Virginia's Fuel Assistance Program: How Much Can You Get?

how much does fuel assistance pay in virginia

The Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP) assists low-income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs. The program consists of four components: Fuel Assistance, Crisis Assistance, Cooling Assistance, and Weatherization Assistance. The benefit amount ranges from a minimum of $397 to a maximum of $1,282 for each recipient. People interested in fuel assistance can check their eligibility and apply for the benefit by visiting CommonHelp.virginia.gov, calling the Enterprise Customer Service Center, or submitting an application at a local department of social services.

Characteristics Values
Name of the program Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
Components of the program Fuel Assistance, Crisis Assistance, Cooling Assistance and Weatherization Assistance
Eligibility criteria for Fuel, Crisis or Cooling Assistance Households must have a heating or cooling expense and gross monthly income may not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level
Eligibility criteria for Cooling Assistance The household must include one vulnerable individual age 60 or older, an individual living with a disability, or a child under age six
Application period for Cooling Assistance June 15 through August 15
Benefit range $397 to $1,282 for each recipient
Number of Virginia households that received fuel assistance in fiscal year 2023 113,000
LIHEAP funds assigned to fuel assistance 45%
LIHEAP funding received by Virginia in fiscal year 2023 $93 million
LIHEAP funding received by Virginia in fiscal years 2022 and 2021 $200 million
LIHEAP funding received by Virginia in 2020 $127 million
Percentage of income-eligible population helped by Virginia's fuel assistance program 30%
Agencies providing energy assistance American Electric Power (Appalachian Power), Atmos Energy, Columbia Gas of Virginia, Dominion Virginia Power, Virginia Natural Gas, Washington Gas

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Fuel assistance eligibility

The Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP) assists low-income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs. The program consists of four components: Fuel Assistance, Crisis Assistance, Cooling Assistance, and Weatherization Assistance.

To be eligible for Fuel Assistance, households must meet the following criteria:

  • Have a heating or cooling expense
  • Gross monthly income may not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level
  • Must be a resident of the locality in which the application is made
  • Must meet income requirements

Applications for Fuel Assistance are typically accepted from the second Tuesday in October through the second Friday in November or the next business day if the deadline falls on a holiday. Applications can be submitted online, by phone, in-person, by mail, or by fax.

Crisis Assistance

Crisis Assistance is available for those who have no heat or are facing the disconnection of their heat source. It can also be used to purchase a utility security deposit, a portable space heater, home heating fuel, or to pay for emergency shelter. To qualify for Crisis Assistance, you must have a heating emergency and meet the income and citizenship criteria.

Cooling Assistance

Cooling Assistance helps individuals and families when the weather is too hot by purchasing or repairing an air conditioning unit or helping with electric bills. To qualify, you must have a cooling expense responsibility, meet income requirements, and include a vulnerable individual aged 60 or older, an individual living with a disability, or a child under the age of six.

Weatherization Assistance

For information about Weatherization Assistance, you can visit the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development website or contact local community action agencies and nonprofit housing groups.

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Crisis assistance

The Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP) assists low-income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs. Crisis Assistance is one of the four components of the program, the other three being Fuel Assistance, Cooling Assistance, and Weatherization Assistance. Crisis Assistance is meant for times when there is no heat or the heat is about to be cut off. It could be availed in the case of an unsafe heater as well. Crisis Assistance could pay for a utility security deposit or buy a portable space heater. It could also be used to buy home heating fuel or pay for emergency shelter. It could pay for the main heating bill or fix a heating system.

To be eligible for Crisis Assistance, households must have a heating or cooling expense, and the gross monthly income may not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level. Applications for Crisis Assistance are accepted at the local departments of social services and can be submitted in-person, by mail, or by fax. People interested in availing of the benefit can check their eligibility and/or apply for the benefit by going to CommonHelp.virginia.gov, calling the Enterprise Customer Service Center at 855-635-4370, or submitting an application at a local department of social services.

The benefit ranges from a minimum of $397 to a maximum of $1,282 for each recipient, according to the federal Department of Health and Human Services. In fiscal year 2023, 113,000 Virginia households received fuel assistance through the program. The state assigns 45% of its LIHEAP funds to fuel assistance, meaning about $45 million was available for the fiscal year starting on October 1.

