Beginning Dec. 1, 2024, the Cumberland County Department of Social Services (DSS) will accept applications for the North Carolina Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) to help qualified families with heating costs. The federally funded program provides a one-time vendor payment to help eligible households pay their heating bills.

Priority households include individuals age 60 or older and households with a disabled individual receiving services through the N.C. Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) who received LIEAP last fiscal year, 2023-2024. These households will be eligible for automatic LIEAP payments this year.

Individuals age 60 or older, and disabled persons who did not receive an automated LIEAP notice, are eligible to sign up for assistance from Dec. 1 to Dec. 31. Disabled persons are defined as those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Administration (SSA) or Veterans Administration (VA) disability benefits.

All other households may apply from Jan. 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025, or until funds are exhausted.

Cumberland County DSS encourages all residents interested in applying for LIEAP to apply online at www.epass.nc.gov.

Additional application methods to apply are:

• Fax to 910-677-2885
• Email to energyprogram@ccdssnc.com
• Mail to P.O. Box 2429 Fayetteville, NC 28302
• Drop off at boxes located on the Hillsboro St. side of the DSS building at 1225 Ramsey St., Fayetteville
• Households may also apply in person, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Energy benefits will be paid directly to the vendor.

Households including a Native American who is 18 years of age or older 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 DSS LIEAP message line at 910-677-2821 or the Cumberland County Department of Social Services at 910-323-1540.