The Granville County Department of Social Services is offering a couple of assistance programs to help residents who face challenges paying utility bills. The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) and the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) are both available through DSS to provide one-time payments for electric and/or gas heating bills or for water/wastewater utility services.

Some Granville County households may qualify for LIEAP assistance with their heating bill during the winter. Depending on the heat source, eligible households may receive $300, $400, or $500 toward their heating bill through the program. Applications are being taken now through March 31, or until the funds are gone.

To apply for assistance, residents must provide the following information:

• Valid identification
• Social security numbers for everyone in the home
• Proof of income for the month prior to the application
• A heating bill that indicates the account number

If approved, payments will be made directly to the heating provider.

If applying for someone else, applicants should provide a signed permission statement from the person they are representing.

The LIHWAP program helps eligible households and families afford water and wastewater services, providing a one-time payment for eligible low-income households paid directly to the utility company. Applications are being taken now through September 2023 or until the funds run out.

LIHWAP was created in December 2021 after North Carolina was awarded more than $38 million in federal funds to establish a new water assistance program for households affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

To be eligible for LIHWAP, a household must have at least one U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen and:

• have income equal to or less than 150% of the federal poverty level
• have household services that are disconnected, in jeopardy of disconnection or have a current outstanding bill
• be responsible for the water bill

Apply online at https://epass.nc.gov/. Apply by phone at 919.693.1511, or mail, fax or drop off the completed application. The fax number is 919.693.5090. The Granville DSS office is located at 410 W. Spring. St, Oxford, NC 27565.