Percentage of Income Payment Program (PIPP)

PIPP participants pay a set PIPP amount each month instead of the actual bill amount. This set amount helps you manage seasonal ups and downs of your energy bill more easily.

In addition, PIPP customers do not pay a security deposit and are not assessed late fees.

Each month, when your PIPP amount is paid in-full and on-time, a portion of your actual account balance is reduced through incentive credits applied to your account.

• A credit for the difference between the current bill amount and the amount paid as long as the total PIPP amount due is satisfied.
• A 1/12th credit of the past due balance (calculated at enrollment).
• If you make 12 consecutive on-time and in-full payments starting from when you enroll, your entire balance will be cleared.

• Make your monthly PIPP payment on-time and in-full to earn credits to reduce your account balance.
• Seek bill payment assistance if you are unable to pay your PIPP payment on-time and in-full.
• You are required to reverify your income with the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) every 12 months or as your household income changes. If you don't reverify your income, you may be removed from the program.
• Sign in to your online account and enroll in AutoPay to ensure your monthly PIPP payment is automatically paid on-time and in-full. Don't have an online account?
  • Register now and get started.

Different programs work better for different customer situations. PIPP is a billing program designed for customers to pay a set monthly amount based on their income.

If you're considering PIPP, it's important to determine if this program is right for you. Here are a couple of questions to help you decide if PIPP is a good fit:

• What is the primary source for my heat?
  • If I heat with Dominion Energy, I will pay 10% of my monthly income.
  • If I heat with any other source, I will pay 6% of my monthly income.
• Is my monthly bill amount more or less than the amount of my monthly income I would pay?
  • To review your bill amounts for the past 12 months, you can sign in to your online account and check your bill history.
• Do I have a past due balance I can't pay?

• You will not earn that month's Incentive Credits.
• You will owe the missed PIPP payment and your current PIPP payment on your next bill.
• Your service may be subject to disconnection for non-payment.
• If your account closes due to non-payment, your account may be removed from PIPP.
• If you are removed from PIPP, your entire account balance is due. This includes any charges accumulated prior to PIPP enrollment.

If you no longer want to participate in PIPP, you have several ways to request removal. Contacting us would be the fastest way to have PIPP removed from your account.

1. Give us a call at 866-366-4357 to request removal with an agent.
   • You will be responsible for your account balance.
2. Contact your local DSS office and request to be removed from PIPP.
   • PIPP will be removed from your account once Dominion Energy receives the information. You will become responsible for your balance when the request to remove PIPP is received from the VDSS.

Customers who are enrolled in Shared Solar may not be enrolled in PIPP while participating in Shared Solar.

Customers who have applied and been approved eligible for PIPP by the VDSS will be rejected from PIPP enrollment and a letter will be sent advising of the rejection.

If you prefer to continue participating in Shared Solar, no further action needed.

If you prefer to be enrolled in PIPP and no longer wish to participate in Shared Solar, follow these steps:

• Contact your Subscription Management Service (SMS) and request to end the contract. The SMS will provide information on how to end the contract, timing, and any associated fees. Dominion Energy cannot manage or terminate this contract directly.
  • Contact Dominion Energy if you do not know your SMS.
  • Removal from Shared Solar can take up to 90 days.
  • Dominion Energy cannot accept the removal confirmation letter sent by the SMS as notification of removal from Shared Solar.
• Once the SMS notifies Dominion Energy to remove your account from the Shared Solar program, please contact the DSS to re-apply for PIPP.
  • The original PIPP approval cannot be used to enroll the account in PIPP.
• Until the PIPP enrollment is complete, you will be responsible for your bill and any outstanding charges. For payment arrangements or bill payment assistance, visit dominionenergy.com/billhelp or contact us at 866-366-4357.
• Once the PIPP enrollment is confirmed, only the PIPP amount will be due on your current and future bills. A letter will be mailed/emailed to you to confirm the enrollment.

Eligibility Requirements

• Customer must have an active account with Dominion Energy.
• Household income cannot exceed 150% of the Federal Poverty Level. Visit the Virginia Department of Social Services website for income limit information.

How to Apply

PIPP applications and eligibility are managed by the Virginia Department of Social Services year-round. Applications are accepted:

• Option 1: Online by visiting commonhelp.virginia.gov
• Option 2: In-person or by mail or fax through your local Department of Social Services
  • Download the PIPP Application | English Version | En español

Your first PIPP payment is due when your account is enrolled in PIPP. If you are unable to pay at enrollment, the missed PIPP payment will be added to your next bill.

