The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Low Income Household Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) began accepting applications from the general public for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) on January 2, 2025. For the 25 counties that were 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 January 15, 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.
“Our friends and family in western North Carolina will feel the impacts from Hurricane Helene for years to come,” said Carla West, Division Director of Human Services for Child Support, Economic Services, Aging, and Operations. “We are only midway through winter, and these funds are critical to keep residents safe and warm as they continue to recover and rebuild.”
Disaster Energy Assistance is a temporary emergency program that helps eligible households and families afford energy heating services after a natural disaster or an emergency. The program provides assistance for eligible low-income households to provide, restore, or continue heating sources. Disaster Energy Assistance is available until funds are exhausted.
Individuals in one of the identified 25 disaster-declared counties can apply in person or via telephone with their local Department of Social Services. In Alexander County, learn more at https://dss.alexandercountync.gov or call (828) 632-1080.
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
Disaster Energy Assistance was created after NCDHHS was appropriated $9 million in state funds from the NC General Assembly to help assist these disaster areas with heating-related costs and repairs as a result of Hurricane Helene.