Cooling bill assistance in Fairfax Virginia.
Free fans, small AC units and cooling bill assistance programs are offered by the Fairfax County Department of Family Services as well as other non-profits and government agencies. While there is a formal application process in place, the resources that can be made available provide an effective solution to people having trouble affording their air-conditioning expenses, or paying their electric bills during the summer. Learn more on where to get help in Fairfax County with utility costs.
What does the Cooling Assistance Program (CAP) help pay for?
The Cooling Assistance Program can help qualified low income customers pay their electric bills, including those from Dominion Power. Or if provides a free fan or air conditioner too. This resource is critical during the extreme summer heat, as if someone has their electricity disconnected that can even lead to a medical hardship. Some of the assistance offered during the summer includes:
- Payment of reconnection fees or security deposits for electricity to operate cooling equipment, including air conditioners.
- Funds for electricity and utility bills, with referrals to other utility assistance programs in Virginia.
- The Department of Family Services can pay for attic or whole-house fans, including a ceiling unit.
- Receive assistance for the tune up or maintenance of a heat pump or central air conditioning system.
- The Fairfax Cooling Assistance Program can provide for the purchase and installation of a window unit air conditioner for households without a working unit.
There are various qualifications that need to be met, and they include the following.
- Applicants need to meet monthly income restrictions.
- Applicants also need to live in a household with an adult age 60 or older, Age 5 or younger, or Disabled, as certified by Social Security, Medicaid, or 100% VA disability
Federal government money from LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance) is provided to the Virginia Department of Social Services and their Cooling Assistance Program. This government money from LIHEAP is used to pay the expenses. The social service organization will focus on citizens and low income families who are most at risk and vulnerable. Some applicants of the county may be eligible for more than one type of assistance from the county. So people may be able to receive a free fan and also cash for paying their electric bills during the summer.
The Department of Family Services provides applications. Feel free to call for more information or to apply for help. Call social services at 703-787-3100, with the main office at 11484 Washington Plaza W # 410, Reston, VA 20190
Senior Cool Care Program in Fairfax County VA
There are other ways to stay cool too. The second resource in Fairfax County is the Fan Care Program. For residents aged 60 and over, the Senior Cool Care Program provides free fans or air conditioning units to help people stay cooling during the summer. This is not financial assistance but rather free air conditioners from the government to keep older adults cool.
In order to receive a unit, the applicant needs to have heat-related health problems (even a chronic medical issue), be at minimum 60 years old, and also be low income and meet guidelines. When applying for a fan or air conditioners, all incomes in a household are considered by the county. While only one fan or AC unit will be dispersed per family, only one adult per household needs to qualify.
The Fan Care program via a public-private partnership with Dominion Energy and administered through the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging. Interested individuals should contact the Aging, Disability and Caregiver Resources Line at 703‑324‑7948.
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