Enrollment Opens in Virginia on Oct. 10 for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Chester, VA – With the heating season approaching, Columbia Gas of Virginia encourages customers needing financial assistance with utility bills to apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides one-time cash grants to qualifying applicants for home heating bills or emergency heating repairs. The LIHEAP enrollment period opens on Tuesday, October 10, in Virginia and continues through Monday, November 13.
“There are many households in Virginia that may be facing higher energy bills this winter and could be struggling financially,” said Columbia Gas of Virginia President and Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Montague. “We have a variety of programs that offer financial support for which you may be eligible, and we want to ensure you have the help you need in keeping your family warm during the cold months ahead.”
LIHEAP is a federally-funded program administered through the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) as the Fuel Assistance program. In addition to the one-time cash grants, crisis grants are available to assist income-eligible households without heat or in danger of being without heat.
Customers can apply in multiple ways:
- Online via the Commonwealth of Virginia CommonHelp portal at commonhelp.virginia.gov;
- By calling the VDSS Enterprise Customer Service Center at 1-855-635-4370 Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; or
- Manually by submitting an application to their local department of social services.
The income eligibility for the 2023 program is 150 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines, meaning that an individual with an annual income of up to $21,870 is eligible to apply and a family of four with an annual income of up to $45,000 can apply.
In addition to LIHEAP Fuel Assistance, Columbia Gas offers other assistance programs that feature flexible payment options, budget plans and income-eligible financial support. Customers can find out what programs they may qualify for by using our eligibility calculator at www.columbiagasva.com/eligibility-calculator or by calling 1-800-543-8911 to speak with a Columbia Gas representative. Additional information can be found at our Energy Assistance Resource Center at www.columbiagasva.com/energy-assistance-resource-center.
