This news item expired on Monday, February 3, 2025 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
UPDATE: Applications for the Disaster Energy Assistance program will close on Monday, February 2 at 11:45 p.m.
Were you impacted by Helene and need help with home heating costs? Applications are now open for the Disaster Energy Assistance program providing funds to help with a variety of home heating costs, from electricity bills to insulation replacement costs and more.
Who is eligible?
- Must be an individual or household impacted by Hurricane Helene.
- Must have been Buncombe County residents at the time of application and at the time of the disaster.
- Have an income that meets the 2025 Disaster Gross Income Limit of 60% of State Median Income (SMI):
Disaster Energy Assistance Monthly Gross Income Limits
| No. Eligible in Household |
Maximum Countable Income |
| 1 |
$2,728 |
| 2 |
$3,568 |
| 3 |
$4,407 |
| 4 |
$5,247 |
| 5 |
$6,086 |
| 6 |
$6,926 |
| 7 |
$7,083 |
| 8 |
$7,241 |
| 9 |
$7,398 |
| 10 |
$7,555 |
| 11 |
$7,713 |
| 12 |
$7,870 |
- A household must have a U.S. citizen or a non-citizen with qualified immigration status who lives in North Carolina.
What does the program cover?
- Utility bills, reconnection costs/fees, deposits, and meter repair
- Propane/fuel oil tanks
- Natural gas/propane line repair
- Propane/fuel oil delivery
- Insulation replacement
- Necessary wiring/circuit board replacement to be able to heat home
- Repair or replacement costs for furnaces.
- Coats and blankets, as tangible benefits to keep individuals warm.
- Space heaters/electric heaters.
How to apply
Online: The easiest and most convenient way to apply is online by filling out this form: Disaster Energy Assistance application.
In-person: 40 Coxe Avenue, Asheville, M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (free parking at Sears parking deck)
Phone: 828-250-5500, M-F, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Households can apply for both the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program and the Disaster Energy Assistance funding.
If you were not impacted by Helene but still need energy assistance, you may be eligible for other energy assistance programs to help with your heating-related crisis. Call 828-250-5500 if you have any questions.
For more information on Helene recovery resources, contact the One Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100. The call center is available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
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