- link Copy Url
- [  Share on twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Duke Energy Helped Over 189,000 Customers Access More Than $191 Million in Energy Assistance https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1206531?absolute=1&via=3blnews "link to 3 B L Media's Twitter")
- [  Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1206531?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Linkedin")
- [  Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1206531?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Facebook")
- [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Duke Energy Helped Over 189,000 Customers Access More Than $191 Million in Energy Assistance&body=ESG News from Duke Energy Corporation https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1206531?absolute=1 "Share via email")
 
 

 [Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives](/CSR-News/philanthropy-cause-initiatives)

 # Duke Energy Helped Over 189,000 Customers Access More Than $191 Million in Energy Assistance

 


 

 Mar 7, 2023 9:25 AM ET

  Campaign:  [Corporate Social Responsibility](/news/campaign/corporate-social-responsibility-4)  ![Two people seated at a dining table. One has their arm over the other who look s worriedly at a piece of paper. A laptop open and other papers strewn about.](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_2x/public/images/BILLWORRY_DUKEENERGY_022423.jpg) 

- **Over $75 Million Distributed to 77,000 Customers in North Carolina**
- **Collaboration Key to Success in Assisting Customers in Need**

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 7, 2023 /3BL Media/ - As rising prices for many goods and services hit families and businesses across its territory over the last year, Duke Energy helped nearly 190,000 residential customers gain access to nearly $200 million in funds to help pay their energy bills in 2022.

Initiated at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Duke Energy Agency Team collaborates with over 1,500 agencies in helping customers in need with bill payment assistance. This work includes proactive engagement of customers to educate them of their eligibility for dollars available through the [Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program](https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap) (LIHEAP). In 2022, the team helped to distribute more than $191 million to over 189,000 customers in Duke Energy’s service territory. LIHEAP funds the State of North Carolina’s [Crisis Intervention Program](https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services/energy-assistance/low-income-energy-assistance/crisis-intervention-program#:~:text=The%20Crisis%20Intervention%20Program%20(CIP)%20is%20a%20Federally%20funded%20program,heating%20or%20cooling%20related%20crisis.) (CIP) and [Low Income Energy Assistance Program](https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services/energy-assistance/low-income-energy-assistance-lieap) (LIEAP). In North Carolina, the team helped distribute more than $75 million to assist almost 77,000 customers.

Currently, the team is working with partners to send over 50,000 text messages and emails to inform customers in Mecklenburg County, N.C., of their income eligibility for LIEAP assistance.

“It is more important than ever for all parties to work collaboratively to help households in need,” said Lesley Quick, vice president, customer technology, advocacy, regulatory and business support. “Through our proactive outreach to customers, we are reaching those who previously could not access assistance. This partnership with our nonprofit agencies allows us to better assist the customers in the communities we serve.”

“Our partnership with Duke Energy is invaluable, ” said Ginny Harper, community program coordinator with Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services (DSS). “During FY22, our collaboration with Duke Energy’s Agency Team helped allow us to provide over $8.8 million in heating and cooling costs to Mecklenburg County households. The work we’re doing creates a win-win-win by providing needed financial assistance for customers and reinforcing Duke’s commitment while increasing their visibility within Mecklenburg. Lastly, it potentially opens the door for DSS to receive additional funding to assist even more residents of Mecklenburg County. We appreciate Duke Energy’s partnership and the value they provide to our county.”

Eligibility criteria may include age and income restrictions. Interested customers may find more information at [Low-Income Energy Assistance](https://www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/special-assistance/low-income-eap-nc) at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy Agency Team is part of the company’s larger strategy of supporting customers in need, which also includes collaboration with elected officials at the state and federal levels to increase assistance levels and expansion of customer participation in energy efficiency programs and services to mitigate high bills.

To assist customers struggling with energy costs, Duke Energy also offers a robust set of programs including [Budget Billing](https://www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/budget-billing), [Installment Payment Plans](https://www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/special-assistance/payment-arrangements/installment-plans), [Share the Light Fund](https://www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/special-assistance/share-the-light) and [Due Date Extensions](https://www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/special-assistance/payment-arrangements/due-date-extensions).

**Duke Energy Carolinas**

Duke Energy Carolinas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 19,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2.8 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 24,000-square-mile service area in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2023 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list and Forbes’ “World’s Best Employers” list. More information is available at [duke-energy.com](http://www.duke-energy.com/). The [Duke Energy News Center](http://news.duke-energy.com/) contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy’s [illumination](http://illumination.duke-energy.com/) features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/dukeenergy), [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/duke-energy-corporation), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/duke_energy) and [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/dukeenergy).

Contact: Keith Richardson   
24-Hour: 800.559.3853

View original content [here](https://news.duke-energy.com/releases/duke-energy-helped-over-189-000-customers-access-more-than-191-million-in-energy-assistance)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 [![logo](/sites/default/files/Clients/Duke-Energy-Logo-4c.jpg)](/profiles/duke-energy)

 



 

### More from Duke Energy Corporation

###### [Duke Energy Announces Loree Elswick as President of the Duke Energy Foundation](/news/duke-energy-announces-loree-elswick-president-duke-energy-foundation)

 Nov 18, 2025 8:30 AM ET

  



###### [Duke Energy Foundation Gives $100,000 to One SC Fund as Part of Annual Campaign To Help Fight Hunger in South Carolina](/news/duke-energy-foundation-gives-100000-one-sc-fund-part-annual-campaign-help-fight-hunger-south)

 Nov 12, 2025 8:30 AM ET

  



###### [A Home Run Partnership: Duke Energy Foundation, Tampa Bay Rays Donate $82,000 To Help Florida Customers Pay Energy Bills](/news/home-run-partnership-duke-energy-foundation-tampa-bay-rays-donate-82000-help-florida-customers)

 Oct 14, 2025 9:10 AM ET

  



###### [Duke Energy Foundation Awarded Corporate Social Impact Team of the Year by the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals](/news/duke-energy-foundation-awarded-corporate-social-impact-team-year-association-corporate)

 Oct 9, 2025 8:40 AM ET

  



###### [Building Momentum: Duke Energy Partners With Local Economic Development Organizations to Market High-Potential Industrial Sites in Connersville, Westfield](/news/building-momentum-duke-energy-partners-local-economic-development-organizations-market-high)

 Oct 7, 2025 9:15 AM ET

  



###### [Duke Energy Helps Communities Across Ohio and Kentucky Prepare Sites To Bring Local Investment, Jobs](/news/duke-energy-helps-communities-across-ohio-and-kentucky-prepare-sites-bring-local-investment)

 Oct 3, 2025 9:15 AM ET

  



###### [Duke Energy and Its Foundation Surpass $30 Million Over 10 Years To Support Community Resilience, Disaster Relief Efforts](/news/duke-energy-and-its-foundation-surpass-30-million-over-10-years-support-community-resilience)

 Oct 2, 2025 8:55 AM ET

  



###### [Nonprofits on the Frontlines of Helene Recovery Honored with Staff Care Grants](/news/nonprofits-frontlines-helene-recovery-honored-staff-care-grants)

 Sep 30, 2025 9:20 AM ET