APPLICATION PERIOD FOR LOW-INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIEAP) ENDS MARCH 31

MEDIA RELEASE

BOLIVIA, N.C. – The deadline to submit applications for LIEAP, the annual energy assistance program, is coming up soon on Friday, March 31, 2023. Eligible applicants who have not yet applied are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.

The LIEAP, or Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, provides a one-time annual vendor payment to help eligible families offset winter heating expenses. The household’s total countable income for the base period must be equal to or less than 130% of the current poverty level, and the household’s total resources must be $2,250 or less.

All eligible households can apply online through the ePASS portal at epass.nc.gov. 

ePASS is a convenient way to apply for LIEAP, CIP, LIHWAP, Medicaid, and Food and Nutrition programs as well as update your address and telephone number.

Applicants can also submit a paper application through mail, fax, or by dropping it off at their local Social Services Department. Brunswick County Social Services has paper applications and a drop box available for applications outside of its offices (Building B, 60 Government Center Drive, Bolivia, 28422).

Brunswick County Social Services will only conduct interviews for the program over the phone. Individuals must provide a valid phone number on their application to ensure a Social Services team member can reach them in the event of questions or an interview.

All household applications will be accepted through March 31, 2023, or until funds are exhausted.

Applicants must provide the following information for all members of the household:

  • Name, date of birth, and social security number
  • Proof of income
  • Copy of the current heating source bill, with the applicant’s name, address, and account number.

Verifications can be dropped off at the Brunswick County Social Services office or emailed to [email protected].

To be eligible for the LIEAP program, a household must:

  • Have at least one U.S. citizen or non-citizen who meets the eligibility criteria
  • Have income equal to or less than 130% of the federal poverty limit
  • Have resources, such as saving and checking accounts and cash on hand, at or below $2,250. (Resources will not be counted for this year’s Season from December 1, 2022-March 31, 2023)
  • Be responsible for their heating cost

Brunswick County Social Services strongly encourages families to take advantage of the new ways to apply for assistance programs. For more information, please call 910.253.2422.

For more information on the program and eligibility, visit ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services/energy-assistance/low-income-energy-assistance-lieap.

BRUNSWICK COUNTY TO BEGIN ACCEPTING LOW-INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIEAP) APPLICATIONS ON DEC. 1

Brunswick County will begin accepting applications for LIEAP, the annual energy assistance program, for adults who are at least 60 years old or disabled on Dec. 1, 2022.

The LIEAP, or Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, provides a one-time annual vendor payment to help eligible households pay their heating bills during the cold winter months.

Eligible households containing a person aged 60 and above, or at least one disabled person receiving services through the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) can apply on Dec. 1.

Not all individuals will need to apply for this benefit. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) will issue automated payments for the 2022-2023 LIEAP season if a member of the household:

  1. Is age 60 or older or a person with a disability receiving services through the Division of Aging and Adult Services,
  2. Currently receives Food and Nutrition Services, and
  3. Received LIEAP during the 2021-2022 season.

These households were notified of eligibility in November and do not need to apply for this benefit.

Any household with a person age 60 or older or with a disability receiving DAAS services who did not receive notice of an automated payment is encouraged to submit an online application at epass.nc.gov, submit a paper application for LIEAP assistance through U.S. Mail, fax, or email their application to their local department of social services. Applications may also be dropped off at the local DSS, and applicants may contact their local DSS for information on how to obtain a paper application.

Brunswick County residents can email applications to [email protected]. Households who need to report a change or have questions regarding LIEAP may call 910.253.2422.

Beginning Jan. 3, 2023, all other households may apply online through the ePASS portal at epass.nc.gov or submit a paper application through mail, fax, or by dropping it off at their local DSS, but they do not have to go into the agency to apply. All household applications will be accepted from Jan. 3, 2023 to March 31, 2023, or until funds are exhausted.

To be eligible for the LIEAP program, a household must:

  • Have at least one U.S. citizen or non-citizen who meets the eligibility criteria
  • Have income equal to or less than 130% of the federal poverty limit
  • Have resources, such as saving and checking accounts and cash on hand, at or below $2,250
  • Be responsible for their heating cost

For more information on the program and eligibility, visit www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/low-income-services/low-income-energy-assistance.

Learn more about the Brunswick County Social Services department at brunswickcountync.gov/social-services.