Energy Assistance
NEED HELP WITH HEATING OR COOLING?
See if you might be eligible at https://commonhelp.virginia.gov/access/.
Applications for help with your heating and cooling bills or equipment needs are accepted online (at https://commonhelp.virginia.gov/access/), by calling the Enterprise Customer Service Center at 1-855-635–4370, and at your local department of social services.
Fuel assistance helps with home heating costs; but can also be used for furnace re-starts, late charges, delivery charges, installation charges, and connection or re-connection fees. Applications are accepted online, through the Enterprise Customer Service Center, and at local departments of social services from the second Tuesday in October through the second Friday in November. Benefits are determined and authorizations for deliveries or service are sent to vendors in December.
Crisis assistance is intended to meet a household’s emergency heating need, when no other resource is available.
-
Applications are accepted online, through the Enterprise Customer Service Center, and at local departments of social services from November 1 through March 15 for the following: one time only heat security deposit and/or heating equipment repair/purchase. Assistance is based on the availability of funds.
-
Applications are accepted online, through the Enterprise Customer Service Center, and at local departments of social services from the first workday in January through March 15 for the purchase of home heating fuel and the payment of heat utility bill. Assistance is based on the availability of funds.
Cooling assistance provides purchase or repair of cooling equipment and/or payment for electricity to operate cooling equipment. To be eligible, a household must contain at least one vulnerable individual who is age 60 or over, is living with a disability, or is under age 6. Applications are accepted online, through the Enterprise Customer Service Center, and at local departments of social services from June 15 through August 15 (2021 Cooling will end August 16 due to the 15th being on a weekend). Assistance is based on the availability of funds.
Eligibility criteria for assistance include:
-
Must be resident of the locality in which application is made
-
Must have a heating or cooling expense responsibility
-
Monthly gross income may not exceed:
Household Maximum
Size Income
1 $1,882
2 $2,555
3 $3,227
4 $3,900
5 $4,572
6 $5,245
7 $5,917
8 $6,590
9 $7,262
10 $7,935
11 $8, 607
12 $9,280
13 $9,952
14 $10,625
15 $11,297
16 $11,970
17 $12,642
18 $13,315
19 $13,987
20 $14,660
If you suspect Fraud or Abuse of any kind, report it to your Local Department of Social Services or call 1-800-552-3431.
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) administers the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). The WAP reduces household energy use through the installation of cost-effective energy savings measures, which also improve resident health and safety. Common measures including sealing air leaks, adding insulation, and repairing heating and cooling systems. DHCD works with a network of nonprofit organizations around the state, who directly implement the program. More information is available at https://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/wx
For more information about Energy Assistance please contact:
Sierra MacReynolds - Self Sufficiency Specialist
276-773-2452 ext 234 Phone
276-296-9883 Cell