Virginia Energy Assistance Cooling Program

Cooling assistance provides purchase or repair of cooling equipment and/or payment for electricity to operate cooling equipment. To be eligible, a household must contain at least one vulnerable individual who is age 60 or over, is living with a disability, or is under age 6. Applications are accepted online, through the Enterprise Customer Service Center, and at local departments of social services during the summer months. Assistance is based on the availability of funds. Apply for this and other benefits online at CommonHelp or call 1.855.635.4370. For more information, call 703.746.5700. See information sheet for additional details.

Dominion Energy Programs 

• Virtual Energy Audits
  Find out how you could improve your home's energy efficiency by completing a Virtual Energy Audit. You'll also receive an energy savings kit at no cost. To learn more visit domsavings.com/home-program/virtual-audit-quiz [domsavings.com].
• Energy Usage Alerts
  Sign up for free Energy Alerts and avoid a surprising bill. You'll receive an email, text or both when your energy usage exceeds the threshold you set. This gives you more time to conserve energy before the bill arrives. To learn more visit dominionenergy.com/virginia/billing/energy-usage-alerts.
• Budget Billing
  Our budget billing program helps customers avoid seasonal fluctuations with their power bills. Monthly budget bill amounts are based on the average of the customer's previous 12 months of usage. Customers may sign into to their account online to see if they qualify.
• Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP)
  PIPP is a new year-round bill assistance program for low-income customers. Customers below 150% of the federal poverty level are eligible to have their monthly power bill capped at 6-10% of their income, depending on their primary heat source. For more information visit
  dominionenergy.com/virginia/billing/energy-assistance#pipp.
• EnergyShare Bill Payment Assistance
  The EnergyShare program offers up to $300 in bill payment assistance from June 1 through September 30. The program is not income-based, so anyone in need of assistance may qualify. To learn more visit Virginia 211 [211virginia.org].
• EnergyShare Weatherization Programs
  Customers who receive EnergyShare bill payment assistance may also be eligible to receive a free home energy assessment and free energy efficiency upgrades to save on their energy costs.
• Extended Payment Plans
  We offer extended payment plans to help customers who've fallen behind on their bills. Eligible customers can make a 50% down payment on their past due bill and spread the remaining balance over 6 months. Customers may sign into their account online to see if they qualify.

Tips to Save Energy and Money

Here are a few easy ways to save on the energy use in your home:

• Set your thermostat a few degrees higher than normal when you're home. Each degree can make a real difference in your energy usage and your power bill.
• When you leave home, turn up your thermostat a few more degrees. Small adjustments throughout the day can save you money.
• Keep window shades closed during the hottest parts of the day. Sunny windows increase the temperature of your home, which makes your air conditioning unit work harder and uses more energy.
• Set your ceiling fans to spin counterclockwise. This creates a cool breeze in your home and reduces the amount of energy your air conditioning unit needs.

For more ways to save, visit www.dominionenergy.com/virginia/save-energy.

Provides heating assistance during the winter months to income-eligible households. Assistance includes:

• Payment of heating bills
• Repair of heating equipment
• Delivery of oil, etc.

Apply for this and other benefits on-line at CommonHelp or call Enterprise Customer Call Center at 1.855.635.4370.  For more information, call 703.746.5700.

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is a temporary, federally funded program created to assist low-income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes that pay a high proportion of household income for drinking water and wastewater services. LIHWAP can assist with the payment of arrearages for disconnected households or those households who are at risk of disconnection (within the next 30 days after application). LIHWAP is now available to eligible Virginia residents. LIHWAP assistance will be available through September 2023 or until funds are depleted.

The program is administered by the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) in partnership with Promise Network. Local DSS  offices will not be accepting or processing applications for this program; no data will be available in the Virginia Case Management System regarding LIHWAP. Customers who have questions about the program and/or wish to apply should be referred to Promise Network at 1-888-373-9908 from 7 am- 7 pm Monday – Saturday or at https://virginialihwap.com. The VDSS Public Site will also direct customers to contact Promise Network directly regarding the LIHWAP.

The Dominion Energy (formerly Virginia Power) Energy Share Program provides financial assistance to income-eligible households with a heating bill if the service is in danger of being cut-off or has been cut-off. Call 703.746.5700 or call the Salvation Army at 703.836.2427.

Provides assistance with heating payments for income-eligible households in danger of losing their primary source of heat. This program is administered by the Salvation Army, 107 E. Bellefonte Ave., Alexandria, 703.836.2427. 

During the summer and winter months, the City of Alexandria offers several locations as options to those without heating or cooling in their homes as well as heating and cooling centers during periods of extreme heat and cold. Learn more.