Applicaton process begins for low-income household heating assistance

With temperatures dropping, low-income North Carolina residents can soon apply for assistance with heating bills. 

The state’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program will begin accepting applications on Monday.

The federally funded program offers one-time payments sent directly to heating vendors to help offset the costs of keeping homes warm.

According to a news release from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the initial application process is for households with a person aged 60 or older or a person currently receiving disability benefits.

All other eligible households can apply beginning January 2.

New applicants should have at least one U.S. citizen or non-citizen in the household who meets eligibility requirements, have income equal to or less than 130 percent of the federal poverty limit, and be responsible for their heating cost.

Last winter, the program provided nearly $48 million to help more than 134,000 households pay their heating bills.