Dare County shares details on locally available assistance programs

The Dare County Department of Health & Human Services recently provided details on ongoing and upcoming programs that are designed to assist local families in need during the holidays and beyond.

Information on these individual programs that operate in connection with Dare County, (including how to qualify and apply for assistance), is listed below.

Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)

Beginning January 3, 2022, households can apply for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) online at www.epass.nc.gov. This helps make it easy and convenient to apply for this program in a safe and socially distant way.

Applicants can also print a paper application from www.epass.nc.gov or pick up a paper application to mail, fax, or drop off at the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services – Social Services Division offices in Manteo or Frisco or call to apply by phone.

LIEAP applications will be accepted from Jan. 3, 2022 to March 31, 2022 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

Pandemic LIEAP

Also this year, a pandemic LIEAP program was created using the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.  Households with children ages 0-10 that are receiving FNS and received LIEAP last Fiscal Year 2020-2021 will be automatically eligible for authorized payments to the heating vendor.

IMPORTANT:  These households will receive a notice with pre populated information from the 2020-2021 LIEAP application. The households will be instructed to update any changes to their heating source and account information and return it to either the Manteo or Frisco office.  For this program. income and resources are not counted.  Funds will be sent directly to the heating vendor.

Crisis Intervention Program

Crisis Intervention applications will be accepted until June 30, 2022, or until funds are exhausted. To be eligible for the CIP program, a household must:

• Have at least one U.S. citizen or non-citizen who meets the eligibility criteria
• Meet the income test
• Have an energy-related crisis
• Have a utility statement that shows how much is owed to alleviate the crisis
• Must have a health-related or life-threatening emergency

For more information on the energy programs and eligibility, visit the CIP and LIEAP websites, https://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/low-income-services/crisis-intervention-program and https://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/low-income-services/low-income-energy-assistance

Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

Beginning January 3, 2022, all households that are in danger of having their water service cut off can apply for assistance if they meet the eligibility requirements. To be eligible for the LIHWAP program, a household must have at least one U.S. citizen or non-citizen and:

• Have income equal to or less than 150% of the federal poverty level,
• Have household services that are disconnected, in jeopardy of disconnection or have a current outstanding bill, and
• Be responsible for the water bill

Applications will be accepted until Sept. 30, 2023, or until funds are exhausted.

Households can apply for LIHWAP online at www.epass.nc.gov., by printing a paper application from www.epass.nc.gov, or pick up a paper application to mail, fax, or drop off at the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services – Social Services Division offices in Manteo or Frisco or call to apply by phone.

Dare County Department of Health & Human Services strongly encourages families to take advantage of all the new ways to apply for energy programs. For more information, please call 252.475.5500.