Crisis Assistance

Crisis Intervention Program (CIP)

CIP is a program that provides emergency assistance to households that apply and are in heating or cooling related crisis. The following applies:

1. The household must have at least one U.S. Citizen or eligible alien and have a monthly income at or below 115% of the current poverty level.
2. CIP provides for a maximum benefit of $300.00 per household during the state fiscal year (July-June). (Exception: If the federal government appropriates funds for the summer based on excessive heat, the client may receive an additional $300.00).
3. Funds can pay for fuel as well as electricity.

General Assistance (GA)

General Assistance (GA) is a program that provides funds to individuals for prescription medicines. The following conditions apply:

1. Individuals must be evaluated for Medicaid and found to NOT be eligible prior to authorization of GA funds.
2. The reason for the medication must be life-threatening in order to be eligible under this program.
3. There is a six (6) prescription limit per family per year.

Emergency Assistance (EA)

Citizenship Eligibility:

To be eligible for AFDC-EA, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible alien who is a burnout victim with a referral from the American Red Cross or have an active Child Protective Services case at DSS. An alien is ineligible if he or she is:

1. Illegal
2. An alien is ineligible for a period of 5 years from the date he or she becomes a lawful temporary resident unless he or she:
1. Receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
2. Is a legal Cuban or Haitian entrant.

Energy Neighbor

Duke Progress Energy – Energy Neighbor is a program that provides emergency assistance to a household for heating or cooling related crisis. The funds come from Progress Energy customers, employees, and corporate donations. The following applies:

1. Only persons who get their power bill from Progress Energy can receive these funds and the funds cannot be used for deposit.
2. Recipients must have income at or below 150% of the current poverty level.
3. The maximum amount per year is $600.00; however, a recipient can only receive up to $300.00 for each crisis.

• The heating season is November through May.
• The cooling season is June through October. (A household can only receive a fan/air conditioner if they have any funds left in the total $600 per year during this time period.

Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)

The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is a federally-funded program that provides for a one-time vendor payment to help eligible households pay their heating bills. Only households containing an elderly person age 60 and above or a disabled persons receiving services through the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) are eligible to potentially receive benefits from December 1st through December 31st or until funds are exhausted.

Any household can potentially receive benefits from January 1st through March 31st or until funds are exhausted.

A household that applies must:

• Have at least one U.S. citizen or non-citizen who meets the eligibility criteria
• Meet income requirements
• Have reserves at or below $2,250
• Be responsible for its heating bills

Energy Assistance is important to all that receive it, but more so if someone in your home may especially be at risk for a life-threatening illness or death if their home is too cold in the winter.