The Energy Assistance Program assists low-income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy. The program consists of three components: Fuel Assistance, Crisis Assistance and Cooling Assistance.
The Fuel Assistance component helps eligible households with the costs of heating their homes. To be eligible for fuel assistance, there are certain income guidelines and living arrangements that must be met. The household must also be responsible for paying the heating bill. Fuel Assistances applications are accepted from the second Tuesday in October through the second Friday in November. Fuel Assistance applications are processed as soon as possible, and approved applicants should expect notification of their benefit determination by mid-December.
Crisis Assistance
The Crisis Assistance component is intended to meet a qualifying household's emergency heating needs, when no other resource is available. Crisis Assistance provides a one-time only primary heat security deposit and heating equipment repair/purchase during the period November 1 through March 15 of each winter season. Emergency assistance with purchase of home heating fuel and payment of primary heat utility bills is provided to qualified households from the first workday in January until March 15.
Cooling Assistance
The Cooling Assistance component provides purchase or repair of cooling equipment and/or payment of electricity to operate cooling equipment. To be eligible, a household must contain at least one vulnerable individual who is defined as a person under age 6, age 60 or over, or disabled. In addition, households must reside in Virginia Beach, have a cooling expense responsibility, provide a copy of their current electric utility bill, and may not exceed defined earned and unearned income limits. Cooling Assistance applications are accepted from June 15 through August 15.
Other Community Resource Numbers
Rental Assistance
- The STOP Organization (757) 858-1360
- The Potter's House (757) 428-7727
- Virginia Beach Department of Housing Connection Point (757) 227-5932
Utilities Assistance
- Energy Share/Salvation Army (757) 543-8100 x118
- The STOP Organization (757) 858-1360
- The Potter's House (757) 428-7727
- Human Warmth & Care (757) 727-3331
- Star of the Sea (757) 428-1244
- Catholic Charities (757) 467-7707
- Church of the Holy Family (757) 481-5702
- Holy Spirit Catholic Church (757) 468-3600 x111 (by phone only 9:30-11:30 a.m. No walk in's accepted)
- Church of the Holy Ascension (757) 495-1886
You may also dial 2-1-1 for free information on available community services. when you dial 2-1-1, a trained professional will listen to your situation and suggest sources of help using one of the largest databases of health and human services in Virginia. Non-profit organizations, federal, state and local government agencies are included in the database and you can access services in your community and statewide.
Point of contact within the Department of Human Services:
Susan Abbott
(757) 385-3380
Fax: (757) 437-2560