Energy Assistance Program

• Administered by the Department of Social Services, Virginia's Energy Assistance Program is a three-tier energy program intended to help needy homeowners. Eligibility for each program depends upon total household income and need. For 2010, monthly incomes could not exceed $2,389 for a family of four. Each program has its own additional eligibility requirements. Virginia residents must apply through their local Department of Social Services office and provide proof of income or responsibility for paying the energy bills and proof of residency in the county or municipality where they apply for assistance. The three different components of the Energy Assistance Program are fuel assistance, cooling assistance and crisis assistance.
  
  

Fuel Assistance

• Fuel assistance is available to residents who bear the responsibility for paying the heating costs in their households. Virginia accepts applications for fuel assistance from the second Tuesday of October through the second Friday of November. Residents may use the funds for late charges, heating bills, installation or reconnection and connection charges.
  
  

Cooling Assistance

• Residents may obtain assistance to pay for necessary heating and air conditioning repairs or electricity bills. Eligibility is limited to households with a disabled individual, children under 6 years of age, and people age 60 or older who are vulnerable to hot weather. Residents may apply for cooling assistance from June 15 through Aug. 15. Funds are distributed as they are available.
  
  

Crisis Assistance

• Households suffering from an emergency heating crisis may apply for crisis assistance. The residents in crisis may receive assistance only if they have no other assistance available. The local Social Services office accepts crisis applications from Nov. 1 through March 15 for help to pay for a single security deposit to obtain heat service, a temporary space heater and heating repair or purchase costs for heating equipment and appliances. From the first workday in January through March 15, applications are received for crisis assistance that helps with the purchase of fuel to heat homes and pay utility bills. The agency distributes funds until they are depleted.
  
  

Weatherization Program

• The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development manages the weatherization program, which helps needy residents reduce overall energy bills by weatherproofing and insulating their homes. The department uses government grants from the U.S. Department of Energy and funds from the Department of Social Services' Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to subsidize the weatherization services. Repair and weatherization services include installation of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, repair of leaky ductwork, insulation and weather-stripping. Virginia maintains a list of contacts for providers of the repair services for needy residents. Eligibility is based upon income and need.
  
  

EnergyShare Program

• EnergyShare is a program offered and operated by Dominion Power. The utility's website describes EnergyShare as "Dominion's fuel assistance program of last resort for anyone who faces financial hardships from unemployment or family crisis." In Virginia, the program provides a one-time subsidy to residents who are unable to pay for their heating or cooling costs. EnergyShare is funded by
  
  donations, and funds are distributed through a network of nonprofit health and human service agencies.