will record the Declaration of Domicile for a nominal fee. You will need to present a valid form of identification. Once the Declaration of Domicile has been filed, it is good throughout Florida and until you relocate outside of the state. For filling assistance and information, Florida’s clerk of the court websites and contacts can be located from the following web page: http://www.stateofflorida.com/courts

Establishing and Maintaining Florida Residency

In addition to filling a Declaration of Domicile, you will want to act appropriately in order to protect your claim to Florida residency. This includes severing ties with your previous state and spending the majority of your time in Florida, even though you may continue to visit or maintain a second residence in another state. Many states have lost significant tax revenue as a result of residents moving to Florida and other lower tax states. In a quest to increase tax revenue, these states may be more aggressive in seeking to negate your claim of permanent Florida residency, which includes potential tax claims against you or your estate. The more ties you have to Florida, and the fewer ties with your previous state, the more likely your Florida domicile will be respected. Below are examples of items which should be considered as you establish and maintain Florida residency. This is not intended to be a complete list and other items maybe applicable to your particular situation.

File a Declaration of Domicile;
Obtain a Florida diver’s license;
Register your motor vehicles and obtain Florida tags/license plates;
Register to vote and vote in Florida
Update your Will and other legal documents to conform with Florida law;
List Florida as your residence on all deeds and other legal documents;
Pay taxes in Florida and use your Florida address for filing your Federal income tax return;
Apply for Homestead Exemption in Florida;
Establish bank, brokerage and related financial accounts in Florida and transfer assets to your Florida accounts from other states;
Notify Social Security, Medicare or other agencies of your address change to Florida;
Use your Florida address on official documents, such as passports and driver’s licenses;
Maintain your safe deposit box in Florida.

Financial Advantages of Florida Residency

What are the advantages of Florida residency? In addition to the lifestyle advantages available to Floridians year-round, there is a strong possibility you will enjoy significantly reduced tax obligations compared with your previous state of residence. Qualifying residents receive special treatment for their homestead, which includes a $25,000 homestead exemption, effectively reducing the assessed value of your home for property tax purposes. Your homestead may also be exempt from creditors in Florida. Estate taxes for Florida residents are deducted from the amount claimed by the Federal Government and there is no State inheritance tax.

Florida Taxes

Sales Tax

Florida’s sales tax rate is 6%. Each retail sale, admission charge, storage, use, or rental is taxable, along with some services. Some items are specifically exempt. Some counties impose a discretionary sales surtax in addition to the 6% state tax. The county tax rates range from .5 to 1.5%, and are levied on the first $5,000 of the purchase price. Consumers pay sales tax and any county-imposed taxes to the seller at the time of purchase.

Use Tax

Unless specifically exempt, merchandise purchased out of state is subject to tax when brought into Florida within six months of the purchase date. This “use tax,” as it is commonly called, is also assessed at the rate of 6%. Examples of such taxable purchases include purchases made by mail order or the Internet, furniture delivered from dealers located in another state, and computer equipment delivered by common carrier. Items purchased and used in another state for 6 months or longer are not subject to use tax when the items are later brought into Florida. No tax is due if the out-of-state dealer charged sales tax of 6% or more. If the dealer charged less than 6%, you must pay the difference to equal 6%. Complete an Out-of-State Purchase Form (Form DR-15MO) to file and pay use tax. If the tax owed is less than $1, you do not have to file.

Ad Valorem (Property) Tax

If you purchase a home in Florida, you will pay ad valorem or “property” tax based on the taxable value of the property. Ad valorem taxes are assessed by the county appraiser and collected annually by the county tax collector’s office.

Homestead Exemption for Florida Residents

A $25,000 homestead exemption is available to homeowners who meet certain requirements. Certain exemptions are also available to blind persons and other physically-challenged residents. Every person who has legal or equitable title to real property in the State of Florida and who resides on the property on January 1 and in good faith makes it his or her permanent home is eligible for a homestead exemption.

Intangible Personal Property Tax

In Florida, “intangible personal property” tax must be paid on all personal property which is not in itself valuable, but derives its chief value from that which it represents, including but not limited to: Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, money market funds, loans, and certain accounts receivable. This is an annual tax based on the market value, as of January 1, of the intangible property owned by a Florida resident or other person obligated to pay the tax.

Taxable assets are taxed at a rate of $1 per thousand dollars of value.

