LIHEAP North Carolina 2026-27: LIEAP Dates and Limits

Applying is free, and the money goes to your utility or fuel dealer. There's no North Carolina "energy grant" offered by text, phone call or social media.

LIEAP vs. CIP: North Carolina's Two Energy Programs at a Glance

North Carolina doesn't use the name LIHEAP for anything you apply to. The federal block grant pays for 2 county-run programs, and they work very differently:

According to the NCDHHS Energy Assistance page (opens in a new tab), weatherization and the Heating and Air Repair and Replacement Program (HARRP) are partly paid from the same block grant but run by the Department of Environmental Quality through local community action agencies, not DSS.

Getting both is allowed. The EP-400 CIP manual (opens in a new tab) says receiving CIP doesn't affect a household's eligibility for LIEAP. A household can use CIP in November to stop a shutoff and still apply for LIEAP in December or January.

NC LIEAP Application Windows for 2026-27

The EP-300 LIEAP manual (opens in a new tab), effective October 1, 2026, sets the windows. The NCDHHS LIEAP page (opens in a new tab) says the same:

The manual says that if December 1 or January 1 falls on a weekend or holiday, counties use the first working day. December 1, 2026 is a Tuesday. January 1, 2027 is a holiday, so the general window starts on Monday, January 4, 2027. March 31, 2027 is a Wednesday.

Who counts in the priority group is about the household, not the applicant. The manual's own examples: a 40-year-old applicant who lives with a 65-year-old can apply in December, and so can a 50-year-old whose household includes a 40-year-old adult with a disability receiving DAAS services. But a 45-year-old disabled applicant who doesn't receive DAAS services can apply in December without qualifying for December benefits, and must reapply from January 1.

The common mistake: waiting until January when you qualify for December. If your household includes someone 60 or older, December is your window, and funds are approved based on what the county has left at the time your application is decided.

Counties don't always open on the first day. One county in eastern North Carolina, Pitt County, opened its priority window on December 10, 2025 and its general window on January 2, 2026, according to WITN's December 9, 2025 report. For 2026-27, HHS released the first 90% of FY2027 LIHEAP block grant funds on October 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab), but your county still sets its own intake procedures, so call DSS before you go.

NC LIEAP Income Limits and Payment Amounts for 2026-27

North Carolina counts gross countable income for the month before you apply, not last year's tax return. Change notice 03-2026 updated the limits for federal fiscal year 2027, effective October 1, 2026. Here are the monthly limits from the EP-300 manual:

North Carolina's limit is lower than most states use. The LIHEAP Clearinghouse income eligibility table (opens in a new tab) shows most states at 150% of poverty or 60% of state median income for heating, while North Carolina uses 130% for heating, 150% for crisis and 200% for weatherization.

Payment amounts. LIEAP pays one of three amounts, sent to the energy provider, based on household size and where your income falls under the limit. From the EP-300 manual's 130% chart:

The 150% chart works the same way with higher bands; a one-person household in the special group gets $400 at $998 a month or less and $300 from $999 to $1,995. Households that heat with coal or wood get $300 regardless of size. The manual also says that when a county has $500 or less left, it may approve an even $200, $300, $400 or $500, but never a partial amount like $70.

Resources. The October 2026 manual still says resources weren't counted for LIEAP from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, and lists limits of $4,500 for households with someone 60 or older or disabled and $3,000 for everyone else. That language hadn't been updated for 2026-27 when Grantsights checked, so ask your county DSS whether savings count this season. For CIP, the same $4,500 and $3,000 limits apply.

The Crisis Intervention Program (CIP)

CIP is North Carolina's year-round emergency program, and it covers cooling as well as heating. According to the NCDHHS CIP page (opens in a new tab) and the EP-400 manual effective October 1, 2026:

