Get Help Paying Utility and Electric Bills in West Virginia
West Virginia has more utility bill assistance programs available, which are listed below, than most residents realize. Every gas and electric utility in the state is required by law to offer a 20% discount on winter bills for seniors receiving SNAP, SSI, or WV WORKS — and that's just the starting point. The state's LIEAP program provides heating grants, the Dollar Energy Fund covers gas, electric, and water emergencies, and most utility companies offer their own payment plans and hardship options on top of that. The programs below cover every major utility serving West Virginia residents.
If you're behind on a bill or facing shutoff, the most important thing is to contact your utility before service is interrupted — every company listed here has payment arrangement options, and acting early keeps more options open. The sections below are organized by utility company so you can go straight to what applies to you.
Statewide Government Programs
West Virginia 20% Winter Discount (SRRS)
All gas and electric utilities in West Virginia are required by state law to offer a 20% discount on monthly bills from November through March for eligible customers. To qualify, you must be 60 years of age or older AND currently receive SNAP (Food Stamps), SSI, or WV WORKS. You must be receiving one of those benefits in each of the eligible months to receive the discount for that month. Contact your utility directly to apply — each company administers this for its own customers.
LIEAP — Low Income Energy Assistance Program
West Virginia's LIEAP (the state's name for federal LIHEAP) provides annual cash grants to help low-income households pay heating bills. An Emergency-LIEAP (E-LIEAP) component provides an additional emergency payment for customers who have received a termination notice after qualifying for LIEAP. Eligibility is at or below 60% of State Median Income. Program dates: Heating November 1–September 30; Winter Crisis January 1–August 30; Weatherization year-round. Apply at your local DHHR office, a community action agency, or senior center. Call 1-877-716-1212 or visit https://wvpath.org/. We also have a plain English guide to the program too - see the West Virginia LIEAP program page.
Dollar Energy Fund — West Virginia Utility Assistance Program
The Dollar Energy Fund operates a last-resort emergency grant program for West Virginia residents facing utility shutoff. Grants are applied directly to your account for gas, electric, or water service. Customers must apply for LIEAP and E-LIEAP first, if those programs are open. Available October 1–September 30 each program year, first-come first-served until funds run out. Participating utilities include Mon Power, Potomac Edison, Appalachian Power, Hope Gas, Mountaineer Gas, and West Virginia American Water. Minimum payment requirements apply which (vary by utility). Contact your local Salvation Army or community action agency to apply, or visit https://www.dollarenergy.org/.
WV Emergency Assistance Program
Administered by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), this one-time payment helps eligible customers avoid termination of electric service. You must present a disconnect notice at your county DHHR office. Call 304-558-0684 or use the DHHR agency finder at https://dhhr.wv.gov/pages/field-offices.aspx to locate your local office.
Free Weatherization
Income-qualified households can receive free energy efficiency improvements — insulation, weather-stripping, furnace repairs, window sealing, and more. Administered through community action agencies using federal weatherization funds. Eligibility: at or below 200% of federal poverty level. Contact your local community action agency or call your DHHR office.
How to Look for Help Fast
Utility Company Programs - help provided directly to utility companies
Appalachian Power (AEP)
Appalachian Power serves customers in southern and western West Virginia. Customers facing hardship should call early — representatives will walk you through government programs and Dollar Energy Fund options. Call 1-800-956-4237 or see the site at https://www.appalachianpower.com/account/bills/pay/assistance/.
- Dollar Energy Fund: Appalachian Power customers facing shutoff may apply for a one-time grant through a local community action agency or Salvation Army partner. Must have paid at least $100 in the prior 90 days (seniors 62+ need $75; seniors 65+ need $75). Apply through a local Dollar Energy Fund agency. The WV site is at https://www.dollarenergy.org/program/west-virginia-utility-assistance-program/.
- LIEAP/E-LIEAP: Apply through your local DHHR office or community action agency. Appalachian Power fully supports both programs.
- 20% Winter Discount: Available to eligible customers (age 60+, receiving SNAP/SSI/WV WORKS). Contact Appalachian Power to apply.
- Payment arrangements: Appalachian Power will work with customers to set up installment plans before a shutoff becomes necessary. Call 1-800-956-4237 before your account goes too far past due.
- Average Monthly Payment (AMP): Spreads annual electric costs into equal monthly payments to avoid seasonal spikes.
Hope Gas
Hope Gas is West Virginia's second-largest natural gas utility, serving customers across more than 38 counties including Morgantown, Clarksburg, Fairmont, Parkersburg, and communities that were previously served by Peoples Gas WV, Southern Public Service, Consumers Gas, and others. Customer service: 1-800-688-4673 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.). Emergency line 24/7: 1-800-934-3187. See https://hopegas.com/.