Every Florida resident who (on January 1) owns, manages, or controls intangible personal property must file a Florida Intangible Personal Property Tax Return for Individual and Joint Filers (Form DR-601I), unless the tax due, before discount, is less than $60. The return can be filed as early as January and is late if postmarked after June 30. Discounts apply for early payments; penalties and interest apply for late payments. Many assets are specifically exempt from this tax. Exempt assets include: Money, franchises, qualified IRAs, employee retirement plans, and deferred compensation plans.

Increase of Tax Exemptions

Effective July 01, 2003, the standard exemptions were increased for the annual intangible tax due on property assessed for taxation. Every individual filing for an intangible tax return is entitled to an exemption of the first $250,000 value of the property subject to the annual tax. A husband and wife filing jointly will be entitled to an exemption of $500,000. Other taxpayers receive and exemption of $250,000. Before this date, the standard exemption levels were $20,000 for individuals and $40,000 for a married couple, with other taxpayers receiving no standard exemption. As of 2006, these rates are still applicable.

Estate Tax

There is no Florida estate tax due for estates of those who die after December 31, 2004. While no Florida estate tax is due, a Florida estate tax return must be submitted to the State of Florida for estates where a federal estate tax return is required to be filed. To figure out whether or not a federal estate tax return must be filed, the value of the gross estate must be determined. This is based upon real and personal property, such as:

Real Estate
Money
Life Insurance
Annuities
Stocks
Bonds
Accounts Receivable
Notes Receivable
Equipment
Autos
Furniture
Artwork and
Jewelry

If the value of the gross estate meets or exceeds the federal threshold, a federal estate tax return must be filed. The 2006 threshold is $2,000,000. For 2005, this amount was $1,500,000. A federal return does not need to be filed for estates with a gross value below the respective thresholds and, in turn, a Florida state return does not need to be filed.

Estate Tax Planning

Prospective Florida residents considering a move from states that have high “death tax” rates may seek to reduce or eliminate their family’s estate tax obligations through prudent planning. As a result of changes in the federal estate tax system, and in response to federal tax reductions which have significantly lowered death tax collections in many states, a numbers of states are “decoupling” their death tax from the federal estate tax. The result is often dramatic tax increases for wealthier residents of states which have severed their ties to the federal estate tax. This situation is not the case in Florida. Which does not place a tax burden on the estate beyond what the federal government imposes. For additional estate planning considerations for Florida residents, or a more complete exploration of opportunities applicable to your particular situation, it is recommended that you review your estate and tax plans with your Florida attorney and tax professional.

Florida Business Taxes

Most businesses are subject to sales and use tax, discretionary sales surtax, unemployment tax, corporate income tax, and intangible personal property tax. If your business is required to collect sales tax, you must register as a sales and use tax dealer before you begin conducting business in Florida. You can register online at the Florida Department of Revenue’s website or complete a paper Application to Collect and/or Report Tax in Florida (Form DR-1).

Doing Business in Florida

A business is any enterprise or venture in which a person sells, buys, exchanges, barters, deals or represents the dealing in any thing or article of value, or renders services for compensation. If you are considering moving your business to Florida, or if you are planning to do business while you are here, review information provided for Florida businesses at State of Florida.com online at: http://www.stateofflorida.com/Portal/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=8

For more detailed information, State of Florida.com also publishes the Florida Business Guide, a hard copy guide for new and existing Florida businesses. This publication includes step-by-step instructions to assist you in establishing and registering your business. The Florida Business Guide gets you up to speed on Florida business requirements, labor laws, and directs you to appropriate resources for specific regulatory issues.

Tuition: Residency for Tuition Purposes

A person may be considered a Florida resident for the purpose of paying taxes, voting or other legal purposes after residing in the state for a designated length of time; however, Florida Statues specify additional requirements that must be met before students may be classified as “in-state” for tuition purposes.

Living in or attending school in Florida will not itself establish legal residence for tuition purposes.

Generally, a Florida “resident for tuition purposes” is a person who has, or a dependent whose parent or legal guardian has, established and maintained legal has, established and maintained legal residency in Florida for at least twelve months. To qualify as a Florida resident for tuition purposes, you must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or legal alien granted indefinite stay by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Other persons not meeting the twelve-month legal residence requirement may be classified as Florida residents for tuition purposes only is they fall within one of a limited number of special categories (e.g., military, public school teachers, etc.). All other persons are ineligible for classification as a Florida resident for tuition purposes.