• Who qualifies: a household with at least one U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, income at or below 150% of poverty ($4,125 a month for four people in the table above), resources under the limit, an energy-related crisis, and a utility statement showing what's owed.
• What counts as a crisis: the heating or cooling source is disconnected, or the household has no heating or cooling source, or has a disconnect, final or past-due notice, and someone's health or well-being would be in danger without help. NCDHHS says a disconnect notice isn't required at this time; a final notice or past-due bill plus a health-related or life-threatening emergency can qualify.
• No fixed seasons: the October 2026 manual says CIP doesn't set heating or cooling months, because weather varies across the state. Someone applying for cooling help in October during a stretch in the low 80s shouldn't be denied just because it's fall.
• How much: up to $600 per federal fiscal year, and only the amount needed. If the crisis costs more than $600, the county must look for other resources, negotiate with the vendor, or counsel you on options before denying.
• How fast: authorized within 48 hours (2 business days) of the application, or 18 hours for a life-threatening crisis, if no more verification is needed. If DSS asks for documents, you have 2 business days to return them or the application is denied.
• How to apply: by mail, email, fax or drop-off at your county DSS, or through ePASS. NCDHHS says a face-to-face interview isn't required, and the manual allows a telephone interview and telephonic signature.

What CIP money can pay for, per section 400.04 of the October 2026 manual:

If your heat pump or furnace needs a repair costing more than $600, the manual tells DSS workers to refer you to the Weatherization Program run through DEQ's local providers. The manual also says to give special attention to households with people over 60 or children 5 and under when buying air conditioners. And if your gas furnace needs electricity to run, the electric bill can qualify as a heating bill.

How to Apply, County by County

Every LIEAP and CIP application belongs to the DSS office in the county where you live. NCDHHS's local DSS directory (opens in a new tab) lists all 100 county offices.

1. Online: submit through NCDHHS ePASS (opens in a new tab). The manual says an online application still needs an interview, but it can be by phone.
2. Phone, mail, email, fax or drop-off: call your county DSS. Under EP-300, a county must let you sign an application the day you come in during the open window, and appointments aren't required for LIEAP.
3. Native American households: the manual says households that include a Native American adult living in Cumberland, Hoke, Robeson or Scotland counties apply for LIEAP through the Lumbee Tribe, and those in Cherokee, Graham, Haywood, Jackson or Swain counties apply through the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
4. Bring: ID, proof of address such as a lease, Social Security numbers, citizenship or immigration status, pay stubs or tax forms, award letters for benefits, and copies of your heating bills, per the NCDHHS LIEAP page.
5. Bill in someone else's name? The manual says you'll need a written statement from that person confirming you pay it. LIEAP can't pay a bill in a deceased person's name or a minor child's name, so transfer the account first.
6. Answer DSS fast. If DSS sends a DSS-8185 asking for information, LIEAP applications are denied on the 20th day if it isn't returned.

For general questions, the NCDHHS Customer Service Center is 1-800-662-7030. NCDHHS also lists local utility funds: the Duke Energy Progress Share the Light Fund, Piedmont Natural Gas Share the Warmth, the Wake Electric Round Up and Haywood EMC's Helping Each Member Cope program.

Duke Energy and NCUC Winter Shutoff Rules

North Carolina has no temperature-based shutoff ban. The LIHEAP Clearinghouse disconnection table (opens in a new tab) lists no temperature, heat or extreme weather protections for the state. What it has is a winter rule for older and disabled households, in the NCUC rules for Chapter 12 (opens in a new tab): Rule R12-11 for electric service and R12-10 for natural gas.

The winter rule's age is 65, not 60. That's a trap: a 62-year-old can get LIEAP in December but isn't covered by the NCUC winter protection unless someone in the home is disabled. The DSS certification is the step people miss. If you're 65 or older or disabled and behind in winter, ask your county DSS to certify your CIP eligibility and give that to the utility.

Duke Energy. Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress are electric utilities regulated by the NCUC, so R12-11 applies to them. Duke's payment assistance pages, checked October 28, 2026, don't describe a separate cold-weather shutoff policy. They point customers to agencies through a Payment Assistance Finder and say agency pledges may not cover the full balance. WFAE reported on March 31, 2026 that Duke Energy Carolinas disconnected nearly 10,000 customers in February 2026, and that disconnections more than doubled in February after January's winter storms, and that about one fifth of its customers are behind. Don't assume a cold spell protects you.

EMCs and city utilities aren't generally regulated by the NCUC, per the Clearinghouse's note that commission rules apply to regulated utilities. Ask your co-op or city utility about its own policy.

