Energy Assistance, Fuel and Utilities

Chesapeake's Energy Assistance Program is comprised of three components: fuel assistance, crisis assistance, and cooling assistance. The Energy Assistance programs assist eligible low income households offset the costs of home energy, particularly those with the lowest income that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy.

The Heating program helps eligible households with the costs of heating their homes. To be eligible for fuel assistance, there are certain income guidelines, resource maximums and living arrangements that must be met. The household must also be responsible for paying the heating bill. Fuel Assistance applications are accepted from the second Tuesday in October through the second Friday in November at the Department of Social Services. Fuel Assistance applications are processed as soon as possible, and applicants should expect notification of their eligibility determination by mid-December.



Cooling Assistance is also available to eligible households.  Applications for Cooling Assistance are accepted at the Department of Social Services from June 15 through August 15 to help eligible households with their cooling needs. To be eligible for any type of Cooling Assistance, fuel eligibility criteria must be met, the household must contain at least one vulnerable person and there must be a cooling need. The following types of assistance are available if eligibility conditions are met: purchase of a portable or installed fan, purchase and installation of an air conditioner, payment of an electric utility security deposit, or payment of the electric bill to operate the cooling equipment.

Crisis Assistance Program is intended to meet a household's emergency heating needs. Assistance needed to purchase or repair heating equipment or a one-time only heating security deposit for the resident's heating source can be provided. Applications for this type of assistance open yearly from November 1st through March 15th.

CommonHelp is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s fast and easy way to apply online for many Virginia social services assistance programs. Through a single online site, you can find out what assistance you might be eligible for and submit one application saving you time and effort.  Visit CommonHelp  or call 1-855-635-4370

For more information about the energy assistance program, please call (757) 382-2000.