Please note that students who are dependent on out-of-state parents or who come to Florida for educational purposes are generally ineligible for reclassification to Florida resident status. Such students who depend on out-of-state parents for support are presumed to be legal residents of the same state as their parents. In such instances, rent receipts, leases, employment records, tax returns, school/college records are insufficient evidence to establish legal Florida residence for tuition purposes, even if these could otherwise be used to document that a person has lived in Florida a specified period of time.

When in doubt, or for guidance regarding your particular residency situation, contact the admissions office of your community college or Florida public university.

Driver Licenses and Motor Vehicles

If you are moving to Florida and need to get a driver’s license and register your vehicle:

If you have an out-of-state license, and it has not expired beyond 30 days, you may be able to convert your license without taking a written or road test. You will need to have a vision screening. Call a local driver license office and schedule an appointment. To locate the nearest driver license office: Visit: http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/office Call 1-850-922-9000
Obtain vehicle insurance from a company license to do business in Florida
Take your proof of Florida insurance, along with the original vehicle title to your local county tax collector. When the title is held by a lienholder, the local tax collector’s office will assist you in getting the original sent to Florida. Then, when the Florida title is issued recording the lien, it will be returned to the lienholder.
Prior to issuance of a Florida title, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle must be verified. The VIN does not require verification when the vehicle is new and a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin is submitted. The VIN must be verified by one of the following:
- A law enforcement office from any state
- A licensed dealer from Florida
- A county tax collector employee or Division of Motor Vehicle Compliance Examiner
- Provost Marshal or commissioned officer in active military service, with a rank of 2nd lieutenant or higher
- Florida notary
- Form HSMV 82042, Part A needs to be completed and signed. This form is also available at your local tax collector’s office.

When do you need to have a Florida driver license?

If you live in Florida and want to drive a motor vehicle on public streets and highways.
If you move to Florida and have a valid license from another state, you must get a Florida license within 30 days of becoming a resident. You are considered a resident of Florida if you:
- Enroll your children in public school
- Register to vote
- File for homestead exemption
- Accept employment
- Reside in Florida for more than six consecutive months.

Who does not need a Florida driver license?

The following persons may drive in Florida without having a Florida driver license if they have a valid license from another state or country:

Any non-resident who is at least 16 years old
Persons employed by the United States Government driving a United States Government motor vehicle on official business
Any non-resident working for a firm on a contract for the United States Government (this exemption is only for 60 days)
Any non-resident attending college in Florida
Persons who drive only vehicles like farm tractors or road machines temporarily on the highway may drive without a license, and
A licensed driver who lives in another state and travels regularly between his home and work in Florida
Non-resident migrant farm workers even though they are employed or place children in the public schools, providing they have a valid license from their home state
Members of the Armed Forces stationed in Florida and their dependents, with these exceptions:

Service member or spouse claims homestead exemption (all drivers in family must obtain Florida licenses
Service member becomes employed (all drivers in family must obtain Florida licenses)
Spouse becomes employed (spouse and children who drive must obtain Florida licenses)
Child becomes employed (only employed child who drives must obtain Florida license)

Identification Card (Optional Identification)

If you do not drive and need an identification card, you can apply for one at any driver license office. To get the identification card, you must:

Be 12 years old or older. (Note that certain counties have no minimum age requirement and any person can be issued an identification card if applying for a disabled parking permit.)
Present your official Social Security card that was issued by the Social Security Administration
Present identification.

The card will contain your color photograph, full name, gender, address, date of birth, and other date the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles may require. Identification cards are valid for four years. Citizens 60 years of age or older are issued a “non-expiring” identification card.

Proper Identification is Required

Florida law requires identification, proof of date of birth and social security number before a driver license or identification card can be issued. Each application for an original driver license or identification card must provide two approved forms of identification. Each piece of identification must be the original or a certified copy.

First Time Drivers Substance Abuse Education Requirement

If you have never been issued a license in any jurisdiction (state or country), you will be required to complete a traffic law and substance abuse education course before you can be issued a license. For you convenience, the Substance Abuse Education (Drug Alcohol Traffic Awareness) requirement for all first time drivers can be met through a variety of course options, including the following online course offered in association with the American Safety Council. http://www.firsttimedriver.com

Change of Address

You must obtain a new license showing your new address within 10 days of the change.

