Page 18

ENERGY PROGRAMS EP-300 LOW INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

18 Section 300 Change #2-2026 May 1, 2026 When determining the value of a checking or savings account, subtract any outstanding withdrawals and any funds remaining that were counted as income in the LIEAP application. When verifying assets, document in NC FAST. Allow the client ten (10) business days to provide verification of stated resources. Verification of resources should be requested using the form DSS-8185. Ineligible aliens’ assets shall be countable towards the household’s total resources. If the Household’s resources exceed limit, deny the application. COUNTABLE AND NON-COUNTABLE RESOURCE ITEMS Counted Resources include: o Cash on Hand o Countable Portion of Savings Account o Countable Portion of Checking Account o Lump Sum Payments

300.12 BENEFIT DETERMINATION AND METHOD OF PAYMENT A. Benefits are based on the household's size and income at the time of application. The income limit is 130% of the federal poverty level. To determine benefit levels, the income limit is broken down into two categories so that families with the lowest incomes receive the higher benefit. There are three benefit level amounts designated according to household size and income. Households that heat with coal and/or wood will receive a benefit of $300 regardless of household size; however, the income will still need to be at or below the 130% income limit. Benefits are paid directly to energy providers who have an approved energy provider agreement on file with the county. Counties may want to establish additional agreements with the energy providers, such as a promise to pay, purchase order, etc. for households whose primary heat source is kerosene, fuel oil and the like. If a county has a LIEAP balance of $500 or less, approval for an even $200, $300, $400, or $500 may be given. Partial payments such as an amount of $70 or $100 for LIEAP are not allowed. If a household moves and leaves a credit balance with the energy provider, settlement of the credit is between the household and the energy provider. If the energy provider is aware of the household’s new energy provider, the credit balance can be forwarded to the new energy provider. If the energy provider is unable to contact the household to settle a credit balance, the county is responsible for trying to locate the household. If the county is unable to locate the household, the credit balance should be returned to the local county agency. The local county agency would return the funds for current and prior fiscal year in NC FAST, for returns outside of the specified period the county would return the funds to the controller’s office via the DSS-