Residents pointed to other help as Pitt County’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program ends

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - Wednesday morning, the Pitt County Department of Social Services said it has run out of money for its 2025-2026 Low-Income Energy Assistance Program.

This ends new applications and funding for residents seeking help with home heating costs.

The program, commonly known as LIEAP, provides utility assistance to eligible low-income households. The funding runs on a limited pool and is typically exhausted before the end of the season, county officials said.

Senior residents who rely on the program, such as Brenda Tyson, said it can make a noticeable difference in monthly bills.

“I think it’s a great thing that people want to help you out with that, and I mean, some people don’t want to get help with their energy ... but I do. I really do. It helps me with my light bill,” said Tyson.

Director of the Pitt County Council on Aging, Rich Zeck, says rising costs for groceries and gas can force difficult decisions for people on fixed incomes, particularly seniors.

“The utility assistance program is so critical, specifically to our seniors, because many of them are struggling to live on a low income, living in poverty,” Zeck said. “The choices are food, prescription drugs, utilities ... and utilities is one of the things that is the most expendable for them, even though it’s one of the most important things.”

With LIEAP funds now exhausted, Zeck encouraged residents to plan ahead when possible, including building a household budget that can better handle seasonal spikes in utility costs.

“Work on a budget so that those peaks and valleys aren’t there,” he said, acknowledging that budgeting can be difficult on a limited income. “If you could have a budget that keeps you within something that is affordable, that will also help so that the shock of high winter and summer costs won’t hurt you.”

Local leaders pointed residents to other potential sources of help, including churches and their utility provider.

“Heating is a basic human necessity, and we don’t want people to have to make choices on what is a necessity,” Zeck said.

Department of Social Services data show that last year’s LIEAP funding lasted until early February. This year’s funding stretched nearly a month and a half longer, officials said.