Skip to Content
Online Services | Agencies | Governor | Help
Search Virginia.Gov
(Click to return to home page) - image of Virginia Department of Social Services logo Virginia Department of Social Services

Home upward pointing arrow
Benefit Programs upwardly pointing arrow indicating that this is the way to go up a level in the Web site architecture, leading to more general information
About Healthcare Reform & You This is an image of an arrow pointing to the right, indicating that this page has more information related to the subject of the page you are currently displaying
Auxiliary Grants (AG) This is an image of an arrow pointing to the right, indicating that this page has more information related to the subject of the page you are currently displaying
Benefits - Determining Eligibility This is an image of an arrow pointing to the right, indicating that this page has more information related to the subject of the page you are currently displaying
Benefits - Disqualification Hearing This is an image of an arrow pointing to the right, indicating that this page has more information related to the subject of the page you are currently displaying
Benefits - Frequently Asked Questions This is an image of an arrow pointing to the right, indicating that this page has more information related to the subject of the page you are currently displaying
Benefits & Services Appeals This is an image of an arrow pointing to the right, indicating that this page has more information related to the subject of the page you are currently displaying
Benefits - Verification Requirements This is an image of an arrow pointing to the right, indicating that this page has more information related to the subject of the page you are currently displaying
Benefits - Your Responsibilities This is an image of an arrow pointing to the right, indicating that this page has more information related to the subject of the page you are currently displaying
Disaster Assistance This is an image of an arrow pointing to the right, indicating that this page has more information related to the subject of the page you are currently displaying
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) This is an image of an arrow pointing to the right, indicating that this page has more information related to the subject of the page you are currently displaying
Energy Assistance (EA) This is an image of a burgundy arrow pointing to the right, indicating that this is the page you are currently displaying
Food Assistance (SNAP/EBT/TEFAP/WIC) This is an image of an arrow pointing to the right, indicating that this page has more information related to the subject of the page you are currently displaying
General Relief (GR) This is an image of an arrow pointing to the right, indicating that this page has more information related to the subject of the page you are currently displaying
Medical Assistance Programs This is an image of an arrow pointing to the right, indicating that this page has more information related to the subject of the page you are currently displaying
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) This is an image of an arrow pointing to the right, indicating that this page has more information related to the subject of the page you are currently displaying
clear image used for formatting purposes only
clear image used for formatting purposes only
  Energy Assistance (EA)  
clear image used for formatting purposes only image of file cabinet icon representing help opening filesHelp Opening Files image of printer indicating printer friendly versionPrint Version   image of an envelope indicating user can e-mail this page to someoneE-mail Page
 
clear image used for formatting purposes only


image of a red square resembling a bullet 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

image of a square resembling a bullet Learn More

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.

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.

image of a square resembling a bullet Learn More

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.

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

image of a square resembling a bullet Learn More

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.

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

image of a square resembling a bullet Learn More

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 Web site.

image of a red square resembling a bullet Steps to Apply

  1. Determine Eligibility (Webpage)
  2. Fill out Appropriate Application Below:

image of a red square resembling a bullet Manual

image of a red square resembling a bullet Related Links

image of a red square resembling a bullet State Plans

image of a red square resembling a bullet 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


_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
©Commonwealth of Virginia 2006-2011

Virginia Department of Social Services, 801 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219-2901
Contact Us • Mission & Strategic Plan • Web Policy