To dispute a termination, call the Public Staff's Consumer Services Division at 919-733-9277.

Duke Energy's $42 Credit Ends December 31, 2026

Duke Energy's Customer Assistance Program (opens in a new tab) is a 3-year pilot approved by the NCUC that gives a flat monthly credit of up to $42 to customers approved for LIEAP or CIP on their Duke electric bill. Duke applies it automatically once NCDHHS notifies it of your approval.

Two honest limits:

• It ends December 31, 2026. Duke says no CAP credits will be issued after that date. A December LIEAP approval may bring only one or two credits.
• It can't take your bill below $14. Duke says the credit can't lower a bill beyond the $14 basic customer charge, and unused credit doesn't roll over.

Duke says customers who move between Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress territory must reapply. If you're approved for LIEAP in December, check your next Duke bill for the credit.

North Carolina LIHEAP Funding Compared With Other States

North Carolina's federal LIHEAP obligations for FY2025 totaled $110,304,013 (Assistance Listing 93.568), according to USAspending.gov FY2025 data in the award search (opens in a new tab). Grantsights analysis of USAspending.gov FY2025 obligations found that's $9.85 per North Carolina resident using the Census Bureau's 2025 estimate of 11,197,968, against $11.94 for the 50 states and D.C. That's 82% of the national figure and ranks North Carolina 38th of 51.

Source: USAspending.gov (opens in a new tab) FY2025 obligations for 93.568 by recipient state; Census Bureau Vintage 2025 state population estimates (July 1, 2025).

Specifically, at the national per-resident rate North Carolina would have received about $133.7 million, roughly $23.4 million more than its $110.3 million. North Carolina still received the 13th-largest LIHEAP total of any state because of its size. For DOE weatherization, USAspending.gov (opens in a new tab) FY2025 data show $52,486,825 in Weatherization Assistance obligations (81.042) to North Carolina, or $4.69 per resident against $5.61 nationally.

What it means for you: with fixed county allocations and a "until funds are exhausted" rule, the January window can close early in some counties. Apply in the first week you're eligible.

What NCDHHS's Energy Pages Don't Tell You

The NCDHHS web pages cover the basics. The policy manuals hold the details that change outcomes:

1. The posted income charts are a year old. As of October 28, 2026, the LIEAP and CIP pages link to "FY2026" charts. The manual effective October 1, 2026 has higher limits: $3,575 a month for a family of four under 130%, up from $3,483. Use the manual's numbers.
2. The chart and the manual disagree on age. The FY2026 chart PDF describes the 150% group as 65 or older, but the October 2026 manual says 60 and above for both the December window and the 150% limit. Go by the manual, and ask DSS if you're 60 to 64.
3. CIP can stack with LIEAP. The manual says CIP receipt doesn't affect LIEAP eligibility. Many people assume they've "used up" their help.
4. CIP has no season. A cooling crisis in October or a heating crisis in a cold May can both qualify.
5. The winter shutoff rule needs DSS certification. It covers households with someone 65 or older or disabled, and only when DSS certifies crisis eligibility. Get that certification in writing.
6. The Duke credit is closing. The $42 monthly CAP credit ends December 31, 2026, so don't build next year's budget around it.

Avoid North Carolina Energy Assistance Scams

LIEAP and CIP pay your vendor, not you, and no one can charge you to apply.

• No "energy grant" arrives by text or social media. The FTC's government grant scams page (opens in a new tab) says offers of free government grants for personal bills are scams.
• Duke doesn't demand gift cards. The FTC's page on scammers who pretend to be your utility company (opens in a new tab) flags demands for immediate payment by gift card, wire, cryptocurrency or payment app. Hang up and call the number on your bill.
• ePASS is at epass.nc.gov. Don't enter your Social Security number on a look-alike site found through an ad.

Report LIHEAP impersonation to the HHS fraud hotline at 1-800-447-8477 and scams to ReportFraud.ftc.gov (opens in a new tab).

