Rajan Wilcox
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 varies annually and eligibility depends on income and household guidelines. Fuel Assistance can cover part of the costs of home heating and the benefit ranges from a minimum of $397 to a maximum of $1,282 for each recipient.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Program Name | Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP) |
| Components | Fuel Assistance, Crisis Assistance, Cooling Assistance, Weatherization Assistance |
| Eligibility | Households with a heating or cooling expense and gross monthly income not exceeding 150% of the federal poverty level |
| Application Period | Second Tuesday in October to second Friday in November |
| Notification of Eligibility | Late December |
| Benefit Amount | Minimum of $397 to a maximum of $1,282 for each recipient |
| Additional Benefits | Waiver of state sales tax on fuel deliveries, waiver of security deposits, purchase and installation of air conditioning units |
| Contact | Virginia Department of Social Services, Enterprise Customer Service Center (855-635-4370), Local Department of Social Services |
| Website | commonhelp.virginia.gov |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility requirements
The state of Virginia offers its residents assistance with fuel and energy costs through the federally funded, state-administered Low-Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The benefit amount varies annually, and eligibility requirements include:
- Residency in the locality in which the application is made.
- Responsibility for heating or cooling costs.
- Meeting income requirements, which range from $1,822 for a one-person household to $13,992 for a household of 20.
- For the Percentage of Income Payment Program (PIPP), household income cannot exceed 150% of the Federal Poverty Level.
- The household must include a vulnerable individual aged 60 or older, an individual living with a disability, or a child under the age of six.
To apply for fuel assistance, individuals can check their eligibility and submit an application through CommonHelp.Virginia.gov, call the Enterprise Customer Service Center at 855-635-4370, or submit an application at a local department of social services.
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How to apply
The Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP) assists low-income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs. The benefit amount ranges from a minimum of $397 to a maximum of $1,282 for each recipient. The program consists of four components: Fuel Assistance, Crisis Assistance, Cooling Assistance and Weatherization Assistance.
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 (USPS), by fax, or online. The application window typically opens on the second Tuesday in October and runs through the second Friday in November, or the next business day when the deadline falls on a holiday.
You can check your 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.
For Cooling Assistance, applications are accepted from June 15 through August 15.
If you are unable to pay your PIPP payment on time and in full, you can seek bill payment assistance. Once your PIPP enrollment is confirmed, only the PIPP amount will be due on your current and future bills.
EnergyShare is a year-round energy assistance program available to anyone facing financial hardship, regardless of income.
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Benefit amounts
The benefit amount for fuel assistance in Virginia varies annually. In fiscal year 2023, the benefit ranged from a minimum of $397 to a maximum of $1,282 for each recipient, according to the federal Department of Health and Human Services. The benefit amount is determined by the agency that sends the program's funds to the states.
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, 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.
The EAP Fuel Assistance component helps offset heating bill costs for qualified applicants who have a monthly income below a certain amount. The amount of assistance provided depends on the total amount of fuel delivered, as all participating vendors for the LIHEAP Fuel and Crisis Assistance components agree to waive charging the state sales tax. Eligible households receive the amount that would be paid to the state for sales tax in the total amount of fuel delivered.
The Crisis Assistance component provides support when there is a lack of heat or an imminent utility cut-off. It can help with utility security deposits, the purchase of portable space heaters, home heating fuel, emergency shelter, or the main heating bill. It also covers the repair of heating systems.
The Cooling Assistance component helps with the purchase and installation of air conditioning units and the payment of electric bills to operate cooling equipment. This assistance is especially targeted at seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children who meet the income and citizenship criteria.
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Energy assistance programs
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.
Fuel Assistance
Fuel Assistance helps cover part of the costs of home heating. 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. The application window typically opens the second Tuesday in October and runs through the second Friday in November. People interested in fuel assistance can check their eligibility and/or apply for the benefit online, by phone, or by submitting an application at a local department of social services.
Crisis Assistance
Crisis Assistance is for times when there is no heat or the heat is about to be cut off. It could pay for a utility security deposit, buy a portable space heater, purchase heating fuel, pay for emergency shelter, pay the main heating bill, or fix a heating system.
Cooling Assistance
Cooling Assistance helps buy or repair air conditioning units and pay electric bills. To qualify, you must meet income and citizenship criteria, and there must be a vulnerable individual in the household (a senior, a person with a disability, or a child under six). Applications are accepted from June 15 through August 15.
Weatherization Assistance
Weatherization Assistance helps low-income households improve the energy efficiency of their homes, reducing their energy costs. This may include installing insulation, sealing ducts, or repairing old heating and cooling equipment.
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Energy assistance providers
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. Households must have a heating or cooling expense, and gross monthly income may not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level to be eligible for Fuel, Crisis, or Cooling Assistance.
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. The Virginia Department of Social Services offers a year-round energy assistance program called EnergyShare®, which is available to anyone facing financial hardship, regardless of income.
Dominion Energy also provides energy assistance in Virginia. They offer the Percentage of Income Payment Program (PIPP) to help income-challenged customers manage their electric bills. PIPP customers do not pay a security deposit and are not assessed late fees. Each month, when the PIPP amount is paid in full and on time, a portion of the account balance is reduced through incentive credits.
The Virginia Utility Assistance Program, or Dollar Energy Fund, is another option for energy assistance. This program partners with a network of Community-Based Organizations throughout the state to provide application intake services for clients. The WinterShare Program and HeatShare Program are two initiatives under the Dollar Energy Fund that provide grants to customers facing service termination.
The amount of fuel assistance provided by the state of Virginia 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.
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Frequently asked questions
You can apply for fuel assistance in Virginia by checking your eligibility and submitting an application at 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.
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.
Households with a monthly income below a certain amount and gross monthly income may not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level are eligible for fuel assistance in Virginia.
Yes, there are additional resources such as EnergyShare, a year-round energy assistance program available to anyone facing financial hardship, and other local community action agencies and nonprofit housing groups that offer assistance.