- Dollar Energy Fund: Hope Gas customers facing shutoff may be eligible for a one-time emergency grant applied directly to their account. Must have paid at least $100 in the prior 90 days (seniors 62+ need $75). Apply through a local Dollar Energy Fund agency. Visit dollarenergy.org.
- Hope Gas Low-Income Discount Program: A monthly discount program for residential customers meeting income eligibility. Administered by Dollar Energy Fund. Call 1-800-688-4673 for details.
- LIEAP/E-LIEAP: Apply through your local DHHR office. Hope Gas works with DHHR and community action agencies to administer heating grants.
- 20% Winter Discount: Available to eligible customers (age 60+, receiving SNAP/SSI/WV WORKS). Contact Hope Gas to apply.
- Budget Billing: Spreads estimated annual gas costs into equal monthly payments.
- Payment arrangements: Call 1-800-688-4673 to discuss your account before service is interrupted.
Mon Power (a FirstEnergy company)
Mon Power serves electric customers in 34 West Virginia counties. It is a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., based in Fairmont, WV. Customer service: 1-800-686-0022. Outage line: 1-888-544-4877. Website: https://www.firstenergycorp.com/help/billingpayments/assistance_serviceprogram/mon_power.html.
- Dollar Energy Fund: Mon Power customers facing shutoff may apply for an emergency grant. Must have paid at least $150 in the prior 90 days (seniors 62+ need $100). Apply through a local Dollar Energy Fund agency at dollarenergy.org.
- LIEAP/E-LIEAP: Apply at your local DHHR office or community action agency, or call 1-877-716-1212.
- WV Emergency Assistance Program: One-time DHHR payment to prevent shutoff. Present a disconnect notice at your county DHHR office. Call 304-558-0684.
- 20% Winter Discount: Available to eligible customers (age 60+, receiving SNAP/SSI/WV WORKS). Applications go to: Mon Power, 20% Discount Program, 5001 NASA Blvd., Fairmont, WV 26554. Call 304-558-0684 for more information.
- Average Payment Plan (APP): Equal monthly payments year-round to avoid seasonal spikes. Enroll by calling 1-800-686-0022.
- Payment arrangements: Mon Power can set up installment plans for past-due balances to avoid termination. Call 1-800-686-0022.
- Deferred payment for seniors/disability: Customers age 60+ or on a fixed Social Security or pension check can request that their bill due date be moved until after their monthly benefit check arrives. Call to arrange.
- Medical Certification: A health care professional can certify in writing that termination would be dangerous to a household member's health. Under WV PSC rules, this does not prevent disconnection outright, but a payment agreement paired with the certification will delay termination as long as payments are made.
- Third-Party Notification: Designate a relative, friend, clergy member, or social service agency to be notified alongside you if your service is about to be disconnected.
Mountaineer Gas
Mountaineer Gas is West Virginia's largest natural gas distributor, serving customers in 50 of 55 counties. Headquarters: 501 56th St. SE, Charleston, WV 25304. Customer service: 1-800-834-2070 (Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–6 p.m.). Emergency line available 24/7 at the same number. Website: https://mountaineergasonline.com/residential.html.
- Dollar Energy Fund: Mountaineer Gas customers are eligible for the West Virginia Utility Assistance Program. No minimum prior payment is required for Mountaineer Gas customers. Apply through a local Dollar Energy Fund agency at dollarenergy.org.
- LIEAP/E-LIEAP: Apply through your local DHHR office or community action agency.
- 20% Winter Discount: Available to eligible customers (age 60+, receiving SNAP/SSI/WV WORKS). Contact Mountaineer Gas to apply.
- Payment arrangements: Customers who cannot pay their full bill can call 1-800-834-2070 to discuss installment options before service is interrupted.
Potomac Edison (a FirstEnergy company)
Potomac Edison serves electric customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. A FirstEnergy subsidiary. Customer service: 1-800-686-0022. See the website at https://www.firstenergycorp.com/help/billingpayments/assistance_serviceprogram/low-income-program-availability.html.
- Dollar Energy Fund: Potomac Edison customers facing shutoff may apply for an emergency grant. Must have paid at least $150 in the prior 90 days (seniors 62+ need $100). Apply through a local Dollar Energy Fund agency.
- LIEAP/E-LIEAP: Apply at your local DHHR office or community action agency.
- 20% Winter Discount: Available to eligible customers. Contact Potomac Edison to apply.
- Average Payment Plan (APP): Equal monthly payments to smooth seasonal variation. Call 1-800-686-0022.
- Payment arrangements, Medical Certification, and Third-Party Notification: Same programs as Mon Power above. Call 1-800-686-0022.
Community Discussion
Real West Virginians share tips, local resources, and firsthand experiences with utility assistance programs in our moderated community forum. You may find options specific to your county or situation that aren't listed anywhere else — and you can post your own question to get help from neighbors who've been through it. Visit the West Virginia Utility Assistance Forum. The forum is moderated and free to use.
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