Utility Bill Assistance - Help for Heating, Cooling and Water

LIEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program)

LIEAP starts December 10th, 2025 for households with person's age 60 and older or disabled as determined by the Social Security Administration or are receiving services from the NC Department of Aging and Adult Services.  All other households can apply on January 1 - March 31 if funding is available.  LIEAP cannot assist with past due bills or disconnections. 

Crisis (CIP) applicants: Limited funding is available.
TANF applicants: No funding available for housing assistance at this time.
Wake County Emergency Assistance (WCEA): No funding available at this time.

Extreme heat or cold during the winter and summer months can cause energy costs to increase and result in high energy bills that can impact a family's budget. Water bills can also cause unexpected expenses on family finances. There are some Wake County programs that may be able to offer help for these expenses.

NOTE: Applications cannot be processed until a formal interview with a Case Manager has been completed. Please include a valid phone number and email to allow the Case Manager to contact you. If you apply by phone, please expect an additional phone call from the Case Manager assigned to process your application.

Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) applicants: If you were approved for LIEAP more than 45 days ago and your payment has not posted to your account, you can fax your approval letter to the vendor to help prevent disconnection until your payment has posted.

WCEA (Wake County Emergency Assistance Program for Energy Assistance): Wake County Emergency Assistance Program (WCEA) is a program within the Energy Assistance Program to assist customers with Electricity, Natural Gas and water crisis, specifically when the agency no longer has funding.

WCEA (Programa de Asistencia de Emergencia del Condado de Wake para Asistencia de Energía): El Programa de Asistencia de Emergencia del Condado de Wake (WCEA) es una programa dentro del Programa de Asistencia de Energía para asistir a clientes con crisis de electricidad, gas natural y agua, específicamente cuando la agencia ya no tiene fondos.
 

 

Additional Information

To receive additional information or to submit completed applications: 

Online Application: ePASS 
Fax: 919-212-7085
Email: SS.Energy@wake.gov
Mail: WCHHS – ENERGY Program 
P.O. Box 46833 
Raleigh, NC 27620-6833 

Or Find a Health & Human Services locations to find a location near you to drop off an application. 

For more information about the Energy Program:

Call: 919-212-0476 or  919-212-7000

Browse for types of assistance

Cooling - Emergency/Crisis Cooling Assistance (CIP)

  • Generally available May through September (depending on funding and temperatures).
  • This program helps with past due accounts, disconnected accounts or for establishing new services.
  • Eligible applicants must meet income requirements and be experiencing or in danger of experiencing a cooling-related emergency (life-threatening or health related emergency).

Applications

Cooling - Cool for Wake

  • Free fans for vulnerable residents who are affected by extreme summer temperatures
  • Eligible households include those where a child, senior, or disabled person is living without air conditioning
  • Made possible by community donors and grants
  • Cool for Wake

Heating - Emergency/Crisis Heating assistance (CIP)

  • Generally available in October through April (depending on funding and temperatures).
  • Helps with primary heating sources like electric, natural gas, LP gas, kerosene and wood.
  • This program helps with past due accounts, disconnected accounts or for establishing new services.
  • To be eligible – must meet income requirements and be experiencing or in danger of experiencing a heating-related emergency (life-threatening or health related emergency).
  • Residents can apply online through the state at epass.nc.gov. 

Applications

Heating - Seasonal Heating - (Low Income Energy Assistance Program/LIEAP)

  • Available December – March, or until funds are exhausted.
  • Early application period begins in December for individuals aged 60 or older or a person with a disability and receiving services from NC Division of Adult and Aging Services.
  • Regular application period January – March is open to anyone meeting the income guidelines.
  • Helps with primary heating sources like electric, natural gas, LP gas, kerosene and wood
  • Does not require a past due bill and can help create a credit balance.
  • To be eligible – must meet income guidelines.
  • Residents can apply online through the state at epass.nc.gov. 

Applications

Heating - Warmth for Wake

  • Provides fuel to low-income residents during the coldest winter months
  • Firewood and space heaters
  • Relies on volunteers and donations
  • Warmth for Wake

Water - Limited Funding Availability

  • Limited funding may be available from the City of Raleigh’s Utility Assistance Program (UCAP). Funding is based on which town (Raleigh, Garner, Knightdale, Wendell, Zebulon, Rolesville or Wake Forest) the applicant resides in.
  • Limited funding specifically available for families with children under the age of 18 in the home through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or WorkFirst (TANF-EA).

 

UCAP

Utility Assistance Application (English)Utility Assistance Application (Spanish)

Utility Assistance Application (Printable

Rent and Utilities – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Emergency Assistance (TANF-EA)

  • Effective 9/22/2025 TANF utility assistance is only available when other agency utility funding sources are exhausted.  
  • Limited funding available year-round, depending on funding availability
  • Must have a relative child in the home age 17 or younger (special rules apply if child is 18)
  • Must be working a minimum of 30 hours per week or receiving unearned income
  • Max benefit amount is $500 per fiscal year
  • Must have a late notice for rent or a past due notice for utilities

 

Applications

TANF
TANF funding is available.

Work First Emergency Assistance Application (English)Work First Emergency Assistance Application (Spanish)

Additional Resources

  • Weatherization: Do you struggle to pay heating or cooling bills each month? Does it seem as if your home is hard to heat and cool? Do you notice drafts around doors and windows?

    If so, your home may need weatherization to make it more energy-efficient. If you meet income guidelines, you may be eligible for a federally-funded program that can provide FREE assistance.

    Resources for Seniors administers the Weatherization program for Wake County or call 919-713-1570 for more information.

Download printable versions of our applications

Income Guidelines – all programs
Online Application – ePASS
Energy Assistance Application (CIP/LIEAP)  
Spanish Energy Assistance Application (CIP/LIEAP) 
Water – Utility Assistance City of Raleigh

Need to sign an ADOBE FORM?  Here are the instructions.