Program Overview

The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is a federally funded program that provides a one-time vendor payment to help eligible households pay their heating bills.

Households that include a person aged 60 or older or a person with disabilities receiving services through the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services are eligible to sign up for assistance beginning December 10. All households may apply from January 1 to March 31, or until funds are exhausted.

Energy payments will be made directly to the service provider, which may include power, gas, or oil companies.

People who qualify for the auto-renewal received the benefit on December 1, 2025. Households meeting the requirements for the automatic payment were notified in November 2025 and do not need to reapply for LIEAP.

How to Apply

DSS officials encourage families that need help to apply.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Households must meet income/eligibility requirements and must apply.
• The household must be responsible for its heating expense.
• Applicants must meet citizenship eligibility.

To apply:

• Complete an application online using ePASS at https://epass.nc.gov/.
• Call us at 252-206-4000, select option #8 after the automated recording, then option #3 to request an application by mail.
• Pick up an application at Wilson County DSS, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

All applications should be returned using the following methods:

• By mail to PO Box 459, Wilson, NC 27894.
• By Fax to 252-206-4198.
• You can drop off applications and other documents at Wilson County DSS Monday–Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM, or use the agency’s drop box located to the right of the main entrance.

Households can apply during normal business hours at:

Wilson County Department of Social Services
100 W. Gold St.
Wilson, NC 27894

The Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) is a federally funded program that assists individuals and families who are experiencing a heating or cooling-related crisis. A household is in a crisis if it is currently experiencing or is in danger of experiencing a life-threatening or health-related emergency, and sufficient, timely and appropriate assistance is not available from any other source.

Applications are accepted each year from July 1st to June 30th of the following year, or until the CIP allocation is exhausted, whichever comes first.

How to Apply

DSS officials encourage families that need help to apply. 

Eligibility requirements include:

• Households must meet income/resource eligibility and must apply.
• Applicants must meet citizenship eligibility requirements
• Have an energy-related crisis, and present an itemized final notice or past due utility bill that shows how much is owed to alleviate the crisis

To apply:

• Complete an application online using ePASS at https://epass.nc.gov/.
• Call us at 252-206-4000, select option #8 after the automated recording, then option #1 to request an application by mail.
• Pick up an application at Wilson County DSS, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

All applications should be returned using the following methods:

• By mail to PO Box 459, Wilson, NC 27894.
• By Fax to 252-206-4198.
• You can drop off applications and other documents at Wilson County DSS Monday–Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM or use the agency’s drop box located to the right of the main entrance.

Households can apply during normal business hours at: 

Wilson County Department of Social Services
100 W. Gold St.
Wilson, NC 27894