Mecklenburg County, North Carolina – Residents who have difficulty paying their heating bills in the winter can seek help from the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services (DSS). The Low-income energy assistance program (LIEAP) provides federal dollars to help low-income households meet their immediate heating and energy needs so they don’t have to choose between heating their homes and buying other basic necessities. Residents don’t have to be late on their energy bills to receive a one-time payment in the amount of $ 300, $ 400 or $ 500 depending on their primary heating source.

The Department of Social Services will begin processing LIEAP applications on December 1, 2021 for people aged 60 and over or people with disabilities receiving services through the Division of Elderly and Adult Services (DAAS). All other households can apply on January 4, 2022.

Households must meet the following criteria:

• At least one eligible U.S. citizen or legal resident
• Be responsible for the cost of heating
• Income equal to or less than 130% of the federal poverty line

In addition to the application, an interview will be required and applicants will need to provide:

• Identification
• Utility bill
• Social Security number
• Proof of income (e.g. earned income (salary from a job), child support, social security benefits, self-employment income, unemployment benefits)

If the applicant does not have this information at the time of application, they can still apply and provide the information later. If approved, a one-time payment will be made directly to the applicant’s primary heating utility. No payment will be made to the applicant. LIEAP assistance is available until March 31, 2022 or until funds are exhausted.

New this year, individuals aged 60 and over or persons with disabilities receiving services from the Division of Elderly and Adult Services (DAAS) who received LIEAP payments in fiscal year 2021 are eligible for the payments. Automatic LIEAP. Payments will automatically be credited to the accounts of the heating services of eligible households.

Year-round energy assistance is also available through the Crisis Intervention Program (PIC).

CIP helps individuals and families who are experiencing a cooling or heating crisis, a life-threatening or health-related emergency, and who have overdue or final notice.

ASK FOR ENERGY HELP:

• Visit AllAccess.MeckNC.gov to request benefits, submit documents for existing cases and more.
• Visit https://epass.nc.gov/ to apply online.
  
• Send the completed application to 301 Billingsley Road, Charlotte, NC 28211.
• Send the completed application to Energy-CIP-LIEAP@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.
• Call our DSS call center at 704-336-3000 to complete a telephone request. An energy representative will contact the applicant to begin the interview process.
• Submit a completed application or come forward to apply at any of the DSS locations:
• Wallace Kuralt Center, 301 Billingsley Road, Charlotte, NC 28211
• Community Resource Center, 3205 Freedom Drive, Suite 1000, Building A, Charlotte, NC 28208

To learn more about the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) or the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP), visit MeckNC.gov/energy.