Energy Assistance Programs for Residential Customers

United Way

Dial 211 to speak with a representative from the Virginia United Way Referral Center to learn about organizations in your area that have available assistance. 

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps those in need pay their heating expenses. They provide federally funded assistance to help with managing costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises and weatherization and energy-related minor home repairs. The annual enrollment period for 2020 begins October 13 and runs through November 13.

For additional information, call 800.230.6977, option 9 or visit dss.virginia.gov.

Eligibility:

• 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:
  • For household size of 1, maximum income is $1,383
  • For household size of 2, maximum income is $1,868
  • For household size of 3, maximum income is $2,353
  • For household size of 4, maximum income is $2,839
  • For household size of 5, maximum income is $3,324
  • For household size of 6, maximum income is $3,806
  • For household size of 7, maximum income is $4,295
  • For household size of 8, maximum income is $4,780

The Virginia COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program

The Virginia COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Social Services, is designed to assist low-income households who are not eligible to receive assistance from the existing energy assistance programs because:

• They do not meet the financial criteria OR
• The vulnerable individual (household member who is age 60 or over/disabled/under age 6) criteria

Depending on the availability of funds, the program will provide a one-time payment of $300 to assist eligible households with payment of a heating or cooling expense.

Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. If you have questions about the program, please call the dedicated energy assistance phone line at 1-833-829-2767.

Eligibility:

• Must be resident of Virginia
• Must have heating or cooling expense responsibility
• Must be either a United States citizen or an eligible immigrant
• A household’s monthly gross income must be less than the maximum allowed for the number of people in the home:
  • For household size of 1, maximum income is $2,720
  • For household size of 2, maximum income is $3,558
  • For household size of 3, maximum income is $4,395
  • For household size of 4, maximum income is $5,232
  • For household size of 5, maximum income is $6,069
  • For household size of 6, maximum income is $6,907
  • For each additional member after 6, add $156

Salvation Army EnergyShare

Virginia Natural Gas and its customers donate funding for the EnergyShare program, which is administered by the Salvation Army and offers assistance with energy costs. Call your local Salvation Army to make an appointment. Please, no walk-ins.

• South Hampton Roads: 757.543.8100. 
  Monday - Friday, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m.
• Suffolk: 757.539.5201. 
  Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m.
• On the Peninsula: 757.838.4875. 
  Monday - Friday, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. and 1-2 p.m.

These community-based organizations also may provide help with paying your bill:

• The STOP Organization: 757.858.1360 (South Hampton Roads)
• Hampton Roads Community Action Program:  757.247.6532

Want to contribute to EnergyShare to help a customer in need?
Select $1, $2, $5, $10 or $20 on your monthly bill to add to your payment.

Crisis Assistance

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. 

Steps to Apply

• Complete screening for potential eligibility
• Submit application to your local department of social services. You can also pick up an application at your local office or ask them to mail one to you.

Note from social services: You may need to be interviewed by an eligibility worker, depending on the type of assistance requested.

Contact your county’s department of social services (see below).