Western North Carolinians relying on the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) to pay heating bills could soon see payments stop at the end of November.
As the federal shutdown heads into its 42 day, the longest shutdown in U.S. history, funding could be delayed for LIEAP. The federally-funded program helps more than 200,000 households in North Carolina. Its applications are split in two categories.
The priority group applies for assistance from Dec. 1-31. These households include people ages 60 or older or people with disabilities who are receiving services through the state’s Division of Aging and Adult Services. Eligible participants must earn 150% above the poverty line. For example, a one-person household making $23,475 a year is considered 150% above the poverty level.
All other low-income households can apply for assistance between Jan. 1 to March 31. Eligible applicants must earn 130% of the poverty line, which is $20,345 a year for a one-person household.
Buncombe County served 1,529 households through the program last year, 221 of those were elderly or disabled according to Kimberly Fullerton, program administrator for the county’s health and human services department.
The program provides a one-time payment to utility companies such as Duke Energy or French Broad Electric to help eligible households pay their heating bills.
Summer Tonizzo, senior media relations manager for the NC Department of Health and Human Services, told BPR in an email that households who are part of the elderly or disabled group may automatically be approved again this year.
“If the government shutdown continues, no additional funding will be available, and new applications will not be accepted,” Tonizzo said. “Only those who are pre-approved will receive assistance.
County officials add that unless there's a budget passed at the federal level, there is no more funding.
