REMINDER: LIHEAP APPLICATIONS OPEN TO EVERYONE IN NORTH CAROLINA STARTING TODAY

Quarla Blackwell
7 hours ago
2 min read

KINSTON, NC — January 1, 2026. The wait is over. As of today, LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) is officially open to all eligible households across North Carolina — not just seniors.

This marks the full launch of the 2026 winter assistance season, and families who were denied in December can now reapply.

WHO QUALIFIES NOW

You may qualify if:

You are a North Carolina resident
You meet income eligibility based on household size
You pay for your own heating costs
You are a U.S. citizen, legal resident, or green card holder

You do not need to be over 60 or disabled to apply — those restrictions applied only to the early phase in December.

WHO ALREADY GOT PAID

If your household:

Includes someone age 60+ or a disabled person receiving services
Receives SNAP (Food and Nutrition Services)
Got LIHEAP last winter

You may have already received an automatic payment in November and do not need to reapply.

WHAT LIHEAP COVERS

LIHEAP helps with:

Heating bills
Energy-related home repairs
Weatherization
Emergency energy crises (like broken systems or shutoff warnings)

HOW TO APPLY

You can apply:

Online through epass.nc.gov
In person at your local Department of Social Services (DSS)
By phone — call your county DSS office for help

For Lenoir County residents, visit: Lenoir County DSS

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Have these ready:

Proof of income
ID and Social Security numbers
Heating bill or utility account info
Proof of residency

THE DEADLINE

Applications are accepted until March 31, 2026, or until funds run out. Apply early to avoid delays.

THE BOTTOM LINE

If you were denied in December — it wasn’t you. That phase was only for seniors. Now, LIHEAP is open to everyone who qualifies. Don’t wait. Apply today and get the help your household needs to stay warm this winter.