Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)

LIEAP

Beginning Friday, Dec. 1, the Carteret 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 automated LIEAP notice, are eligible to sign up for assistance on Dec. 1, 2023. 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, 2024 through March 31, 2024, or until funds are exhausted.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services announced in December 2023, they will issue an automated payment for eligible seniors and people with disabilities who received LIEAP benefits last year (2022-2023). These benefits will be paid directly to their energy vendor.

Eligible households who qualify for the LIEAP Automatic Payments for the 2023-2024 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 2022-2023 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 252-648-7462 or by mail to P.O. Box 779 Beaufort, NC 28516. Applications may also be dropped off in person at DSS located at 210 Craven Street, Beaufort, NC 28516.

Carteret County DSS strongly encourages families to take advantage of all the new ways to apply for assistance programs. For more information, contact Carteret County DSS at 252-728-3181, option 5 or visit www.carteretcountync.gov/144/Social-Services.

Applicants can apply online at epass.nc.gov or can submit a paper application through the mail, fax or by dropping it off at the Social Services Department. Individuals who are homebound or unable to mail or drop off applications can contact DSS at 252-728-3181, option 5 to complete the application by phone. For more information call 252-728-3181, option 5 or apply in person during the applicable times of the year.