Energy Programs / CIP and LIEAP

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) APPLICATION
Low Income Energy Assistance Applications are only accepted during certain months.  See Criteria below:

The following is the priority group that can apply for benefits for LIEAP from December 1 through December 31:

  1. Households containing an elderly person age 60 and above, or
  2. Households containing persons with disabilities that receives services through the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS).  Disabled persons are defined as receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Administration (SSA), or Veterans Administration (VA) disability.

Any household can potentially receive benefits from January 1 through March 31 or until funds are exhausted, if all eligibility requirements are met.  If December 1 or January 1 falls on a weekend or holiday, resort to the first working day of the month.  If March 31 falls on a weekend or holiday, resort to the last working day of the month.  

How to Apply for LIEAP:

  • Call DSS at 828-287-1248 and request an application be taken over the phone with a telephonic signature (you may have to leave a message)
  • Complete the online application (see link below, print, and SIGN the application, then Email the SIGNED application to:         Energy@rutherfordcountync.gov
  • Complete the online application (see link below), print, and SIGN the application, then Mail SIGNED application to:  Rutherford County DSS, PO Box 242, Rutherfordton, NC  28160
  • Complete the online application (see link below), print, and SIGN the application, then Fax the SIGNED application to 828-288-3471.
Households meet income eligibility if the total household members' countable income for the base period (month(s) prior to application) is equal to or less than 130% of the current poverty level.

NOTE - LIEAP has a reserve limit of $2,250 or less.

No.
Eligible in
Household
Maximum
Countable
Income
No.
Eligible in
Household
Maximum
Countable
Income
1 1,472 14 8,120
2 1,984 15 8,631
3 2,495 16 9,142
4 3,006 17 9,654
5 3,518 18 10,165
6 4,029 19 10,676
7 4,540 20 11,188
8 5,052 21 11,699
9 5,563 22 12,210
10 6,074 23 12,722
11 6,586 24 13,233
12 7,097 25 13,744
13 7,608 26  14,256

LIEAP Application

Complete and submit an online application via E-pass by clicking www.epass.nc.gov  and follow the prompts.

 



INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) APPLICATION

Applications are taken July 1 of each year thru June 30 of the following year or until funds are exhausted. 

The Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) assists individuals and families who are experiencing a heating or cooling related crisis.  A household is in a crisis if it is currently experiencing or is in danger of experiencing a life-threatening or health-related emergency and sufficient, timely, and appropriate assistance is not available from any other source.  Life-threatening is defined as a household which has no heating or cooling source, or has a disconnect, final, or past due notice for their primary heating or cooling service and the health or well-being of a household member would be in danger if the heating or cooling crisis was not alleviated.  Each household should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if there is a heating or cooling crisis.

How to Apply for CIP:

  • Call DSS at 828-287-1248 and request an application be taken over the phone with a telephonic signature (you may have to leave a message).
  • Complete the online application (see link below), print, and SIGN the application, then Email the SIGNED application to:  Energy@rutherfordcountync.gov
  • Complete the online application (see link below), print, and SIGN the application, then Mail the SIGNED application to:  Rutherford County DSS, PO Box 242, Rutherfordton, NC  28160
  • Complete the online application (see link below), print, and SIGN the application, then Fax the SIGNED application to 828-288-3471.
The household meets income eligibility if the total household’s members’ countable income is equal to or less than 150% of the current poverty.  See chart below.

No.
Eligible In
Household  
Maximum
Countable 
No.
Eligible in
Household 
Maximum
Countable
Income 
 1  $1,699  14  $9,369
 2  $2,289  15  $9,959
 3  $2,879  16  $10,549
 4  $3,469  17  $11,139
 5  $4,059  18  $11,729
 6  $4,649  19  $12,319
 7  $5,239  20  $12,909
 8  $5,829  21  $13,499
 9  $6,419  22  $14,089
 10  $7,009  23  $14,679
 11  $7,599  24  $15,269
 12  $8,189  25  $15,859
 13  $8,799  26  $16,449

CIP Application


Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Information



For more information contact Tammy Carter at 828-287-6268