North Carolina delivers federal LIHEAP funding through two distinct programs administered by the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), Division of Social Services, through county Departments of Social Services (DSS) offices:
- LIEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program) — a one-time annual heating payment for the winter season
- CIP (Crisis Intervention Program) — year-round crisis assistance for heating and cooling emergencies
North Carolina’s LIEAP has a two-tier application schedule: households with a member age 60 or older, or disabled persons receiving services through the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services, can apply starting December 1; all other eligible households may apply starting January 1 through March 31 (or until funds are exhausted).
What Does North Carolina LIHEAP Cover?
LIEAP — Heating Assistance A one-time annual vendor payment directly to your heating utility or fuel supplier to help pay winter heating bills. Benefit range: $300 minimum to $500 maximum. Covers all residential heating fuels: electricity, natural gas, propane, fuel oil, kerosene, and wood. Program period: December 1 through March 31 (seniors/disabled from December 1; general public from January 1).
North Carolina also operates automated payments for some eligible households — similar to New York, certain households who previously received LIEAP may receive auto-renewal notifications or automated payments without needing to apply each year. Check with your county DSS office if you received LIEAP last year.
CIP — Crisis Intervention Program Emergency heating and cooling assistance for households in immediate danger of an energy crisis. Maximum: $600. Available year-round (October 1 through September 30). The CIP program is where North Carolina’s cooling assistance lives — cooling benefits are delivered under the crisis program, not as a separate seasonal component.
CIP qualifying situations:
- Utility shutoff notice or service already disconnected
- Running out of heating or cooling fuel
- Broken or non-functional heating or cooling system
- Unusually extreme weather (hot or cold) creating an emergency
Weatherization Assistance — free home energy efficiency upgrades. Maximum: $12,000. Income limit: 200% FPL (more generous than LIEAP/CIP income limits). Year-round.
North Carolina LIHEAP Income Limits 2026
North Carolina uses different income thresholds for LIEAP and CIP — a distinctive split structure:
LIEAP (Regular Heating):
- 130% of Federal Poverty Level for most households
- 150% of Federal Poverty Level for households with at least one member who is age 60 or older or disabled
CIP (Crisis — including cooling):
- 150% of Federal Poverty Level for all households
Weatherization:
- 200% of Federal Poverty Level
Based on 130% FPL (most LIEAP households):
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income Limit | Annual Gross Income Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,632 | $19,578 |
| 2 | $2,207 | $26,482 |
| 3 | $2,783 | $33,396 |
| 4 | $3,358 | $40,302 |
| 5 | $3,934 | $47,208 |
| 6 | $4,509 | $54,114 |
| Each additional | +$576/month | +$6,906/year |
Based on 150% FPL (LIEAP for 60+/disabled; CIP for all):
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income Limit | Annual Gross Income Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,881 | $22,590 |
| 2 | $2,546 | $30,570 |
| 3 | $3,213 | $38,550 |
| 4 | $3,878 | $46,530 |
| 5 | $4,544 | $54,510 |
| 6 | $5,209 | $62,490 |
| Each additional | +$666/month | +$7,980/year |
Based on 130% and 150% FPL. Confirm current guidelines at ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services/energy-assistance.
For a national comparison of LIHEAP income thresholds, see the LIHEAP eligibility guide.
No asset limit: North Carolina LIEAP and CIP have no asset test.
Utility must participate: Your household’s utility company must participate in the North Carolina LIHEAP program. Call your utility company to confirm participation before applying.
North Carolina’s Two-Tier Application Schedule
North Carolina’s priority application schedule is similar to Georgia and Indiana:
December 1 — Priority households apply first:
- Households with at least one member age 60 or older
- Disabled persons receiving services through the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services
These households have the entire month of December to apply before the general public window opens — and qualify at the higher 150% FPL threshold rather than 130% FPL.
January 1 — General public applies: All other eligible households may apply from January 1 through March 31, or until funds are exhausted.
2026 delayed opening note: The 2025–2026 LIEAP application period was delayed from the typical December 1 start to December 10, 2025, because of the federal government shutdown in late 2025 that delayed LIHEAP block grant funding to states. NCDHHS and county staff prepared in advance and opened as soon as funds were received.
Funding typically serves ~130,000+ households: In the 2024–2025 season, LIEAP provided about $45 million to more than 131,000 households statewide.
Who Qualifies for North Carolina LIEAP
To be eligible for LIEAP:
- At least one U.S. citizen or qualifying non-citizen in the household
- Income at or below 130% FPL (or 150% FPL for 60+/disabled households)
- Responsible for home heating costs — either directly billed to your utility or fuel vendor, or heat included in your rent
No asset limit. No specific age or disability requirement for basic LIEAP eligibility — but senior/disabled households qualify at the higher 150% FPL threshold and can apply a full month earlier.
Utility participation requirement: Your utility company must participate in NC LIHEAP. Confirm with your utility before applying.
