Energy Assistance Programs

Low Income Energy Assistance (LIEAP)

The 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.

Households including a person aged 60 or older, or an individual receiving disability benefits and services through the N.C. Division of Aging and Adult Services, are eligible to sign up for assistance from Dec. 1 – 31. All other households may apply from Jan. 1 – March 31, 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
  • Be responsible for its heating costs

How to Apply: 

Households including a person aged 60 or older, or an individual receiving disability benefits and services through the N.C. Division of Aging and Adult Services, are eligible to sign up for assistance from Dec. 1 – 31. All other households may apply from Jan. 1 – March 31, or until funds are exhausted. Contact your local Department of Social Services for the application dates and for additional information on LIEAP.

Contact: 

Social Services at 704-732-0738

Crisis Intervention Program (CIP)

The Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) is a Federally funded program that assists individuals and families who are experiencing a heating or cooling related crisis. A household is considered to be in a crisis if it is currently experiencing or is in danger of experiencing a life threatening or health related emergency and sufficient, timely and appropriate assistance is not available from any other source. Life threatening is defined as a household which has no heating or cooling source or has a disconnect notice for their primary heating or cooling service and the health or well-being of a household member would be in danger if the heating or cooling crisis was not alleviated. Each household should be evaluated on a case by case basis to determine if there is a heating or cooling crisis.

Applications are taken beginning July 1 through June 30 of each year or until the CIP allocation is exhausted, whichever comes first.

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 the income test
  • Have an energy related crisis
  • Have a utility statement that shows how much is owed to alleviate the crisis