Name Changes

You must bring a court order or marriage certificate to a driver license office to prove your name change within 10 days of the change. Documents must be original or certified copies.

Non-United States Citizens

Original Driver License or Identification Card – Florida requirements include proper identification, proof of date of birth and social security number (if issued) before a driver license or identification card can be issued. Specific requirements are applicable to immigrants as well as non-immigrants.

Canadian Citizens

Under federal law, Canadian citizens are non-immigrants and are allowed to stay in the U.S. without obtaining U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) documentation. Canadians without such documents must provide proof of Canadian citizenship to be issued a Florida driver license or identification card by presenting two of the following documents:

Canadian passport
Canadian driver license
Original or certified Canadian birth certificate, and
Canadian Naturalization Certificate

If you are not a Canadian citizen and have a Canadian driver license, you are required to provide the same proof of legal presence as any other non-U.S. citizen.

Renewals, Duplicates or Replacements for Non-United States Citizens

Any immigrant holding a driver license or identification card who needs a renewal, duplicate or replacement driver license or identification card must apply in person at a driver license office at least one time after March 1, 2002, and represent his/her identification documents required by Florida law. Any non-immigrant holding a driver license or identification card who needs a renewal, duplicate or replacement driver license or identification card must apply in person at a driver license office and present identification and legal presence documents.

Name Change for Non-United States Citizens

If you have legally changed your name by marriage or court order, you must have your order changed on your CIS documents. A receipt from CIS indicating Form I-90 has been filed for a name change is acceptable for a name change on your driver license or identification card.

Note to Canadian Citizens:

If you have legally changed your name by marriage or court order, you must have your name changed on your Canadian license, and/or passport before applying for a name change on your Florida driver license or identification card.

Florida Motor Vehicle Insurance Laws

Motor vehicle insurance is mandatory in Florida
You cannot keep your existing insurance policy from another state
Insurance must be “Florida” coverage, issued by an insurance company licensed by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
You must have insurance in order to register a vehicle in Florida (four or more wheels),; and
You must maintain at least minimum required insurance coverage at all times for registered vehicles

Any person who has a vehicle in Florida for more than 90 days during a 365-day period must purchase personal injury protection and property damage liability insurance coverage. The 90 days do not have to be consecutive. (This applies to those who are in Florida for personal as well as business travel.)

In Florida, there are two motor vehicle insurance laws. They are the Financial Responsibility Law and the No-Fault Law. It is important that you understand these laws because if you do not have the proper insurance, you can lose your driver license and tag(s) and have to pay substantial fees to get them back.

The Financial Responsibility Law

The reason for the Financial Responsibility Law is to require owners and operators of motor vehicles to be financially responsible for damages and/or injuries they may cause to others when a motor vehicle accident happens. This law required any person to have liability insurance at the time of the following:

A crash where you are at fault
A suspension for too many points against your driver license
A citation for DUI, which results in revocation
A revocation for Habitual Traffic Offender, and
A revocation for any serious offense where this department is required to revoke your license

You must have the following minimum insurance coverage:

$10,000 Bodily Injury Liability (BIL)
$20,000 Bodily Injury Liability to two or more persons
$10,000 Property Damage Liability (PDL), and
$30,000 Combined single limits

If involved in any or the above violations and you do not have insurance to comply with the financial responsibility law, your driver license and/or tags will be suspended for up to three years. You will have to pay a $15 reinstatement few and show the department certified proof of full liability insurance on Form SR-22 for three years from the original suspension date to get your driving privilege back. In addition, if you are the driver or the owner of a vehicle which is in a crash that is your fault, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles may require you to pay for the damages before your driving privilege is reinstated. Under this law, to protect yourself and others, you should have liability insurance on any motor vehicle you own or drive, including motorcycles.

