Emergency Assistance
The EA office will perform an overall needs assessment of each person as they enter the doorstep of Swain County DSS. The purpose is to see everything that a person might be eligible for that they might not know about. The EA worker will then determine eligibility for agency resources.
Swain County Department of Social Services oversees the distribution of Emergency Assistance funds as they become available to our community. These funds are for families in short-term financial crisis due to unusual circumstances.
Guidelines for Emergency Assistance
- Can pay deposits
- must be currently homeless to qualify for rental deposit
- must be currently living in the home without power in order to qualify for electric deposit
- Can pay occupancy costs
- Can pay past due bills for:
- rent
- electricity (must have final notice)
- gas for cooking or heating water
- water-past due balances
- Income eligibility is based on net income.
- Maximum payment is $300 once a year, within a 30-day time period.
- Example: Applicant applies and receives assistance of $180.00 on Jan. 2nd, client has until Feb. 2nd to use the remaining $120.00.
- Must have a related child in household under age 18
- Must be a Swain County resident with income at or below 110% Federal poverty level.
- If two able-bodied adults live in the home one must be working.
Program Pays For:
- Rent
- Electric Bills
- Deposits
- Fuel Oil
- Kerosene
- Natural Gas
- Propane
- Water
- Wood
- Coal
- Moving in costs
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Program Does Not Pay For:
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Economic Services: Crisis Intervention
The Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) provides assistance to low-income households that are in a heating or cooling related emergency and have an income that is below 150% of poverty level.
An eligible household may receive assistance more than one time during the State Fiscal Year (July through June).
The maximum benefit amount per household during the State fiscal Year is $300. During the years in which North Carolina receives "emergency" CIP money from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, families may receive up to $600 during the State Fiscal Year, with the maximum payment of $300 at any one time.
The program is administered via contract with ABCCM and ELBEN only.
Program Pays For:
- Electric bills
- Deposits
- Fuel Oil
- Kerosene
- Natural Gas
- Propane
- Wood
- Coal
- Heaters
- Furnace Repairs
- Fans
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Program Does Not Pay For:
- Rent
- Mortgage
- Water
- Rx (Prescription Meds)
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Eligibilty Requirements:
A household that applies must:
- Must be a Swain County resident
- Have at least one U.S. Citizen or a noncitizen who meets certain eligibility criteria
- Meet an income test (150% poverty level)
- Be in a heating or cooling related emergency
- Requires final notice for electric and gas 6" oil or less in tank-is based on extreme temperatures
- Project Share Program designated for CP&L customers only
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