Other Help With North Carolina Utility Bills

• Weatherization and HARRP: run through local community action agencies under the Department of Environmental Quality, with a 200% of poverty limit for weatherization in the Clearinghouse table. See our home repair and weatherization grants guide.
• 211: dial 211 for local emergency funds and church or charity utility help.
• Food and cash help: see our SNAP guide and TANF cash assistance guide; North Carolina's TANF program is Work First.
• Older adults: our help for seniors guide covers other programs for people 60 and up.
• Neighboring states: see LIHEAP Georgia or our Florida LIHEAP guide.

North Carolina households don't get energy grants; they get LIEAP, CIP and utility funds. Grantsights' free eligibility checker is built around that fact. Choose "Individual," then "Personal financial help" (or "Student"), and instead of grants it lists official routes: the USA.gov benefit finder, rental help, help with bills, food help, studentaid.gov and the 211 line.

FAQ: North Carolina LIEAP and CIP Questions

When can I apply for LIEAP in North Carolina for 2026-27?

Households with someone 60 or older, or a disabled person receiving DAAS services, apply December 1 to 31, 2026. Everyone else applies from Monday, January 4, 2027 (the first working day) through March 31, 2027, or until funds run out.

What are the NC LIEAP income limits for 2026-27?

Gross income for the month before you apply at or below 130% of poverty ($1,729 for one person, $3,575 for four), or 150% for households with someone 60+ or disabled through DAAS ($1,995 for one, $4,125 for four).

How much does LIEAP pay in North Carolina?

A one-time vendor payment of $300, $400 or $500, depending on household size and income band. Coal and wood heat get $300.

What is the maximum Crisis Intervention Program payment in North Carolina?

$600 per federal fiscal year, only as much as the crisis needs. Up to $1,000 per crisis is allowed only when the Division releases extra funds.

How do I apply for energy assistance in North Carolina?

Use ePASS at epass.nc.gov or contact your county DSS. LIEAP doesn't require an appointment, and CIP doesn't require a face-to-face interview.

Can Duke Energy shut off my power in winter in North Carolina?

From November 1 to March 31, not without NCUC approval if someone in the home is 65 or older or disabled, you can't pay, and DSS certifies you're eligible for crisis help. There's no statewide temperature-based ban.

Is the Duke Energy $42 monthly credit still available?

Through December 31, 2026, for Duke customers approved for LIEAP or CIP. The pilot ends after that.

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Sources

1. NCDHHS: Energy Assistance (opens in a new tab) - programs, utility funds, weatherization administered by DEQ
2. NCDHHS: Low Income Energy Assistance (LIEAP) (opens in a new tab) - windows, documents, ePASS
3. NCDHHS: Crisis Intervention Program (opens in a new tab) - crisis definition, resource limits, application methods
4. NCDHHS Energy Programs Manual EP-300, LIEAP, Change 04-2026, October 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - priority group, FY2027 income limits, payment chart, tribal intake
5. NCDHHS Energy Programs Manual EP-400, CIP, Change 04-2026, October 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - $600 maximum, 48-hour and 18-hour time frames, 150% income table
6. NCDHHS change notice 03-2026 (opens in a new tab) - federal fiscal year 2027 poverty levels effective October 1, 2026
7. NCDHHS Local DSS Directory (opens in a new tab) and NCDHHS ePASS (opens in a new tab)
8. NCUC Rules, Chapter 12 (opens in a new tab) - R12-10 (gas) and R12-11 (electric) disconnection rules
9. Duke Energy: Customer Assistance Program (opens in a new tab) - $42 credit, December 31, 2026 end date
10. LIHEAP Clearinghouse: income eligibility (opens in a new tab), benefit levels (opens in a new tab) and disconnection policies (opens in a new tab)
11. WFAE, March 31, 2026: Disconnections among Duke Energy Carolinas customers doubled in February (opens in a new tab)
12. WITN, December 9, 2025: Applications open tomorrow for Pitt County heating assistance program (opens in a new tab)
13. ACF: First LIHEAP Block Grant Funding Release for FY2027 (opens in a new tab)
14. FTC: Government Grant Scams (opens in a new tab) and FTC: Scammers Pretend To Be Your Utility Company (opens in a new tab)
15. USAspending.gov award search (opens in a new tab) - FY2025 obligations for Assistance Listings 93.568 and 81.042