Friday, Nov. 13, is the last day Virginia will take applications for this winter’s Fuel Assistance benefit, the main state program that helps low-income households pay for heat. A separate stream of crisis money, for furnaces that quit and heating systems that are unsafe to run, opens on Sunday, Nov. 1, and stays open into March. Under the state’s schedule, the regular heating benefit will not take new applications again until October 2027.
The Virginia Department of Social Services runs both through its Energy Assistance Program, which is open to households with a heating or cooling expense and gross monthly income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
Nov. 13: The Fuel Assistance Window Shuts
Virginia sets its fuel window by formula: it opens on the second Tuesday in October and closes on the second Friday in November. This year, that put the dates at Oct. 13 through Nov. 13, 2026, as listed on Norfolk’s Energy Assistance page and in an Oct. 7 bulletin from Fairfax County.
Fairfax County told residents that some people will be pre-approved for the benefit, while others will need to apply. Households that are unsure which group they fall into can check with their local Department of Social Services before the deadline…