DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — For the past few years, Patricia Murray has relied on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) to help cover some of her energy costs in the winter. She turns 70 years old next week and is on Social Security.
“Let’s just say without LIEAP, I’d have to visit the food pantry more often,” said Murray. “It’s been a huge help.”
The program offers a one-time payment of between three to five hundred dollars for applicants and it’s based on their income and household size.
LIEAP serves more than 126,000 households in North Carolina. Last year in Durham County, the program served 1,781 households.
The money comes from the federal government, but there have been delays in distributing funding across the country.
“Every couple of months, right now we’re getting delays in funding to help people. Last month, it was SNAP, which is a food resource for people who need to eat and feed their children and family members. Now, it’s a utility bill,” said Director of Durham County Social Services Maggie Clapp.
She said the phones have been ringing off the hook from people wondering why they aren’t accepting applications for the program. Her staff doesn’t know what to tell people.
“It’s constant stress for people at a time in this country where we should not be having to beg and fight for these resources,” said Clapp.
As of Dec. 1, 2025, the State of North Carolina has received its notice of funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program from the federal government.
NCDHHS is working with county Departments of Social Services to open up new applications for LIHEAP. While this normally happens on Dec. 1 each year, the application period is slightly delayed due to the delay in receiving federal funding. NCDHHS will release more information as soon as the application process begins.
People who qualify for the auto-renewal are not impacted and their energy provider received the benefit on Dec. 1, 2025, as expected. Households meeting the requirements for the automatic payment were notified through November 2025 and do not need to reapply for LIEAP.
NCDHHS will release more information as soon as the application process begins.
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