How to Apply for North Carolina LIEAP
Step 1 — Contact Your County DSS Office
North Carolina LIEAP is applied for exclusively through your county’s Department of Social Services (DSS) office. NCDHHS administers the program at the state level but takes no direct applications.
Find your county DSS office at ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services/find-your-county-dss or call NCDHHS at 800-662-7030 (general assistance line; also used for SNAP and Medicaid in NC).
For general guidance on the LIHEAP application process, see how to apply for LIHEAP. North Carolina’s contacts are also listed in the LIHEAP phone number directory.
Step 2 — Apply Online via ePASS or In Person
Online: North Carolina uses the ePASS portal for online LIEAP, SNAP, Medicaid, and other DHHS benefits applications. Access ePASS at epass.nc.gov.
In person: Visit your county DSS office. Many counties also provide in-person assistance at local community organizations.
If you cannot travel to an office: Contact your county DSS to ask about alternative application methods. Some counties allow mail-in applications or phone applications for elderly and disabled applicants who cannot come in person.
Step 3 — Required Documents
- Proof of Social Security numbers for all household members
- Proof of income — pay stubs, Social Security/SSI benefit letters, SNAP award letters, pension statements, unemployment documentation
- Proof of address — rent receipt, lease, deed, or property tax bill
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or qualifying immigration status (birth certificate, school records, passport, or other documentation)
- Most recent utility or heating fuel bill showing your account number and service address
- For CIP (Crisis): termination notice from your utility company showing the shut-off date, or documentation of heating/cooling system failure
Step 4 — Benefit Payment
Approved LIEAP benefits are paid directly to your utility vendor — not to you. Processing time: contact your county DSS for specific timelines. To follow up on a submitted application, contact your county DSS or see how to track your LIHEAP application status.
North Carolina LIHEAP Funding 2026
North Carolina received $105,102,928 in federal LIHEAP funding for FY 2026. In FY 2024, North Carolina served 132,375 heating households and 96,619 crisis households (which includes cooling assistance), with 947 weatherization projects completed. Browse LIHEAP funding by state to compare North Carolina with other states.
The high CIP enrollment (96,619 crisis cases vs. 132,375 regular heating cases) reflects both the year-round availability of CIP and the fact that cooling benefits are folded into the crisis program — North Carolina households cannot apply for cooling assistance separately.
North Carolina Utility Assistance Programs
Duke Energy Progress Share the Light Fund — NCDHHS’s own energy assistance page lists this as a complementary program providing heating and cooling assistance to Duke Energy Progress customers in counties served by the company. Contact Duke Energy Progress or your local county DSS for availability.
Duke Energy Carolinas Power Manager — energy efficiency program for residential Duke Energy Carolinas customers, including low-income households. Contact Duke Energy directly.
Dominion Energy North Carolina Customer Assistance Program — monthly bill credits for income-qualifying Dominion Energy NC customers. Apply through Dominion Energy directly.
NC 211 — dial 211 or visit nc211.org for referrals to local energy assistance, food banks, housing, and other community programs across North Carolina.
Additional Resources for North Carolina Families
North Carolina SNAP: Check North Carolina SNAP income limits and see how to apply for SNAP in North Carolina.
North Carolina Medicaid: Check North Carolina Medicaid eligibility and income limits.
WIC: For families with a pregnant woman, breastfeeding mother, or child under 5. Check North Carolina WIC income eligibility.
211: Dial 211 for referrals to local energy assistance, food, housing, and other programs across North Carolina.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is LIEAP in North Carolina?
LIEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program) is North Carolina’s LIHEAP heating program — a one-time annual vendor payment of $300–$500 sent directly to your utility company to help pay winter heating bills. It runs December through March 31 (seniors/disabled from December 1; general public from January 1).
What are the income limits for North Carolina LIEAP?
Most households must have income at or below 130% FPL — about $3,358/month for a household of 4. Households with a member age 60 or older or disabled qualify at the higher 150% FPL — about $3,878/month for a household of 4. There is no asset limit.
What is the CIP and how is it different from LIEAP?
CIP (Crisis Intervention Program) provides emergency energy assistance — up to $600 — for households in immediate heating or cooling crisis (shutoff notice, running out of fuel, broken system). CIP is available year-round at 150% FPL. Cooling assistance in North Carolina is delivered through CIP, not through a separate seasonal cooling program.
When can elderly and disabled households apply?
Households with a member age 60+ or disabled persons receiving NC Division of Aging and Adult Services can apply starting December 1. All other eligible households apply starting January 1.
Does my utility company need to participate?
Yes — your household’s utility company must participate in the NC LIHEAP program. Call your utility to confirm before applying.
How do I apply for North Carolina LIEAP?
Contact your county Department of Social Services (DSS) office. Apply online through ePASS at epass.nc.gov, in person at your county DSS, or by alternative arrangement for those who cannot travel. Find your county DSS at ncdhhs.gov.
For current North Carolina LIEAP and CIP information, visit ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services/energy-assistance or contact your county Department of Social Services.