Utility and electric bill assistance programs in Virginia.
Most utility companies have programs that can help pay electric and energy bills of Virginia families who meet income guidelines. There are also emergency financial assistance programs from the government as well as non-profits that will help low-income families. Options include payment plans, free air conditioners during the summer, grants and more. Find how to get utility bill help in Virginia.
In addition to emergency help to pay a bill to keep their power on, other options such as weatherization and free energy conservation help people save money. The point being there are many resources. Utility companies in Virgina try to help low income families, including seniors or the disabled, either (1) keep their utilities on or (2) reconnect their service. Get information below on where to go for help with utility bills when facing a hardship.
Direct help with bills from utility and energy companies in Virginia
American Electric Power, or AEP in Virginia, offers a financial assistance program to customers known as Neighbor-to-Neighbor. To be eligible for this program customers must supply a utility, heating or gas bill disconnect notice to the Department of Social Services. It is a charitable service which will provide partial funding to pay past due electricity bills or help a low-income family turn their power back on. The assistance program begins in January of each year and continues until funds are exhausted. Call AEP at (800) 956-4237 for details.
Appalachian Power provides utility and electrical service to hundreds of thousands of customers in the region. Struggling families or individuals who need help can receive assistance from government programs such as LIHEAP (known as EA in Virginia) and weatherization, or from other programs like the Dollar Energy Fund. This program will focus on preventing the shut off of power when facing a crisis.
All resources are limited. Appalachian Power focuses it support on senior citizens and the disabled, with additional financial assistance programs, including the Dollar Energy Fund open to anyone who is struggling. Some of the resources are available for all of the AEP states and service territories, such as utility forgiveness or payment plans. More on Appalachian Power Virginia assistance programs.
Atmos Energy provides limited gas bill services in Virgina. There are programs for low-income families includes- Sharing the Warmth. There are also payment arrangements, winter shut off rules and regulations as well as other financial resources. Atmos can help people pay their gas bills in partnerships with a local Virginia community action agency energy assistance program or Salvation Army/charity. Call 888-286-6700.
Columbia Gas of Virginia runs the Heatshare program that is administered by a local Salvation Army branch. Heatshare is an emergency assistance program/fund that was created to help households with paying their energy bills during the wintertime so that a gas or electric service is not disconnected.
In addition to the resource above, several other emergency and low income assistance programs are available to income qualified customers. The energy company will offer budget billing, payment plans, and applications for government aid including free grant money from EAP. More details on financial assistance from Virginia Columbia Gas.
Dominion Energy Virginia offers customers the Fan Care program. This program may be able to provide free fans to people over the age of 60 that have a low income. A free fan, or even small air conditioner, will be given those those meet income guidelines defined by the Area Agencies on Aging. The program is run at the local level by non-profits, charities, and community action agencies.
Emergency financial help is provided by EnergyShare. It combines grant money with payment plans as well as some other forms of utility bill relief. EnergyShare is a wiener heating and summer cooling bill assistance program that is offered each season. It can help pay gas, electricity, propane, and other forms of energy bills. Apply at one of the EnergyShare agencies near you, which can include an office of the utility company or the local Salvation Army. Or dial 866-366-4357 or find more Dominion Power low income programs.
Harrisonburg Electric Commission helps customers in the Co-Op only. There are payment plans, budget billing options and funds from The Energy Share program. It provides assistance to those families and individuals who need help paying their utility costs during the winter or summer. Funds paid out for utilities will be managed primarily by the Salvation Army. As long as funds are available from the program, they will make payments for all qualifying customers and households. Call 540-434-5361
Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative – The program offered to customers is known as Operation Round UP. Basically donations from customers, local businesses and utility donations provide financial assistance to people to help pay their heating bills. People who need financial assistance from the program should contact the Virginia Department of Social Services at 1-804-726-7000 or toll-free 1-800-552-3431 to learn more or to apply for help. Read more assistance from Northern Virginia Electric.
Virginia Natural Gas has several emergency financial relief programs and energy conservation services for low income families, with a focus on the vulnerable (seniors, the elderly, people with young kids or the sick). VNG has partnered with state government certified weatherization agencies and non-profits to provide cost-effective energy efficiency measures for customers. There are also free minoir home repairs, such as to an AC unit or furnace.
 VNG also offers other emergency or long term assistance programs. They include Energy Share (in partnership with the VA Salvation Army), LIHEAP grant money (EA) ,payment plans for people facing a one-time crisis and more. A major focus is on combining emergency funds to pay gas bills with energy conservation and relief for going forward. Funds can help pay gas bills, or prevent a disconnection. Read more on Virgina Natural Gas assistance programs.
Washington Gas helps low-income families keep their electricity on. The company administers the Washington Area Fuel Fund. The financial assistance program provides emergency heating bill assistance and cash payments for low-income households that reside in the Washington D.C. area (including northern Virginia). It will help people that do not qualify for or have exhausted both local and federal government assistance.
Several other payment plans, weatherization services and discounts are offered. Low income customers and individuals faced with a disconnection can receive financial assistance, payment plans, and more. Find a listing of Washington Gas assistance programs.
State and federal government utility bill assistance in Florida
City of Charlottesville Gas Assistance Program may be able to provide emergency grant money to low to moderate income households that are not able to pay their utility and gas bills. GAP is for families that have exhausted both state and federal government assistance programs, such as LIHEAP. Referrals to this particular program are given through a variety of charities and community action groups. Intake is provided by the City of Charlottesville Department of Public Utilities as well as social services, and dial Call social services at 434-970-3400 to apply.
State of Virginia programs include fee waivers. ll participating utility companies for the federal government LIHEAP Fuel and Crisis Assistance programs have agreed to waive charging the State Sales Tax on all fuel, including propane, deliveries to their customers. Qualified households instead will be able to receive the amount that would otherwise be paid to the State of Virginia for sales tax in the total amount of fuel delivered. Call 211 or the United Way referrals for details.
Help with paying utility deposits, or connection costs, is offered in Virginia. A total of four major utility and energy companies that operate in Virginia waive security deposits for LIHEAP eligible customers. The programs are offered in partnership with local VA community action agencies. They include the following utility companies. Call Appalachian Power- 1-800-956-4237, Virginia Natural Gas - 1-866-229-3578, as well as Washington Gas- 703-750-1000.
Low income energy bill assistance and free conservation is available statewide. Cash grants can help pay utilities in Virginia, and the program is known as LIHEAP (EAP) as well as Fuel Assistance. In addition, the second program is weatherization, which is for conservation. While resources are limited, your local county social service office has more information and will accept applications for these state of Virginia utility bill assistance programs. Continue with free weatherization and LIEHAP in Virginia.
Summer cooling bill help from social services and the government includes additional financial help during the summer. The money can be used to pay for air conditioning bills and electric expenses. The goal is to help keep the elderly and vulnerable cool during the hot summer months, Other assistance available can include fans or even gently used AC units. Learn more on cooling bill help in Virginia.
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