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ENERGY PROGRAMS EP-300 LOW INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

4 Section 300 Change #2-2026 May 1, 2026 county of residence within one business day to meet federal policy requirements. 2. Duplicate payments to LIEAP households are not permitted. Establish controls to ensure that households do not receive duplicate benefits. 3. Perform an Energy Benefits Search in NC FAST to check for other energy applications for any household members. If the name, address, and social security number for a household member match that of an applicant already in the NCFAST, conduct additional research before approving the application. Evaluate each household member to determine the correct household composition to eliminate the duplication. See Job Aid, Energy – Initial/New LIEAP Application to Case Job. 4. The LIEAP application period ends March 31st of each year. The keying deadline is 20 business days following the application period end date. After such time, LIEAP applications cannot be entered into NC FAST. 5. All LIEAP applications pending after March 31st must be processed within 20 days from the date of the application. NOTE: Applications are not complete unless all questions are answered, and the application is signed by the applicant. Do not key an unsigned/incomplete application into NC FAST B. Explain that the applicant has the right to: 1. Receive assistance if found eligible. 2. Be protected against discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and may appeal such discrimination under Section 504 of the Disability Act. 3. Have any information given to the agency kept in confidence. 4. Appeal, if a. Denied the right to apply for assistance on the same day the applicant or the authorized representative went to the local county agency or b. The application was denied or c. The assistance is incorrect based on the county's interpretation of the State regulations or d. A decision is not made on the application in a timely manner. 5. Withdraw from the assistance program at any time. 6. Reapply if the household is denied and the situation changes. The household must reapply before the application period expires.