Virginia continues to offer emergency heating assistance

Virginians still have time to apply for crisis heating assistance.

Applications for crisis assistance from the Virginia Department of Social Services’ Energy Assistance Program are currently being accepted through Monday, March 16.

Crisis assistance is designed to help households overcome energy emergencies that cannot be met by other resources. An energy emergency is determined when a household has no heat or is in imminent danger of being without heat. The following examples would constitute an energy emergency:

• Lack of heat.

• Cut-off of primary heat utility is imminent.

• Inoperable or unsafe heating equipment.

Families and individuals can apply through https://commonhelp.virginia.gov, by calling the Enterprise Customer Service Center at 855/635-4370, or through their local departments of social services. Crisis assistance varies and may include: Payment of security deposit for primary heat utility; purchase of primary home heating fuel; payment of primary heat utility bill; repair of heating equipment; replacement of heating equipment; and/or provision of supplemental heating equipment/maintenance.

To qualify for crisis assistance, the maximum gross monthly income for a one-person household cannot exceed $1,354. For a household of four, the maximum gross monthly income is $2,790.

Last year, more than 16,000 households received assistance.

For more information, visit http://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/ea/index.cgi.