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Raleig, NC December 1, 2021
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will begin accepting applications through county departments of social services for the State Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) today.
The federally funded program assists low-income households with a one-time payment directly to their heating provider to offset the high cost of heating their homes during cold weather months. Depending on the home’s main heating source, the payment will be $ 300, $ 400, or $ 500. Thousands of eligible households will receive an automated LIEAP payment.
“More of our neighbors may be facing financial difficulties due to COVID-19, and this funding can help eligible households with their heating costs this winter,” said Carla West, senior director of economic security for NCDHHS. “We want to make sure that older people and people with disabilities are healthy and safe during a difficult time of year.”
Payments are automatically distributed to heating providers from those who receive specific services or follow an application process. Automated payments will begin on December 1 and are designed to help eligible seniors and people with disabilities access winter heating assistance in a safe and socially distanced manner during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligible households may qualify to receive an automatic payment for the 2021-2022 LIEAP season if a household member:
1. You are age 60 or older or a person with a disability who receives services through the Division of Aging and Adult Services ,
2. You currently receive Food and Nutrition Services and
3. Received LIEAP during the 2020-2021 season.
These households were notified of their eligibility in November and do not need to apply for this benefit.
Any household with a person 60 years of age or older or with a disability who receives DAAS services and has not received notification of an automatic payment is encouraged to practice social distancing and submit an application online at epass.nc.gov , apply by phone, submit document Apply for LIEAP assistance via US mail or fax your application to your addresslocal department of social services . Applications can also be submitted to the local DSS, and applicants can contact their local DSS for information on how to obtain a paper application.
On January 3, 2022, all other eligible households can begin applying. To be eligible for the LIEAP program, a household must:
- Have at least one US citizen or non-citizen who meets the eligibility criteria.
- Have an income equal to or less than 130% of the federal poverty limit.
- Have resources, such as checking and savings accounts and cash on hand, of $ 2,250 or less (resources will not be counted for the 2021-2022 LIEAP season)
- Be responsible for your heating cost
Households can apply online through the ePASS portal at epass.nc.gov, by phone, or by submitting a paper application by mail, fax, or by turning it in at their local DSS, without having to go to the agency to apply. . Individuals can also contact their local DSS to apply. All home applications will be accepted from January 3, 2022 through March 31, 2022 or until funds are exhausted.
Last year, the program provided approximately $ 59 million to help more than 168,000 households pay their heating bills from December 2020 through March 2021. For more information about the program and eligibility, visit www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/low-income-services/ Low Income Energy Assistance.
