Utility Bill Assistance - Help for Heating, Cooling and Water

Crisis (CIP) applicants: Funds are unavailable until further notice for the CIP program.

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 NEW Program for Energy Assistance): Wake County Emergency Assistance Program (WCEA) is a new program within the Energy Assistance Program to assist customers with Electricity, Natural Gas and water crisis, specifically when the agency no longer has funding.
Due to limited funding, please call 919-212-0476 or email Hs.energy@wake.gov​​​​​​ to apply.

WCEA ( Nuevo 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 un nuevo 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.
Debido a los fondos limitados, llame al 919-212-0476 o envíe un correo electrónico a Hs.energy@wake.gov para presentar una solicitud.

Additional Information

To receive additional information or to submit completed applications: 

Online Application: ePASS
Fax: 919-212-7085
Email: Hs.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

Need to apply for Energy Assistance?

Now you can schedule an appointment to complete both your application and interview virtually using Microsoft Teams from your smart phone or tablet or computer.   This is a link that will be emailed to you when you schedule.   You don’t have to download any software; you are able to access the link through the web.  

If you schedule an appointment you do not need to fill out or submit an application by another method (ePass application or email/mail application etc.)   Your application and interview will be completed during the scheduled appointment. 

Please use CRISIS option only if you currently do NOT have any heating or cooling – already disconnected or need new service – or you have a scheduled disconnection within 2 days. 

Please use regular appointment if you have a past due notice or a disconnection date 3 days or further.

Schedule an Appointment

¿Necesita solicitar Asistencia de Energía?

Ahora puede programar una cita para completar su solicitud y entrevista virtualmente usando Microsoft Teams desde su teléfono inteligente, tableta o computadora. Este es un enlace que se le enviará por correo electrónico cuando programe. No tienes que descargar ningún programa; puede acceder al enlace a través de la web.

Si programa una cita, no necesita completar o enviar una solicitud por otro método (solicitud de ePass o solicitud de correo electrónico/correo, etc.). Su solicitud y entrevista se completarán durante la cita programada.

Use la opción CRISIS solo si actualmente NO tiene calefacción o aire acondicionado, ya está desconectado o necesita un nuevo servicio, o si tiene una desconexión programada dentro de 2 días.

Use una cita regular si tiene un aviso vencido o una fecha de desconexión de 3 días o más.

Puede Programar Una Cita

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, Fuquay Varina, Garner 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).

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

  • 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 $400 per fiscal year
  • Must have a late notice for rent or a past due notice for utilities

 

Applications

TANF

Work First Emergency Assistance Application (English) 

Work First Emergency Assistance Application (Spanish)

UCAP

Utility Assistance Application (English) 

Utility Assistance Application (Spanish)

Utility Assistance Application (Printable)

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
Water/Utilities – Temporary Assistance (TANF-EA)

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