RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Social Services is offering assistance to those who need help paying heating bills.
The Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP) assists low-income households in the Commonwealth with Fuel Assistance, Crisis Assistance, Cooling Assistance and Weatherization Assistance.
To be eligible, households must be eligible for heating costs and must have a heating expense and gross monthly income not exceeding 150 percent of the federal poverty level.
Applications are accepted from the second Tuesday in October (October 8) until the second Friday in November (November 8)..
Applicants will receive notification of eligibility in late December. Once approved, payments are submitted in a lump sum to respective utility companies.
For example, if an eligible Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) customer is eligible for $500 in heating assistance, that amount is forwarded directly to the SVEC. The customer will still receive a statement each month, but the monthly amount due will show as paid. This will continue until the $500 is exhausted.