Energy assistance available for low-income households

Staff Reports | Cleveland County Gov.

SHELBY – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has received federal funding for the 2026 Low Income Home and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). While the funding was delayed following the federal government shutdown, NCDHHS and county staff have been preparing so they would be ready to open for new Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) applications once federal funds were received. LIEAP and the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) are both supported by LIHEAP block grant funding.

LIEAP is a federally-funded program that provides for a one-time payment directly to a household’s heating vendor to help eligible households pay their heating bills. Residents who are eligible for LIEAP assistance and did not receive an auto-renewal or notice of automated payment can apply for benefits starting on December 10, 2025.

(See eligibility requirements below local sponsors....)

Applicants may apply by calling the Cleveland County Department of Social Services at (980) 484-6000, applying in person, or submitting a paper application downloaded from epass.nc.gov.

Paper applications can be mailed, faxed, or drop off at Cleveland County DSS (200 S Post Rd, Shelby).

LIEAP Eligibility Requirements

A household must:

• Have at least one U.S. citizen or non-citizen who meets the eligibility requirements

• Have income equal to or less than 130% of the federal poverty limit

• Be responsible for their heating cost

Beginning Jan. 2, 2026, all other eligible households who meet the eligibility requirements may begin applying. Applications will be accepted from Jan. 2, 2026, to March 31, 2026, or until funds are exhausted.

For more information, please visit www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases.

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This is a press release.