Some utilities in Virginia waive security deposits for LIHEAP-eligible customers. Appalachian Power, Dominion Virginia Power, Virginia Natural Gas, and Washington Gas are some of the utilities that provide such waivers.

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Cooling assistance

The Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP) assists low-income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs. The EAP consists of four components: Fuel Assistance, Crisis Assistance, Cooling Assistance, and Weatherization Assistance.

The Cooling Assistance program helps with cooling utility bills and equipment. It applies to the purchase and installation of air conditioning units (window or central), security deposits, and payment of electric bills to help operate cooling equipment. The benefit amount varies annually.

To be eligible for Cooling Assistance, households must meet the following criteria:

  • Have a cooling expense responsibility
  • Be a resident of the locality in which the application is made
  • Include a vulnerable individual aged 60 or older, an individual living with a disability, or a child under the age of six
  • Have a gross monthly income that does not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level

Applications for Cooling Assistance are accepted from June 15 through August 15. Applications can be submitted online through CommonHelp, by calling the Enterprise Customer Service Center at 855-635-4370 (Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.), or manually by submitting an application in-person, by mail, or by fax to the local department of social services.

It is important to note that EnergyShare® is a year-round energy assistance program available to anyone facing financial hardship, regardless of income. This program can be accessed through Dominion Energy and provides additional support for those in need.

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Weatherization assistance

The Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP) helps low-income households meet their immediate home energy needs. The program consists of four components: Fuel Assistance, Crisis Assistance, Cooling Assistance, and Weatherization Assistance.

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is available year-round. It helps eligible households receive the amount that would be paid to the state for sales tax in the total amount of fuel delivered. Some utilities in Virginia waive security deposits for eligible customers.

To be eligible for Fuel, Crisis, or Cooling Assistance, households must have a heating or cooling expense, and gross monthly income may not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level. Applications for fuel, crisis, and cooling assistance are accepted at the local departments of social services and can be submitted in person, by mail, or by fax. Households can also check their eligibility and/or apply for the benefit online, by phone, or by submitting an application manually.

The benefit amount ranges from a minimum of $397 to a maximum of $1,282 for each recipient, according to the federal Department of Health and Human Services. In fiscal year 2023, about 113,000 Virginia households received fuel assistance through the program.

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LIHEAP services

The Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP) assists low-income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs. The program consists of four components: Fuel Assistance, Crisis Assistance, Cooling Assistance, and Weatherization Assistance.

Fuel Assistance helps cover the costs of home heating. It is important to note that Fuel Assistance will not pay for the entire cost of heating your home, but it can help cover a significant portion of it. To be eligible for Fuel Assistance, households must have a heating or cooling expense, and the gross monthly income may not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level.

Crisis Assistance is for situations where there is no heat or the heat is about to be cut off. It could help pay for a utility security deposit, buy a portable space heater, purchase home heating fuel, cover emergency shelter costs, pay the main heating bill, or fund heating system repairs.

Cooling Assistance helps with the cost of cooling utility bills and equipment, such as air conditioning units. It is available for households that include a vulnerable individual aged 60 or older, an individual living with a disability, or a child under the age of six.

Weatherization Assistance can be obtained by asking local community action agencies and nonprofit housing groups about the program. More information about Weatherization Assistance can be found on the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development website.

The amount of financial assistance provided by the LIHEAP program in Virginia ranges from a minimum of $397 to a maximum of $1,282 for each recipient. In fiscal year 2023, approximately 113,000 Virginia households received fuel assistance through the program.

To apply for LIHEAP services in Virginia, individuals can check their eligibility and submit an application through CommonHelp.virginia.gov, call the Enterprise Customer Service Center at 855-635-4370, or visit their local department of social services. The application window typically opens the second Tuesday in October and runs through the second Friday in November. Notifications of eligibility are typically sent out in December.

Frequently asked questions

Fuel assistance in Virginia ranges from a minimum of $397 to a maximum of $1,282 for each recipient.

The Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP) assists low-income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs. The EAP consists of four components: Fuel Assistance, Crisis Assistance, Cooling Assistance and Weatherization Assistance.

You can check your eligibility and/or apply for fuel assistance by going to CommonHelp.virginia.gov, calling the Enterprise Customer Service Center at 855-635-4370, or submitting an application at a local department of social services.

The application window typically opens the second Tuesday in October and runs through the second Friday in November.

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