Over 11,000 Mecklenburg County residents received some much-needed warmth this past winter, but not from the sun. Instead, through the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP), the Department of Community Resources stepped in, distributing over $4.2 million in funds to keep the heat on between December 1 and March 31.
Marquette Kilpatrick, social services manager, said in a statement obtained by Mecklenburg County News, “This was a record year for our LIEAP program. We know many residents faced higher energy bills this season and our team worked hard to make sure as many eligible applicants as possible were able to receive assistance.”
Assistance came in the form of one-time payments of $300, $400, or $500, sent directly to the utility companies of those facing the tough choice between heat and other essentials. Out of over 17,000 applicants—a 21% increase over the last season—11,226 residents were approved. Each had to navigate through an array of criteria aimed at targeting the most needy…