Natural gas meter with pipe on wall. (Getty Images)
Although the tried and true Old Farmer’s Almanac is calling for warmer temps and less snow this winter season, cold weather is on the way. The state and utilities throughout it are now accepting applications to help pay for residents’ heating bills.
The Virginia Department of Social Services offers the energy assistance program, which includes fuel assistance to offset heating bills from several utilities including Dominion Energy, Appalachian Power Company, Virginia Natural Gas and more.
The department also offers crisis assistance, which can cover equipment upgrade costs as well as heating bills.
Applications for fuel assistance are being accepted until the second Friday in November, the 15th. The application window for crisis assistance equipment upgrades is Nov. 1 through March 15. Virginians can apply for crisis assistance to pay for bills between the “first workday in January through March 15.”
To be eligible for assistance, residents’ income must not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level, which for a family of four is $31,200. To determine eligibility and submit applications, residents can visit the state’s website, CommonHelp, and visit local department of social service offices.
A bill this past session from Del. Phil Hernandez, D-Norfolk, allowed VDSS to expand the application window, since customers in need may not know and ask for it until the middle of the winter season. But, the bill was contingent on additional funding, which hasn’t been provided yet, meaning the application period may actually not be expanded until 2026.
“A lot of people can’t afford to pay all of their bills,” said Dana Wiggins, director of consumer advocacy at the Virginia Poverty Law Center, adding residents should still apply now for the energy assistance program in case they need help. “They’re making really hard choices.”
More directly associated with utilities, Dominion Energy offers the EnergyShare program, historically funded at $13 million by shareholders. Recipients can get $600 in assistance without income restrictions and the application period is Oct. 1 and May 31.
The utility, and Appalachian Power Company, also have a Percentage of Income Payment Plan, which caps monthly electric heating bills to 10% of the monthly income of a customer making less than 150% of the federal poverty level. After 12 consecutive months of on-time payments, any balances are eliminated.
Virginia Natural Gas, which serves customers in the Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula and the Norfolk region, also has an EnergyShare program with the Salvation Army.
“We recognize that colder temperatures lead to increased energy consumption, which can strain household budgets,” said Shannon Pierce, President of Virginia Natural Gas, in a statement. “VNG is dedicated to informing our customers about the resources available to them during the winter heating season.”
Another practice to lower bills is through increasing energy efficiency, the idea of weatherizing, or sealing up and insulating homes, as well upgrading equipment to use less energy, said Chelsea Harnish, executive director of the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council.
LIHEAP funding for weatherization is available through the Department of Housing and Community Development. Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, which provides the power for electric cooperatives, also offers energy assistance to those customers, Harnish said.
“You can give a man a fish or teach a man how to fish,” said Harnish. “The point is, with heating assistance you’re not really solving the problem, whereas if you’re providing weatherization assistance and making their home energy efficient, that will help reduce their energy and they will not continue to rely on assistance.”