Can a household member apply for PIPP on behalf of the account holder?

Yes, the applicant does not need to be the account holder.

How much PIPP will I pay if my income is $0?

The minimum PIPP amount a customer will pay is $10.

Can I apply for PIPP on my gas account?

No, per legislation PIPP is only for Dominion Energy and APCo customers for the electric bill.

What do I do if my income changes?

Contact your local Department of Social Services or go online to CommonHelp and access your account to update your information.

If I have more than one account, will PIPP apply to all of my accounts?

No, PIPP will only apply to the primary service account.

My utilities are included in my rent. Can I participate in PIPP?

No, the account would not be eligible.

When is my first PIPP payment due?

 The first PIPP payment is due when the account is enrolled for the current bill. The PIPP amount will override the bill amount, disconnect amount or reconnect amount.

What is considered an on-time and in-full PIPP payment?

 A payment for the total PIPP due is posted to your account before the next utility bill is issued.

Can I pre-pay on PIPP?

 No, you must pay your PIPP amount due each month on time and in-full to receive incentive credits.

Can I get a short-term extension while on PIPP? No, you have until your next bill is generated to make your PIPP payment.

If I cannot pay my PIPP amount, may I still apply for bill payment assistance?

Yes, you may apply for any assistance program for help with your PIPP amount due.

What happens if I paid on-time but the payment and credits are not showing on my account?

Contact Dominion Energy to discuss the issue at 866-DOM-HELP (866-366-4357). Please have information about your payment ready.

Are PIPP participants charged any additional fees?

 PIPP participants are not charged deposits or late payment fees. Customers will be assessed reconnect fees, returned items and unauthorized usage charges. These charges will need to be paid before any payments will apply to the PIPP amount due.

Can incentive credits be reversed?

Yes, the incentive credits can be reversed for non-sufficient funds.

Will applying for PIPP stop a disconnection of service?

No, the disconnect will not be stopped due to a pending PIPP application. If the PIPP application is approved by the DSS while the account is in disconnect status, the customer must pay the PIPP amount to stop the disconnect.

Can I be disconnected on PIPP?

Yes, your service may be subject to disconnection for non-payment of your PIPP amount due.

If I am disconnected on PIPP, what amount must I pay to reconnect service?

The past due PIPP amount would need to be paid to reconnect service as long as the account is still active.

What happens if my account closes?

Your account will be removed from PIPP and the entire account balance is due to establish new service.

Can I get weatherization while on PIPP?

Yes, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) can perform a free energy audit for PIPP participants.

Is weatherization required?

No, however customers are encouraged to participate to conserve energy and for comfort in the home.

Are there any restrictions for customers on PIPP?

When enrolled in PIPP, you are not eligible to enroll in other Dominion Energy billing programs such as short and long term payment plans, budget billing, and other billing programs.

What programs offered by Dominion Energy can a PIPP customer participate in?

PIPP participants are encouraged to set up an online account at DominionEnergy.com and select AutoPay to ensure the monthly PIPP payment is made on-time and in-full. PIPP participants may also enroll in the Serious Medical Condition Certification and Products and Services.

My PIPP amount is based on a percentage of my income. What happens to the remaining balance?

If the PIPP amount is paid on-time and in-full, you will earn credits to reduce your account balance. After 12 months of consecutive on-time and in-full PIPP payments from enrollment, your entire balance will be eliminated.

If I move, what will happen to my PIPP?

PIPP will not transfer to the new account. If you wish to continue participating in PIPP after transferring your service, please re-apply via CommonHelp or contact your local Department of Social Services.

What happens to my balance if I do not remain a Dominion Energy customer?

PIPP is for customers with active Dominion Energy service. If you move out of Dominion Energy’s service territory and no longer have active service, you will be responsible for repayment of the remaining account balance.

Can a customer be dropped from PIPP?

Yes, if the account is closed, the customer does not reverify their income after 12 months, or the customer does not comply with PIPP guidelines, PIPP may be removed from the account and the entire account balance will be due.

What happens if I no longer want to be on PIPP?

You may contact Dominion Energy or the Virginia Department of Social Services to have PIPP removed from your account. Once PIPP is removed, you will be responsible for your entire account balance.

How do I file an appeal?

If you do not agree with your PIPP amount, you may have a conference or hearing on your case by doing one of the following within 30 days of the written notice of action taken on your application or case:

• Submit the request at http://www.dss.virginia.gov/appeals/bp.cgi
• Send a written request to the Virginia Department of Social Services, Attention: Hearing and Legal Service Manager, 5600 Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060, or appeals@dss.virginia.gov