◢ North Carolina · Utility Assistance · 2025-2026 Season
North Carolina's energy assistance program is called North Carolina Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). Below: the current income table, benefit amounts, apply link, and hotline.
Season
2025-26 season: priority application period December 1-31, 2025 for households with a person age 60+ or a disabled individual receiving Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) services.
Benefit range
One-time payment paid directly to the household's energy vendor.
Income standard
130% of Federal Poverty Level for standard applicants.
◢ Income eligibility
Gross income for the calendar month before you apply. If your household is at or below the limit, you qualify.
| Household size | Max monthly gross | Max annual gross |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $1,695 | $20,340 |
| 2 people | $2,291 | $27,492 |
| 3 people | $2,887 | $34,644 |
| 4 people | $3,483 | $41,796 |
| 5 people | $4,079 | $48,948 |
| 6 people | $4,675 | $56,100 |
| 7 people | $5,270 | $63,240 |
| 8 people | $5,866 | $70,392 |
| 9 people | $6,462 | $77,544 |
| 10 people | $7,058 | $84,696 |
Source: North Carolina state agency. Verified 2026-08-24. Some households above these limits may still qualify for crisis benefits.
◢ How much you can get
One-time payment paid directly to the household's energy vendor. Standard tiers: $500 (household of 4+ in lowest income tier), $400 (household of 4+ in second tier or household of 1-3 in lowest tier), $300 (household of 1-3 in second tier). Coal or wood heating: flat $300 regardless of household size or income tier.
◢ Beyond the regular grant
Households facing imminent disconnection or already disconnected apply to the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP), not LIEAP. CIP is year-round through your county DSS and can pay up to $600 per crisis (state limit; some counties supplement). LIEAP is a one-time seasonal benefit; CIP is emergency-specific.
North Carolina does not operate a cooling-only LIHEAP component. Households needing summer utility help apply through the year-round Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) at their county DSS when facing shutoff.
◢ How to apply
North Carolina accepts North Carolina Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) applications through multiple channels. Pick the one that fits your situation. Regular benefits are first-come, first-served, so apply as soon as the season opens.
Online through ePASS at epass.nc.gov (fastest)
In person at your county Department of Social Services (find yours at ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services)
By phone to your county DSS to request a mailed application
Dial 2-1-1 for NC statewide referral (United Way NC 211)
◢ What to bring
Every North Carolina household filing for North Carolina Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) needs the same core paperwork. Gather these first so the caseworker can process the application on the first visit.
Driver's license, state ID, passport, or birth certificate for every adult in the household.
Pay stubs, Social Security award letter, SSI/SSDI statement, unemployment benefit letter, or a signed self-employment statement.
Lease, mortgage statement, or a recent utility bill in your name at your current address.
Most recent bill from your primary heating source, plus SSNs for everyone in the household.
◢ Local offices
North Carolina Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is processed at the county level in North Carolina. Emergency benefits, in-person applications, and case questions all go through your county's Department of Social Services or equivalent office.
Local office
704-336-3000
Local office
919-212-7000
Local office
336-641-3000
Local office
336-703-3800
Local office
910-323-1540
◢ If your application is denied
Denial is not the end. Federal rule requires every North Carolina Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) denial notice to name the specific reason and give you an appeals path. Work through this order.
Look for the specific reason (income over limit, missing document, wrong heating source on file). Most denials are documentation issues, not eligibility.
In North Carolina, you generally have 60 days from the notice date to request a fair hearing. Do it in writing and keep the confirmation.
If the denial was for a missing document, you can typically reapply the same day with the corrected paperwork. No 30-day wait for documentation fixes.
If shutoff is imminent while you appeal, 211 routes to North Carolina community action agencies, faith-based emergency funds, and utility hardship programs that fill the gap.
◢ Official resources
Bookmark these. Every eligibility rule, dollar amount, and season date on this page traces back to one of these primary sources.
NCDHHS: Energy Assistance overview
www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services/energy-assistance
NCDHHS EP-300 LIEAP Manual (PDF, Change #5-2025)
policies.ncdhhs.gov/wp-content/uploads/EP-300_10.6.2025.pdf
NCDHHS: Crisis Intervention Program (CIP)
www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services/energy-assistance/crisis-intervention-program
LIHEAP Clearinghouse: NC State Profile
liheapch.acf.gov/profiles/NorthCarolina.htm
◢ North Carolina utility questions
North Carolina Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) uses 130% of Federal Poverty Level for standard applicants. 150% of Federal Poverty Level for households with a person age 60+ or a qualifying disabled individual receiving DAAS services. Verified against NCDHHS EP-300 LIEAP Manual, Change #5-2025, effective October 1, 2025. A one-person household must earn under $1,695 per month, with limits scaling by household size. The full table is above.
One-time payment paid directly to the household's energy vendor. Standard tiers: $500 (household of 4+ in lowest income tier), $400 (household of 4+ in second tier or household of 1-3 in lowest tier), $300 (household of 1-3 in second tier). Coal or wood heating: flat $300 regardless of household size or income tier.
2025-26 season: priority application period December 1-31, 2025 for households with a person age 60+ or a disabled individual receiving Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) services. General application period January 1 through March 31, 2026 or until funds are exhausted.
Households facing imminent disconnection or already disconnected apply to the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP), not LIEAP. CIP is year-round through your county DSS and can pay up to $600 per crisis (state limit; some counties supplement). LIEAP is a one-time seasonal benefit; CIP is emergency-specific. Call the emergency line at Contact your county DSS for Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) which operates year-round separately from LIEAP..
North Carolina does not operate a cooling-only LIHEAP component. Households needing summer utility help apply through the year-round Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) at their county DSS when facing shutoff.
Most states require: proof of identity (driver's license or state ID), proof of income for the last 30 days (pay stubs, benefit letters, SSI/SSDI award), a recent utility bill or lease, and Social Security numbers for everyone in the household. Bring citizenship or eligible-immigration documents if requested.
Editorial disclaimer
GrantsHubUSA is an independent editorial blog. We do not administer North Carolina Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) or process applications. Always confirm current eligibility, deadlines, and contact details with the North Carolina state agency before applying. See our full disclaimer.
