LUMBEE NEWS

Lumbee Tribe Department of Energy is accepting LIEAP applications

The Lumbee Tribe Department of Energy is accepting applications for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program now through Friday, November 13, 2009 at the main office in Pembroke.
According to the Tribal Manual of the U.S. Department of Health and Human services, the funds the tribe receives for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) must be spent by the tribe only to assist eligible households to meet the costs of home energy. Households that apply and qualify under poverty guidelines will be issued a one-time payment in February.
The Tribal Manual states that LIHEAP funds may not be used, for example, to pay for fuel to heat a school, a community center or a household of someone who is not eligible to receive assistance. The purpose is to provide heating and/or cooling assistance to those households with the lowest income and highest home energy needs.
Household income must be at or below 110 percent of the poverty level. The Tribal Manual also cites that eligibility can be limited to give priority to households with “the highest home energy costs or needs in relation to household income.”
When applying for assistance the Department of Energy requires the following information:  proof of identification, proof of American Indian identity of applicant or member within household, head of household’s social security card, proof of income and proof that the applicant is directly responsible for household energy bills. For more information about the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina’s Department of Energy please contact, Patrick Strickland at 910.522.5477.

CONTACT:
Kendra Danielle Chavis, Public Information Specialist
Office: 910.522.2202