The No-Fault Law

The Florida No-Fault Law requires anyone who owns or has registered a motor vehicle with four or more wheels (excluding taxis and limousines) that has been in the state for at least 90 days or non-consecutive days during the past 365 days, to purchase a policy delivered or issued for delivery in Florida. The minimum coverages are:

$10,000 of Personal Injury Protection (PIP), and
$10,000 of Property Damage Liability (PDL)

You cannot buy a tag and registration for a car, or other four wheel vehicle, without having coverage issued in Florida. Once you have this insurance, anytime you renew it, fail to renew it, or cancel it, the insurance company must notify the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. You must maintain insurance coverage during the entire time that the vehicle is registered in your name. If the vehicle is in storage or not in working order or if you wish to cancel the insurance for any reason, you must turn in the tag and registration at any Driver License Office or mail these to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Vehicle Insurance Information

Your insurance company will give you an insurance I.D. Card. You must have this card ready to show to any police office to prove that you have the required insurance. If not, you may receive a ticket for not having proof of insurance. How to comply:

By purchasing a motor vehicle insurance policy from a company licensed to do business in Florida
By obtaining a Financial Responsibility Certificate from the Bureau of Financial Responsibility after posting a satisfactory surety bond of a company licensed to do business in Florida
By obtaining a Self-insurance Certificate from the Bureau of Financial Responsibility by depositing cash or securities with the Department, or
By obtaining a Self-Insurance Certificate from the Bureau of Financial Responsibility by providing satisfactory proof of financial responsibility

Types of Insurance

Personal Injury Protection

Personal Injury Protection (or “PIP”) insurance is coverage that will compensate a loss due to injury regardless of who is charged with causing the crash. PIP applies to bodily injury, relatives who live in your home and passengers who are not required to have PIP, as well as licensed drivers who drive your vehicle with your permission. PIP insurance also protects you if you are injured as a pedestrian or bicyclist as long as the injury is caused by an accident involving a motor vehicle.

Bodily Injury Liability

Bodily Injury Liability (or “BIL”) coverage pays for serious and permanent injury or death to other when you cause an accident involving your automobile. Your insurance company will pay for injuries up to the limits of your policy and provide legal representation for you if you get sued. In particular, your company pays for injuries cause by you or members of your family who live with you, or even if they were driving someone else’s vehicle. It may also cover others who drive your automobile with your permission. This coverage also provides you with legal defense in the event you are sued by the injured party.

Note:

If you have been in an accident or have been convicted or certain offences, you may be required to purchase bodily injury liability coverage.

Property Damage Liability

Personal Damage Liability (or “PDL”) coverage pays for damages you or members of your family cause (and are liable for) to other people’s property in a crash involving a motor vehicle.

Insurance Rates

Motor Vehicle Insurance Rates can be affected by a number of factors. Some factors that may affect your insurance rate for automobile insurance in Florida include:

Your age and gender
Your driving history
The type and age of automobile you drive
The existence of anti-theft devices on your vehicle
The distance you drive from home to work
The number of years you have had your license
The existence of your safety devices on your vehicle, and
Your geographic area

How to save money on insurance for younger drivers: • Grades – Most insurance companies will offer a rate reduction for students who maintain a “B” or better GPA. • Driver’s Education Class – Most insurance companies will also give discounts for students who pass their high school’s drivers’ education course. • Additional Driver – Including a younger driver on their parent’s policy is cheaper than having an individual policy for a young driver.

Insurance Information for Military Personnel

Military personnel are exempt from providing proof of Florida insurance in the following circumstances:

The military member is an owner or co-owner of the vehicle
Or the military member is a Florida resident stationed outside of Florida

In addition, an out-of-state address must be shown on the Florida Vehicle Registration Certificate. You must also provide a copy of the military orders or an affidavit from the military member’s commanding officer, which confirms the military orders and the date of the assignment.

You must submit an affidavit stating the vehicle will not be driven in the State of Florida.

Motor Vehicle Registration

In the State of Florida, a motor vehicle is required by law to be registered within ten days of the owner either becoming employed, placing children in public school, or establishing residency

The 12-month registration period begins the first day of the owner’s birth month. Company-owned vehicles use the month of June. The full amount is charged for the registration period regardless of when during the registration period the vehicle is registered. Once your vehicle is registered, Florida law requires the registration certificate or an official copy to be the possession of the operator of the motor vehicle or carried in the vehicle at all times. You must be able to produce this for law enforcement upon demand.

Registering your motor vehicle goes hand-in-hand with the titling process.

If registering a vehicle out of state, you will need to complete the application for certificate for title which is available from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us). Mail the completed form to your local Florida county tax collector or license plate agency. If registering a vehicle in person, you will need to submit the original title and proof of Florida insurance to the local county tax collector or license plate agency.

