The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) for the winter months is available to eligible households beginning in December.
LEAP provides a one-time annual vendor payment to help eligible families pay their heating expenses. Households containing anyone aged 60 or older or a disabled person receiving services can apply for assistance starting December 1, 2023. All lower-income households can apply starting January 1, 2024.
To qualify for the “Low-Income Energy Assistance Program,” households that meet the following criteria may be eligible:
- Include at least one US citizen or non-citizen who meets the eligibility criteria.
- Meet income requirements.
- Be responsible for its heating costs.
To qualify for the “Crisis Intervention Program,” households that meet the following criteria may be eligible:
- Include at least one US citizen or non-citizen who meets the eligibility criteria.
- Meet the income requirements.
- Face an energy-related crisis.
- Have a utility statement that shows how much is owed to alleviate the crisis.
Anyone interested in applying for these Energy Assistance benefits can apply online at epass.nc.gov. If you would like to apply over the phone, have general questions about energy assistance, or need to check the status of your case, please call Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) at (828) 250-6330. If you come to the Buncombe County HHS office to apply, please bring your parking ticket in with you for validation and free parking.
Low Income Energy Assistance applications are accepted until March 31, 2024 or until funds are exhausted. For more information on these important benefits, please visit buncombecounty.org/publicassistance.
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