Fuel Assistance
- Fuel Assistance can cover part of the costs of home heating. It will not pay for all of the cost to heat your home.
- If you meet income and household guidelines, you may qualify.
- To apply, go to your local department of social services. You can apply from the second Tuesday in October through the second Friday in November. You should hear back by late December.
For information about Fuel Assistance, visit the Virginia Department of Social Services website.
Crisis Assistance
- Sometimes people need help with their fuel bills right away. This is called Crisis Assistance. It is for times when there is no heat, or the heat is about to be cut off. If a family uses an unsafe heater, that is a crisis, too.
- Crisis Assistance could pay for a utility security deposit or buy a portable space heater. It could buy home heating fuel or pay for emergency shelter. Crisis Assistance could pay for the main heating bill or fix a heating system. There are many ways to use this type of help.
To qualify you must have a heating emergency. You must also meet income and citizenship criteria.
To apply go to your local Department of Social Services. These are the times to ask for Crisis Assistance:
- November 1 through March 15 for equipment-related assistance, security deposits, and emergency shelter
- First workday in January through March 15 for heating fuel and utility bills for primary residences
For more information about Crisis Assistance visit the Virginia Department of Social Services website.
Cooling Assistance
When it is very hot out, people can suffer from the heat. Cooling Assistance helps people and families when it gets too hot. It can buy a new air conditioner or fix an old one. Or, it could help you with your electric bill.
To qualify, you must have a need. It is especially for seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children. You must also meet income and citizenship criteria.
To apply go to your local Department of Social Services. You can ask for Cooling Assistance from June 15 through August 15.
For more information about Cooling Assistance, visit the Virginia Department of Social Services website or contact your Area Agency on Aging.
Weatherization Assistance
Weatherization Assistance reduces the heating and cooling costs for low-income households. It is especially for seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children.
The program makes homes safer and more affordable. It also saves energy by:
- Closing air leaks
- Fixing leaky ducts
- Fixing unsafe heating units
- Setting up carbon monoxide detectors, and
- Putting in smoke detectors
Ask local community action agencies and nonprofit housing groups about this program. For more information about Weatherization Assistance, visit the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.