Help for Citizens | Town of Cary

Help is available for citizens impacted financially by the pandemic. Below you will find information for Cary citizens about various programs for housing, utility bill, and other assistance.

Utility Accounts

While the normal collections process, including late and non-payment fees and disconnections, resumed in May of 2021, the Town of Cary remains committed to working with citizens affected financially during the pandemic. For more information on payment plans and assistance to manage your utility charges, view the options below.

Payment Plans

Wake Energy Assistance Programs

Wake County offers several energy assistance programs to provide seasonal heating, cooling, and utility assistance to households impacted by COVID-19.

For water-specific assistance, the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is a federally-funded program that provides emergency assistance to low-income households to prevent disconnection or provide assistance with reconnection of drinking and wastewater services. Learn more and apply.

Application and more information about income requirements are available at wakegov.com and housewake.com.

Oasis

Town of Cary’s Oasis program provides financial support to households that need help with their utility bills. This program is available to all Town of Cary utility customers in our service area, Cary and Morrisville. The program is administered through a partnership between Cary and Dorcas Ministries. Residents could receive up to $450 per household.

Please note: Due to the impact of COVID-19 on our community, the maximum $200 lifetime assistance limit per household has been suspended.

How to Apply

To help expedite the process, please fill out the online application and follow the instructions. Be prepared to provide the following documentation:

Photo ID
Paystubs, bank statements, or income statements to determine lower-income eligibility
Past due water utility bill

After receiving your application, a counselor will email or call you to follow up.

Rental and Housing Assistance

Multiple organizations in Wake County and the Town of Cary can provide financial assistance or emergency housing to residents who find themselves in a temporary financial crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents can apply for financial support and work with trained staff to determine how the program can best assist on a case-by-case basis with one of these organizations.

Dorcas Ministries Rental Assistance

In partnership with Dorcas Ministries, the Town of Cary provides emergency housing assistance to residents who find themselves in a temporary financial crisis. Residents can apply for financial support on past due rent payments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trained staff interview each applicant to determine how the program can best assist.

How to Apply:

1. Complete the Housing Financial Assistance Application.
2. Email the following information to clientservices@dorcascary.org:

Photo ID
Documentation of all household income for the last 2 months: paystubs, bank statements, or income statements to determine lower-income eligibility
Documentation of your crisis: paystubs that shows you had a decrease in income OR proof that you paid a surprise emergency bill
Your lease and a late letter from your landlord

3. After receiving your complete information, a counselor will email or call you to follow up.

Financial assistance counselors are available by appointment only.

House Wake! Financial Assistance

The House Wake! program offers financial help to renters behind on their rent and/or utility payments. It covers up to 12 months of payments owed and includes water, electricity, trash, sewer, internet, and gas.

To qualify, applicants must:

Be a renter living in Wake County
Have an income that does not exceed 80% of area median income
Have been economically impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic period resulting in the loss of income and inability to pay rent or utility bills.
Be at risk of homelessness if rent or utility bills are unpaid.

In addition, certain eligible households may qualify for additional services, including:

Pro bono legal counsel for landlord negotiations and mediation services.
Relocation assistance for households below 50% of area median income and are at risk of homelessness.

Wake County Network of Care

Resources for Businesses

Businesses whose operations have been affected by the pandemic can apply for relief from these state and county programs.

North Carolina Business Relief Programs

Mental Health Resources

Resilience, or the ability to bounce back from stressful situations, is strengthened by healthy, connected relationships. During the COVID-19 pandemic, that can be its own struggle. Traumatic experiences affect us all in different ways, but we can start to heal from trauma when we work together to care for each other. There are many resources available to help mitigate trauma and build personal resilience. Here are a few in our community.

Wake Network of Care

SAFEchild

InterAct

Wake County Crisis Resources

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline