Utility and electric bill assistance programs in Virginia.
Virginia residents struggling with utility bills have more options than most realize — and the key is knowing which to try first. There are government programs (EAP and PIPP among others), local charities that may offer limited help and company programs too - all options are listed below. As nearly every utility company in Virginia runs its own emergency fund or offers struggling customers some type of solution. Learn more below about all the potential programs in Virginia that may help a struggling resident keep their utilities on.
The federal LIHEAP Energy Assistance Program (EAP) is usually the starting point for most households: it provides grants for heating and cooling bills and is administered through your local Department of Social Services. Virginia also has a program called PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Plan) that caps monthly electric bills at a percentage of your income for Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power customers — with arrearage forgiveness built in. Both programs are run through the state's social services system, and eligibility for one often unlocks benefits with others, including security deposit waivers from four major utilities.
Beyond government programs, most utility providers provide assistance. EnergyShare (Dominion and Virginia Natural Gas), Neighbor-to-Neighbor (Appalachian Power), HeatShare (Columbia Gas), Sharing the Warmth (Atmos), Operation Round Up (NOVEC), and the Washington Area Fuel Fund (Washington Gas). These are last-resort funds for customers who have exhausted other options or don't qualify for government assistance. All utilities also offer payment plans, budget billing, and in some cases medical hardship protections that can delay disconnection — and those options are available to anyone, regardless of income.
Utility Company Programs
Appalachian Power (AEP Virginia)
Appalachian Power serves hundreds of thousands of customers across Virginia. For customers in financial hardship, the Neighbor-to-Neighbor Program (administered by Dollar Energy Fund) provides one-time grants up to $300 applied directly to your account — you must have made at least $100 in payments in the prior 90 days and have a balance of at least $100. Additional options, other than EAP, for Appalachian Power customers include the following. Customer service can be reached at 1-800-956-4237 or visit https://www.appalachianpower.com/account/bills/pay/assistance/. We also have a page dedicated to programs at Appalachian Power Virginia assistance programs.
- PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Plan): Caps your monthly electric bill at 6% of household income (10% if you heat with electricity) for customers at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. Includes arrearage forgiveness. Administered by your local Department of Social Services — contact DSS in your county to enroll.
- Average Monthly Payment (AMP): Spreads your annual usage cost into equal monthly payments to eliminate seasonal bill spikes.
- Payment extensions and installment arrangements: One-time extensions or multi-month payment plans for customers who need more time. Request early, before a shutoff notice.
Deposit waivers: LIHEAP-eligible customers may qualify for a waived security deposit.
Atmos Energy
Atmos Energy provides natural gas service to parts of Virginia and offers the Sharing the Warmth program — customer and company donations distributed through local energy assistance agencies to help pay gas bills. Eligibility is determined by the local agency. Additional options for Atmos customers include. Call Atmos at 888-286-6700 or apply through your local Department of Social Services or call 211 for EAP.
- Budget Billing: Spreads your gas costs evenly over 12 months to avoid high winter bills.
- Installment plans: Call The company may set up a payment plan for a past-due balance.
City of Charlottesville — Gas Assistance Program (GAP)
For Charlottesville natural gas customers who do not qualify for state fuel assistance or have exhausted their state allotment. Income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level; those already receiving State Fuel Assistance, Rent Relief, or Tax Relief are automatically eligible. Referrals come through community action agencies and social service offices. Call Charlottesville Department of Social Services at 434-970-3400.
Columbia Gas of Virginia
Columbia Gas of Virginia serves natural gas customers across much of the state. The HeatShare Program (administered by Dollar Energy Fund, not the Salvation Army) provides grants (often up to $500) for customers who have exhausted all other sources of assistance and still cannot pay. Additional options for Columbia Gas customers are below. Call them at 1-800-543-8911. Or find details at https://www.columbiagasva.com/bills-and-payments/financial-support/income-eligible-assistance-programs.
- Flexible payment arrangements: This includes a payment plan for a past-due balance. To learn more look at our page of financial assistance from Virginia Columbia Gas.
- Medical protection: If a licensed physician certifies that shutoff would be hazardous to a resident's health, Columbia Gas can delay disconnection by at least 30 days. Ask your doctor to complete the medical condition certification form.
- Budget Billing: Even monthly payments based on estimated annual usage.
- Age and Income Program: Qualifying customers receive free energy-saving supplies for water heating and home heating. Ask when you call.
Dominion Energy Virginia
Dominion Energy is Virginia's largest electric utility and runs EnergyShare, a year-round crisis program available to any customer facing financial hardship — it is not income-based. EnergyShare can help pay heating bills (any fuel type) from October through May and electric cooling bills from June through. Apply through a local nonprofit partner by calling 2-1-1. Additional options for Dominion customers are below. Dominion's customer line is 1-866-366-4357. Or see https://www.dominionenergy.com/virginia/paying-my-bill/billing-options-and-energy-assistance.
