Virginia Natural Gas shares financial assistance programs for winter heating bills

Bill payment assistance programs are available to help manage higher seasonal energy bills

Virginia Beach, VA. – October 7, 2024 - Virginia Natural Gas (VNG) is committed to empowering its customers with the support they need during the winter heating season. As temperatures drop and energy consumption rises, VNG is providing easy access to a variety of bill payment assistance programs and resources designed to help income-eligible customers manage higher seasonal energy costs.

Virginia Natural Gas has a longstanding tradition of supporting its community through bill payment assistance and efficiency programs. By offering practical solutions and valuable information, VNG aims to ensure that all customers can effectively manage their energy bills and maintain a warm, comfortable home.

"We recognize that colder temperatures lead to increased energy consumption, which can strain household budgets," said Shannon Pierce, President of Virginia Natural Gas. "VNG is dedicated to informing our customers about the resources available to them during the winter heating season."

Bill payment assistance programs:

If you’re facing financial challenges and need bill-pay assistance, you don’t have to face this challenge alone. VNG can connect you to a variety of energy assistance programs and resources that may be able to assist you in your time of need:

• LIHEAP Enrollment: The Low Income Home Bill Payment Assistance Program is open for enrollment from Oct. 8 - Nov. 8, 2024. LIHEAP aids individuals in paying heating expenses, and applications can be submitted through local Social Services. The federal- and state-funded bill payment assistance program helps income-eligible families, including senior citizens and persons with disabilities, meet their energy needs during the winter heating season. All benefits are based on the availability of funds and are available on a first-come, first-served basis for those meeting certain eligibility requirements. Eligibility is based on several factors, including household size and income up to 150% of the federal poverty level. VNG encourages customers in need to call 800.230.6977, option 9 or visit the Virginia Department of Social Services website at https://dss.virginia.gov.
• Virginia Natural Gas EnergyShare Program: Administered by the Salvation Army, EnergyShare is a year-long bill payment assistance program that VNG supports through voluntary contributions from our employees and customers. It extends support to income-eligible households, including supplemental grants for seniors and veterans. Interested customers should call their local Salvation Army to make an appointment.
• Crisis Assistance: Crisis assistance is intended for emergency situations only and will help eligible households when fuel assistance and other resources do not meet their needs. VNG encourages customers in need to contact the Virginia Department of Social Services or their county’s department of social services for more information.
• 211 Virginia: This service connects individuals or families to important community resources like emergency shelter, food, clothing or financial assistance. Customers seeking to do so can connect by dialing 2-1-1 or visiting http://www.211virginia.org.

Budgeting for higher seasonal energy bills:

• Budget Plan: This program helps avoid unpredictable bills by evening out seasonal highs and lows. Customers can spread their energy costs over the year, making budgeting easier. Accounts must be current to take advantage of the Budget Plan.
• Deferred Payment Arrangement Plan: For those needing to catch up on past-due balances, customers should inquire now about getting on a deferred payment arrangement plan to help avoid service disconnection.

In addition to these bill payment assistance programs, Virginia Natural Gas offers free tools and resources to improve home energy efficiency through our Energy Efficiency Program, which can help customers save energy and money. Customers are encouraged to take our online home energy audit and request a free energy-saving kit to be mailed to them. Our energy-savings kits come with easy-to-install items that can help make a difference in a home’s energy consumption. To get started, customers can visit https://www.virginianaturalgas.com/residential/ways-to-save.html

For more information on Virginia Natural Gas's Energy Assistance Programs, visit our website at https://www.virginianaturalgas.com/residential/billing-and-payment-options/bill-payment-assistance-programs.html.

About Virginia Natural Gas
Virginia Natural Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies under Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Serving over 310,000 customers in southeast Virginia, Virginia Natural Gas was again named a Top Workplace in 2024. The company has earned recognition for its safety, reliability and customer focus among natural gas service providers, consistently ranking in the top quartile for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates. For more information, visit virginianaturalgas.com and connect with the company on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Southern Company Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America’s premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.2 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states and approximately 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com.

Media Contact:
Morgan Chase
Office: 757-616-7510  | Cell: 757-725-6916
mchase@southernco.com | www.virginianaturalgas.com/company/press-room