FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Beginning Dec. 1, the Cumberland County Department of Social Services is accepting applications for the North Carolina Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) to help qualified families with their heating costs. The federally funded program provides a one-time vendor payment to help eligible households pay their heating bills.
Households including a person aged 60 or older or disabled persons receiving services through the N.C. Division of Aging and Adult Services that did not receive an automated LIEAP notice, are eligible to sign up for assistance from Dec. 1 – 31. Disabled persons are defined as those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Administration (SSA), or Veterans Administration (VA) disability.
All other households may apply from Jan. 2 through March 31, or until funds are exhausted.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services announced in November 2022, they will issue an automated payment for eligible seniors and people with disabilities who received LIEAP benefits last year (2021-2022). These benefits will be paid directly to their energy vendor.
Eligible households who qualify for the LIEAP Automatic Payments for the 2022-2023 season, must meet the following criteria:
- Households with persons aged 60 or older
- Households with disabled individuals receiving DAAS services and
- Currently receiving Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) and
- Received a LIEAP payment during the 2021-2022 LIEAP season
The following verifications must be provided to determine eligibility:
Identification for applicant, Social Security numbers for all household members, copy of heating bill, proof of gross income received in the prior month, proof of childcare expenses, legal support obligations paid in the prior month.
Apply for LIEAP online at NCDHHS - ePASS or submit applications via fax to 910-677-2885 or email to energyprogram@ccdssnc.com or by mail to P.O. Box 2429, Fayetteville, NC 28302. Applications may also be dropped off in person at DSS at drop boxes located on the Hillsboro Street side of the building, located at 1225 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28301.
Households that include a Native American who is 18 years of age or older residing in Cumberland County, who wish to apply for LIEAP benefits, must do so through the Lumbee Tribe at lumbeetribe.com/services.
For more information, contact the DSS LIEAP message line at 910-677-2821 or the Cumberland County Department of Social Services at 910-323-1540.