Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) will begin taking applications for
help with energy bills starting on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011. This year
DSS was awarded $1,056,285 in LIEAP funds. Last fiscal year, DSS
awarded $5,556,743 in LIEAP funds to over 25,000 households.
LIEAP has been helping low-income residents with their heating costs
in Mecklenburg County for over twenty years in some form, but this
year the North Carolina General Assembly has made changes in who is
eligible as well as the process by which to apply. Those changes are
detailed below:
DSS will be taking LIEAP applications from residents who meet the
following criteria starting on Dec. 1:
· All members of the household must be 60 years of age or older
· Applicants must be disabled persons (receives SSI, SSA or VA
disability) who are receiving services through the Division of Aging
and Adult Services (DAAS)
· Applicants must meet income requirements of no more than 130%
of the poverty level
· Payments will be made directly to utility companies during
the month of the application, payments will not be made to the applicant
· Everyone who is eligible must apply, no one will be
'automatically' approved
· Applications can be made at either DSS location:
o Kuralt Center, 301 Billingsley Road, Charlotte, or
o Chapin Hall, 3205 Freedom Drive, Charlotte
LIEAP applications will be taken through Jan. 31, 2012 or until funds
are exhausted. If funds remain past this date, other eligible
households, such as households with children under 5 years of age at
up to 130% of poverty level receiving public assistance, will be
allowed to apply through Mar. 31, 2011 or until funds are spent.
