Department of Family Services Alert:

CONTACT INFORMATION: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Phone 703-324-7500 TTY 711

DFSMyCase@fairfaxcounty.gov

Multiple Locations - Main Office: 12011 Government Center Parkway, Pennino Building
Fairfax, VA 22035

Lisa Tatum
Director

Department Resources

Related Resources

Energy Assistance

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Energy Assistance programs help eligible households pay heating and cooling bills and manage home energy emergencies. Programs have seasonal open application periods. Learn more about Energy Assistance.

Cooling Assistance

Cooling Assistance is a program designed to help keep vulnerable Fairfax County residents cool during the summer months. To be eligible, at least one household member must be: 60 or older, 5 or younger, or disabled according to Social Security, Medicaid or 100% Veteran’s Administration.

The open application period for Cooling Assistance is from June 15 - August 17, 2026.

Cooling assistance can help with:

Payment of electric bills to operate cooling equipment.
Payment of security deposits for electricity to operate cooling equipment for accounts in danger of being disconnected or when a deposit is needed to begin service.
Repair of a central air conditioning system or heat pump.
Purchase of a whole-house fan, including ceiling or attic fans when there is no other working cooling equipment in the home.
Purchase and installation, or self-pick-up, of one air conditioning unit (window or portable) for households when there is no other working cooling equipment in the home.

Additional Cooling Resources

Senior Cool Care Program: If you’re 60 or older, you may also be eligible for a fan or air conditioning unit through the Senior Cool Care Program. To learn more, please call the Aging, Disability & Caregiver Resources Line at 703-324-7948.
AC Rescue: If you are not eligible for Cooling Assistance, you may be eligible for small air conditioning (AC) equipment through the AC Rescue program, operated by Fairfax County's Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC). Learn more

Fuel Assistance

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.

Open application period for the Fuel Assistance Program is 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.

Crisis Assistance

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.
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 16 for heating equipment repair/ purchase/maintenance and a one-time only heat security deposit.
The first business day in January through March 16 for purchase of home heating fuel and payment of a heat utility bill.

Percentage of Income Payment Program (PIPP)

PIPP helps eligible Dominion Energy customers maintain their electric service by making utility bills more affordable.

The monthly bill amount, or “PIPP Amount,” for a customer will be based on a percentage of the household’s income and primary heat source.

10% of gross monthly household income when the household has electricity as their primary heat source or
6% of gross monthly household income when the household does not have electricity as their primary heat source.

Each month a customer makes the required PIPP payment on-time and in-full, the customer:

Avoids new utility debt
Reduces old utility debt

A portion of the customer’s actual account balance is removed through incentive credits applied to the account.

A credit for the difference between the current bill amount and the PIPP Amount due.
A 1/12th credit of their past due balance (calculated at enrollment) is applied to the account.

How to Apply

Online
Phone: Enterprise Call Center at 833-5-CALL-VA (833-522-5582).
- Only available for Cooling, Fuel and Crisis Assistance programs. You cannot apply for PIPP by phone.
In-Person and Mail: Paper applications are available at DFS office locations or call 703-324-7500 to request an application be mailed to you. Paper applications are accepted by:
- MAIL: 12011 Government Center Parkway, Suite 232, Fairfax, VA 22035
- FAX: fax a completed application to (703) 653-1355
- EMAIL: Take a picture and send to DFSMycase@fairfaxcounty.gov
- IN PERSON: drop off at one of the four DFS office locations

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