About Energy Assistance

The EA Program assists low-income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy. It is comprised of four components:

Fuel Assistance — Helps with the cost of heating

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The purpose of Fuel Assistance is to help eligible households with the cost of home heating. It is designed to help offset this expense rather than to pay all of it. This program can also help with furnace re-starts, late charges, delivery charges, installation charges, and connection or re-connection fees.

To be eligible for Fuel Assistance, there are certain income guidelines and living arrangements that must be met. The household must be responsible for paying the heating bill. Local departments of social services accept applications from the second Tuesday in October through the second Friday in November. Applications should expect notification of their eligibility determination by mid-December.

• Energy Assistance Program Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Energy Assistance Program Information Sheet (PDF)
• Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

If you suspect Fraud or Abuse of any kind, report it to your Local Department of Social Services or call 1-800-552-3431.

Crisis Assistance — Helps when Fuels assistance and other resources don't meet the need.

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Crisis Assistance is intended for emergency situations. It helps eligible households when Fuel Assistance or other resources cannot meet the need. Some examples of emergencies include: lack of heat, utility cut-off is imminent, and inoperable or unsafe heating equipment. Types of Crisis Assistance may include: payment of utility security deposit; purchase of portable space heater; purchase of primary home heating fuel; payment for emergency shelter; payment of primary heat utility bill; repair of heating equipment; replacement of heating equipment; and/or provision of supplemental heating equipment/maintenance.

To be eligible for Crisis Assistance, there must be a heating emergency and certain income and citizenship criteria must be met. Applications for equipment-related assistance, security deposits and emergency shelter are accepted from Nov. 1 through March 15 at local departments of social services. Assistance for the purchase of heating fuel and utility bills for primary residences are available from the first workday In January through March 15.

• Energy Assistance Program Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Energy Assistance Program Information Sheet (PDF)
• Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

If you suspect Fraud or Abuse of any kind, report it to your Local Department of Social Services or call 1-800-552-3431.

Cooling Assistance — Helps with cooling emergencies resulting from extreme heat

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The purpose of cooling assistance is to prevent or help with cooling emergencies resulting from extreme heat. Applications are accepted at the local department of social services from June 15 through Aug. 15.

To be eligible for any type of Cooling Assistance, certain income and citizenship criteria must be met. In addition, the household must contain at least one vulnerable person (aged 60 or over, child under six or a disabled individual) and there must be a cooling need. The following types of assistance are available if the eligibility conditions are met and the assistance will ensure cooling: purchase or replace and install an air conditioner; repair a central air conditioning unit or heat pump; payment of an electric utility security deposit; payment of the electric bill to operate the cooling equipment.

All program components are operated through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program block grant. The fuel component has been in existence since 1979 and serves approximately 140,000 households each year, while the crisis component serves approximately 25,000 households. During the Summer of 2009, the cooling component served approximately 70,000 households.

• Energy Assistance Program Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Energy Assistance Program Information Sheet (PDF)
• Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

If you suspect Fraud or Abuse of any kind, report it to your Local Department of Social Services or call 1-800-552-3431.

Weatherization Assistance — Assists with energy efficiency and air infiltration

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The Virginia General Assembly appropriated 15 percent of Virginia's LIHEAP grant for this program. VDSS is responsible for receipt and distribution of the grant.

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) administers this program. The program assists households with energy efficiency and air infiltration measures. To be eligible for any type of Weatherization Assistance, certain income and citizenship criteria must be met and the household must contain at least one vulnerable person.

To apply for Weatherization assistance, visit the DHCD website.

Screening for Eligibility & Applying

• Option 1: Screen for eligibility and/or apply online through CommonHelp
• Option 2: Bypass eligibility screening and submit an application manually. Fill out the appropriate application below and return it to your local department of social services:
  • Cooling Assistance (Spanish) (PDF)
  • Cooling Assistance Application (PDF)
  • Crisis Assistance (PDF)
  • Energy Assistance Program Information Sheet (PDF)
  • Fuel Assistance (PDF)

• Manual (PDF)

Related Links

• Benefits - Appeals (Web page)
• Benefits - Disqualification Hearing (Web page)
• Civil Rights Policy & Procedures (Web page)
• EA Reports (Web page)

State Plans

• FFY 2013 Program Integrity Assessment Supplement (PDF)
• FFY 2013 Abbreviated State Plan (PDF)
• FFY 2012 Program Integrity Assessment Supplement (PDF)
• FFY 2012 Abbreviated State Plan (PDF)
• FFY 2011 Detailed State Plan (PDF)
• FFY 2010 Abbreviated State Plan (PDF)
• FFY 2009 Abbreviated State Plan (PDF)

Legal Basis

• Federal Legal Base - Social Security Act-Title IV-A
• Federal Regulations Base - 45 CFR Parts 260-265
• State Legal Base - Code of Virginia, Sections 63.1-86.1, 63.1-105 through 63.1-133.1, 63.133.41 through 63.1-133.55