(Updated October 2023)
It’s hard to believe right now, but cold weather is coming. You may be eligible to receive help with heating costs through two energy assistance programs that are accepting applications in October and November.
The Fuel Assistance Program helps eligible households in meeting their energy needs by supplementing the cost associated with their primary heat source. Eligible households must meet income requirements.
Applications for the Fuel Assistance Program are accepted the second Tuesday in October through the second Friday in November.
Approved applicants will be notified of their benefit amount in late December. Payments begin in January and continue through April or until the benefit has been exhausted.
The Crisis Assistance Program is designed to help households overcome energy emergencies that cannot be met by other resources. An energy emergency is determined when a household has no heat or is in imminent danger of being without heat. Crisis Assistance offers assistance with one or more of the following:
- Payment of primary heat source utility bills (begins Monday, Jan. 3, 2022).
- Payment of security deposits for primary heat utility.
- Purchase of primary home heating fuel when the fuel supply is low.
- Repair of inoperable or unsafe heating equipment.
- Replacement of heating equipment for homeowners only (when repair is not possible).
- Provision of supplemental heating equipment/maintenance.
Open application period:
- November 1 through March 15 for heating equipment repair/ purchase/maintenance and a onetime-only heat security deposit.
- The first business day in January through March 15 for purchase of home heating fuel and payment of a heat utility bill.
- Online
- Phone: Enterprise Call Center at 833-5-CALL-VA (833-522-5582).
- In Person: Applications for Energy Assistance are available at the Fairfax County Human Services Centers (Lake Anne in Reston).
- Paper Application
- Mail: 12011 Government Center Parkway, Suite 232,Fairfax, VA 22035
- Fax: 703-653-1355
- Email: DFSmycase@FairfaxCounty.gov
- Drop off at one of the four DFS office locations.
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