Your patients might be eligible! Two NCDHHS options to help them keep warm this winter!

NCDHHS' Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is a federally-funded program that provides for a one-time vendor payment to help eligible households pay their heating bills.

While households including a person aged 60 or older, or disabled persons receiving services through the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services were eligible to sign up in the month of December, all other households may apply now through March 31, 2025 or until funds are exhausted.

Households that meet the following criteria may be eligible:

• Have at least one U.S. citizen or non-citizen who meets the eligibility criteria.
• Meet an income test
• Have reserves at or below $2,250. (Resources will not be counted for this year's season from December 1, 2022-March 31, 2023)
• Be responsible for its heating costs.

More details about eligibility criteria

Disaster Energy Assistance Funding for counties in Hurricane Helene's path

For the 25 counties that were heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene, additional Disaster Energy Assistance funding has been appropriated by the NC General Assembly to assist households with heating costs and repairs during the colder winter months.

Beginning Jan. 15, 2025, applications for these additional Disaster Energy Assistance funds will be accepted for eligible households residing in one of the 25 identified disaster counties during and after Hurricane Helene. These counties are Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties. 

Households can apply for both LIEAP and the Disaster Energy Assistance funding. Households with heating services or systems that require repairs, are currently inoperable, have been disconnected or are at risk of having their services disconnected can also apply for the Disaster Energy Assistance funds.

Eligible households will receive assistance based on household circumstances and need. 

To be eligible for Disaster Energy Assistance, a household must have at least one U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen and:

• Have income equal to or less than 60% of the state median income
• Have resided in one of the identified 25 disaster declared counties listed above during Hurricane Helene and are currently residing in one of those 25 counties
• Have been impacted and suffered a loss because of Hurricane Helene

Source: NCDHHS

Picture used with permission