Snow Hits Western North Carolina as Low-Income Energy Programs Remain Paused

Snow fell across higher-elevation areas of western North Carolina early Monday morning, with temperatures dropping below freezing, according to the National Weather Service. At the same time, several state programs that assist low-income households with heating and energy-efficiency upgrades remained paused.

Effective Nov. 7, 2025, the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP), and the Heating and Air Repair and Replacement Program (HARRP) were temporarily suspended. The North Carolina Governor’s office and state agencies cited “federal budget uncertainty” as the reason for halting services due to the federal government shutdown. Josh Stein, the NC Democrat governor in his first term, has the power to authorize state funds with an executive order. So far, he has not done so.

The programs provide direct assistance with heating bills, home weatherization, and heating system repairs. Local county Departments of Social Services and community action agencies manage applications and distribute services.

• LIEAP is administered by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), Division of Social Services.

• WAP and HARRP are administered by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

  
  

While the Stein administration points to unresolved federal funding as the cause, state financial records show that North Carolina holds reserve funds and prior-year allocations that could have supported at least partial program operations. Critics say the decision to pause services highlights a gap in state-level accountability.

Residents were advised to contact local DSS offices for LIEAP applications or explore DEQ’s Energy Saver North Carolina program. Eligibility generally included households with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level, with priority for the elderly, disabled, and high-energy-burden households.

Weatherization and heating-repair programs help prevent energy emergencies, reduce utility costs, and protect health. According to the latest available data, in 2021, WAP provided weatherization services for more than 1,100 homes and repaired or replaced over 900 heating and cooling systems.

State and local agencies had not announced alternative funding to maintain services during the federal funding gap. The pause has drawn criticism from advocacy groups and local service providers, who say state leaders bear responsibility for ensuring vulnerable residents are not left without heat as winter weather arrives.

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