The Cumberland County Department of Social Services will begin accepting applications for the North Carolina Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) starting Dec. 1 to help qualified families with their heating costs. The federally funded program provides a one-time vendor payment to help eligible households pay their heating bills. Energy benefits will be paid directly to the vendor.
Priority households include individuals aged 60 or older and households with a disabled individual receiving services through the N.C. Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) that received LIEAP last fiscal year (2022-2023). These households will be eligible for auto LIEAP payments again this year.
Individuals aged 60 or older and disabled persons that did not receive an automated LIEAP notice, are eligible to sign up for assistance from Dec. 1 to 31. Disabled persons are defined as those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Administration (SSA) or Veterans Administration (VA) disability.
All other households may apply from Jan. 2 through March 31, or until funds are exhausted.
Cumberland County DSS encourages all residents interested in applying for LIEAP to apply online at https://epass.nc.gov. Scanning the QR code with your mobile device will direct you there. This is the fastest and easiest way to apply for LIEAP benefits, during your allotted timeframe.
Households that include an enrolled member of the Lumbee Tribe residing in Cumberland County, who wish to apply for LIEAP benefits, must do so through the Lumbee Tribe at lumbeetribe.com/services.
For more information, contact the LIEAP message line at 910-677-2821 or contact DSS at 910-323-1540.