Other Insurance Information

Insuring Your Florida Home

Homeowners insurance helps pay to repair or rebuild your home and replace personal possessions lost due to theft, fire, or other disasters. Florida law does not require homeowners insurance, however some cities and counties require liability coverage if you own certain pets or have a swimming pool. Liability coverage pays for non-automobile related injuries to other people, damage to their property, for which are legally responsible. If you have a mortgage, the lender will require full insurance coverage on the structure, including flood insurance if located in an indicated zone, fire, liability, windstorm, etc. Some developers and subdivisions may also require you to have insurance. All homeowners policies provide liability coverage.

Health Insurance

Before purchasing insurance, you will want to verify whether the company is an authorized insurer in Florida. In most cases, benefits would be guaranteed through the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (FIGA) and the Florida Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association (FLHIGA). If you buy from an unauthorized company, you may not be protected by Florida laws and rules that regulate the way a company does business in our state.

FIGA pays the claims of property and casualty authorized insurers if the company becomes insolvent and cannot pay.
FLHIGA pays the claims of life and health authorized insurers if the company becomes insolvent and cannot pay.

Health Care Assistance for Children

FloridaKidCare – The Florida KidCare program offers affordable, low-cost health insurance for uninsured children in Florida. Children are eligible for Florida KidCare if they:

Do not have health insurance, and
Are under age 19, and
Are U.S. citizens or qualified non-citizens, and
Are not dependents of a state employee, and
Meet income eligibility requirements.

Application materials and information can be obtained from: http://www.floridakidcare.org or toll free (888) 540-5437.

The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation – This is a public-private initiative established in 1990 by the Florida Legislature to improve access to comprehensive health insurance for Florida’s uninsured children. The corporation helps thousands of uninsured children gain access to affordable, quality health care. Healthy Kids acts as a quasi-single payer financing mechanism by aggregating local, state, federal and family funds to pay premiums to commercial health plans that assume insurance risk.

To receive an application for the Healthy Kids program: http://www.healthykids.org or toll free (888) 540-5437.

Senior Pharmacy Resources

Sunshine for Seniors – This is a prescription assistance program to help eligible seniors enroll in existing pharmaceutical patient assistance programs. To potentially qualify, you must be at least 60 years old, your current insurance must not cover prescription drug costs and you must need a more affordable prescription drug plan. For more information, call the Elder Helpline toll free at (800) 963-5337.

Senior Prescription Affordability Act – Provides two ways of assistance. One part allows Florida residents with Medicare cards to buy, under certain circumstances, prescription drugs for a discounted price. The second part provides financial assistance to eligible seniors. To qualify for the program, a beneficiary must:

Be a Florida resident age 65 or over;
Be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, but not enrolled in a Medicare HMO that provides a pharmacy benefit; and
Have income between 90-120% of the federal poverty level (between $696 and $835 per month based on 2000 poverty guidelines for a single person household).

Monthly benefits will be limited to $80 and there is a 10% co-payment requirement. Generic subscription is also required. For more information, contact the Elder Helpline toll free at (800) 963-5337.

Silver Saver – Program provides $160 a month in prescription drug benefits and serves elderly Floridians who are Medicare eligible and have family incomes between 88-20% of the federal poverty level. There is no enrollment fee, membership fees or any other monthly frees. There is only a small co-payment system: $2 for generic drugs, $5 for drugs on the state’s preferred drug list and $15 for those drugs not on the preferred drug list. The Silver Saver benefits could cover the cost for u to as many as nine prescription drugs per month.

Voter Registration

In order to register to vote in Florida, a citizen must swear or affirm an oath and sign the voter registration application form. You must be a permanent resident of the county where you register to vote. Register at the Supervisor of Elections office in the county where you reside. In addition to their local supervisor of election’s office, Floridians may also register to vote at various state agencies which provide services to the public. This includes driver license offices, public libraries, etc. You may also request an application by mail or register online.

To register, you must:

Be a U.S. citizen;
Be a Florida resident;
Be 18 years old ( you may pre-register if you are 17);
Not now be adjudicated mentally incapacitated with respect to voting in Florida or any other state;
Not have been convicted of a felony without your civil rights having been restored pursuant to law; and
Not claim the right to vote in another county or state.

Additional Information: http://election.dos.state.fl.us