- Senior Cool Care (formerly Fan Care): Provides one free window air conditioner to qualifying seniors age 60+ through the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Contact DARS at 1-800-552-3402 or your local Area Agency on Aging.
- EnergyShare Weatherization: Customers who receive EnergyShare bill assistance may also qualify for a free home energy assessment and free energy efficiency upgrades. Ask your EnergyShare agency.
- PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Plan): Caps monthly electric bills at 6–10% of household income for Dominion customers at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. Includes arrearage forgiveness. Apply through your local Department of Social Services.
- Budget Billing: Equal monthly payments to smooth out seasonal swings.
- Extended payment plans: For customers behind on their bill, a 50% down payment allows the remaining balance to be spread over 6 months. Log in online to see if you qualify. Or look here for Dominion Energy assistance programs.
- Deposit waivers: LIHEAP-eligible customers may qualify. Call 1-866-366-4357.
Harrisonburg Electric Commission (HEC)
HEC is a municipal utility serving customers within Harrisonburg city limits. The Energy Share Program collects customer donations to help residents pay heating bills, with funds managed by the Salvation Army. Additional options for HEC customers. Call HEC at 540-434-5361.
- Budget Plan: Divides your estimated annual utility cost into 12 equal monthly payments. Requires 12 months of consecutive service at the address with no more than two late payments. Settlement occurs each March.
- Payment arrangements: Contact HEC directly to discuss your account before a shutoff notice is issued.
Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC)
NOVEC serves Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford, Clarke, and Manassas Park. The Operation Round Up program collects customer-donated cents from rounded-up monthly bills and distributes 100% of those funds through local nonprofits (Salvation Army, ACTS, NOVA Family Service, SERVE) to members who cannot pay their electric bills. Apply through your county's partnered agency, not directly through NOVEC. They also offer budget billing: Stable monthly payments year-round based on estimated usage and payment arrangements. Call 703-335-0500 to discuss your situation before service is interrupted. Look here for information on Virginia community action agency energy assistance programs.
Virginia Natural Gas (VNG)
Virginia Natural Gas serves customers in the Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, and the Hampton Roads/Norfolk region. The EnergyShare Program (funded by VNG employees and customers, administered by the Salvation Army) provides one-time annual grants for income-eligible customers including seniors and veterans. Appointments required — walk-ins not accepted. Call your local Salvation Army. Or read more on Virgina Natural Gas assistance programs.
- South Hampton Roads: 757-543-8100
- Suffolk: 757-539-5201
- Peninsula: 757-838-4875
- Or call the EnergyShare hotline: 757-965-9012
Additional options for VNG customers include payment arrangement plans that spread a past-due balance over time to avoid disconnection. They also offer Budget Payment Plans that spread monthly payments over 12 months. VNG's number is 1-866-229-3578.
Washington Gas
Washington Gas serves Northern Virginia (Arlington, Clarke, Fairfax, Frederick, Loudoun, Prince William, Shenandoah, and Warren County). They also help people in the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, and Winchester). The Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF) — a Washington Gas and Salvation Army partnership — provides emergency heating assistance for all fuel types to households that have exhausted LIHEAP and other government assistance. Applications are accepted January through May 31 at your local Salvation Army office. Additional options for Washington Gas customers are as follows. For questions: 703-750-4406 or [email protected].. Or view the Washington Gas site at https://www.washingtongas.com/get-assistance/energy-assistance.
- Payment plans: Every major utility offers extended payment arrangements. Call Washington Gas before your shutoff date. Find a listing of other Washington Gas assistance programs.
- Weatherization: Washington Gas partners with Community Housing Partners (CHP) Energy Solutions to provide free energy audits and efficiency upgrades for qualifying customers. Ask at 703-750-4406.
- Deposit waivers: LIHEAP-eligible customers may qualify. Washington Gas's general line is 703-750-1000.
Government and Local Programs
LIHEAP — Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (EAP in Virginia) provides grants to help pay heating and cooling bills for income-eligible Virginians — no repayment required. Apply through your local Department of Social Services. Continue with EAP in Virginia.
Weatherization Assistance Program
Free home energy efficiency improvements — insulation, weather sealing, furnace tune-ups, and more — for income-eligible households through your local community action agency. Reduces future bills rather than paying current ones. Apply through your local Department of Social Services or community action agency. Look here for information on Virginia community action agency energy assistance programs.
Virginia State Sales Tax Waiver on Fuel Deliveries
All participating utility vendors in the LIHEAP program waive the Virginia State Sales Tax on fuel deliveries for qualifying households. The tax amount is added to your LIHEAP benefit rather than paid to the state. This applies to all fuel types including propane. No separate application needed — it applies automatically when you receive LIHEAP. Call 211 for details.
Security Deposit Waivers
Four major Virginia utilities waive security deposits for customers who are LIHEAP-eligible, administered through local community action agencies. They include.
- Appalachian Power: 1-800-956-4237
- Virginia Natural Gas: 1-866-229-3578
- Washington Gas: 703-750-1000
- Dominion Energy Virginia: 1-866-366-4357
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