The North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) has added information regarding two key assistance programs for low-income households: the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) and the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). LIHWAP offers emergency aid for high water and wastewater costs, while LIEAP provides a one-time vendor payment for heating bills. These additions aim to inform consumers about available resources for essential utility services.

While this update is informational and does not impose new regulatory requirements on regulated entities, compliance officers should be aware that these programs exist. Consumers seeking assistance will be directed to external state agency websites (NC Department of Health and Human Services) for application details. No immediate action is required from utility providers based on this notice, but awareness of these programs can be beneficial for customer service interactions.