A program of the Virginia Department of Social Services intending to meet a household’s emergency heating need, when no other resource is available.

Application Period: January 2–March 15

Benefit Amount: Varies annually

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a resident of the locality in which application is made
• Must have heating expense responsibility
• Must meet income requirements
• There must be a heating emergency, such as:
  • Lack of heat
  • Imminent utility cut-off
  • Inoperable or unsafe heating equipment
  • Visit the Virginia Department of Social Services for any additional requirements

How to Apply

• Option 1 Online: Screen for eligibility and/or apply online through CommonHelp
• Option 2 Phone: Call the Enterprise Customer Service Center at 1-855-635-4370 (Monday–Friday 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
• Option 3 In Person: Submit an application manually. Fill out the application and return it to your local department of social services:
  • English State Crisis Assistance application
  • Spanish State Crisis Assistance application

EnergyShare is our year-round energy assistance program of last resort and is available to anyone who faces financial hardship, regardless of income.

Application Period

• October 1 – May 31

Benefit Amount

• $600 maximum

Eligibility Requirements

• No income restrictions
• Must demonstrate a crisis
• Must have heating expense responsibility
• Must be a resident of the locality in which application is made

• Application is through one of our partnering agencies. Download a list of EnergyShare Agencies.

2-1-1 Virginia

This free service can refer you to additional available utility assistance programs in your locality, from non-profits to houses of faith.

• All referrals are free and confidential
• 2-1-1 Virginia is available 24/7, by phone (dial 2-1-1) or by visiting 211virginia.org
• Trained professionals can refer you to resources for many needs:
  • Utility and rental assistance programs
  • Food banks
  • Shelters
  • Physical and mental health resources
  • Child care and elder care
  • And much more
• 2-1-1 Virginia does not provide financial assistance or take applications for any programs, but provides referrals to available programs in your area.

Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS)

VDSS' programs are designed to help Virginia's most vulnerable citizens find solutions to life's many challenges.

The Department administers a variety of programs, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Adoption, Child Care Assistance, Refugee Resettlement Services, and Child and Adult Protective Services.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Crisis Assistance Programs

Families dealing with job loss or other impacts from COVID-19, have access to two types of cash assistance:

• Diversionary Assistance (for families not currently receiving ongoing TANF assistance)

• One-time assistance to pay for emergency needs (food, basic needs, housing and utility expenses, medical expenses, transportation, etc.)
• There must be a loss of income, reduction of income, or delay in receiving income.
• The family must include a dependent child and meet income and other requirements.

• TANF-Emergency Assistance (for families currently receiving on-going TANF assistance)

• One-time assistance of up to $1,500 for families that have experienced a fire or natural disaster (COVID-19 is considered a disaster)
• The family must include a dependent child and meet income and other requirements

How to Apply

• Option 1 Online: Screen for eligibility and/or apply online through CommonHelp
• Option 2 In Person: Fill out the application for benefits and return it to your local department of social services.

COVID-19 Virginia Resources website

Created by the Virginia Department of Social Services, this app and website provides resources to Virginians in need.

Find information for:

• Bill assistance for mortgages, rent, child support, and more
• Assistance with food needs
• Child care and help paying for child care
• How to find health insurance
• And much more

Virginia Housing has launched the Virginia Mortgage Relief Program (VMRP) to assist homeowners experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19, to help prevent and/or ease mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures and displacement.

Application Period:

• The program is currently accepting applications.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants who need help with mortgage payments may be eligible if there is a pandemic-related financial hardship and need help with a specific housing expense.

• Financial hardship can be due to job loss/business closure, reduction in hours or pay, difficulty obtaining new employment, death of a spouse or co-borrower, or increased expenses due to the pandemic.
• Increased expenses could be due to health care, the need to care for a family member, increased childcare costs due to school closures, or increased costs associated with quarantine.
• Visit the Virginia Mortgage Relief webpage for more information.

How to Apply:

• Visit the Virginia Mortgage Relief webpage for application information.

LIHWAP provides assistance to low-income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes, that pay a high proportion of household income for drinking water and wastewater services.

Application Period

• The program is still being established. More information will be updated once the program is fully up and running.

Stay Home Virginia

• More information about resources for renters and homeowners.

Homelessness and Housing Crisis Resources

• If you are experiencing homelessness or other housing crisis, resources are available. Please contact your local crisis assistance hotline.

COVID-19 Broadband Resources

• Information about what the federal government and Virginia’s ISPs are doing in response to the crisis.