Board warned of tougher winter as county emergency assistance funding falls

Members of the Buncombe County board heard that three energy-assistance programs will be heavily used this winter: the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP), the crisis intervention program (SIP), and a county-funded emergency-assistance fund. Committee members said LEAP runs December–March and prioritizes elderly and disabled households, while SIP is available year-round as a one-time crisis payment.

"It's a pretty much a one-time payment of up to $600 depending on the need and the eligibility," a committee member said of the crisis intervention program, describing SIP’s limited scope. Committee members also warned that county emergency assistance funding has dropped to about one-quarter (or less) of previous levels, reducing local resources available to meet increased winter demand amid rising heating-oil, natural gas and propane prices.

Committee and staff said they will provide counts of how many households are assisted annually and will monitor demand closely. The board was advised that administrative functions for these programs are county-funded and that emergency-assistance dollars can be reallocated by the county if needed, which reduces guaranteed capacity for energy support.

Board members urged staff to continue outreach to eligible residents and to report back with additional data on household counts and funding projections.