Page 3

ENERGY PROGRAMS EP-300 LOW INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

3 Section 300 Change #2-2026 May 1, 2026 applicant’s signature and date. The worker’s signature is not required. NC FAST provides a transaction history of the case actions based on the North Carolina Identity Management (NCID) of the user for all applications. This is considered the worker’s electronic signature. C. A valid social security number is required, when available, for each household member. Applicants not currently active in Food and Nutrition Services, Work First Family Assistance (WFFA), or Medicaid must sign the NC FAST-20009, North Carolina Rights and Responsibilities for Public Assistance, when Income and Eligibility Verifications System (IEVS) matches are performed prior to the applicant’s signing of the DSS-8178, Energy Programs Application or the signature page from the application in NC FAST. D. Explain the applicant’s rights and responsibilities. E. Inform all applicants, either verbally or in writing, that unless the requested information is received within the requested deadline on the DSS-8185, the application will be denied on the 20th day from the application date. F. Inform all applicants that approval is based on availability of funds at the time of application disposition. G. LIEAP applicants must be provided with the opportunity to register to vote. H. If the provided utility bill is not in the applicant’s name, or another adult household member’s name, the applicant needs to provide a written statement from the person whose name the bill is in verifying the applicant is responsible for payment of the heating expense. In the event the person is unreachable, accept the applicant’s statement. NOTE: LIEAP funds cannot pay bills in a deceased person’s name or in the name of a minor child. In such cases, the applicant should be encouraged to transfer the utility bill into the applicant’s name as soon as possible. 300.03 APPLICATION LOG Counties must log all individuals requesting to apply for LIEAP. Counties may use NC FAST or another logging method, as long as a record is kept and maintained on site. 300.04 APPLICATION PROCEDURES The date of application is the date the signed application is received in the agency. A. General Information 1. The applicant or the authorized representative must apply for LIEAP in the county in which the household resides, and the applicant must be a resident of North Carolina. Applications received by mail, email, fax, dropped off, or in person and through ePASS in the incorrect county of residence must be transferred by the receiving county to the correct