Home Heating Assistance Available for Helene-Impacted Residents
Were you impacted by Helene and need help with home heating costs? Applications are now open via the Buncombe County website for the Disaster Energy Assistance Program. This program provides 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
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: https://www.buncombecounty.org/countycenter/news-detail.aspx?id=21942
In-Person: 40 Coxe Ave, Asheville, M–F, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Phone: 828-250-5500
Eligibility includes income limits, Buncombe County residency during Helene, and a household must have a U.S. citizen or a non-citizen with qualified immigration status.
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 with questions or to learn about other energy assistance programs or visit buncombecounty.org/countycenter/news-detail.aspx?id=21942.
