Chester, VA – Columbia Gas of Virginia is reminding its customers that, in addition to cash grants, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers crisis grants to aid income-eligible households without heat or in danger of being without heat.
The deadline to apply for the crisis grants that offer equipment-related assistance and help with security deposits, as well as heating fuel utility bills, is Friday, March 15, 2024. The maximum benefit for a utility bill payment is $510. Applicants are eligible for one crisis grant for usage per heating season, and one crisis grant for security deposit in a lifetime.
“We encourage our customers who need support to apply as soon as possible. We never want them to feel like they must choose between feeding their families and keeping them warm,” said Columbia Gas of Virginia President and Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Montague. “Additionally, these types of grants are especially helpful for households facing unanticipated heating emergencies, and because they’re one-time grants, customers don’t have to worry about repaying them.”
LIHEAP is a federally-funded program administered by the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS). Customers can apply in multiple ways:
- Online via the Commonwealth of Virginia CommonHelp portal at commonhelp.virginia.gov;
- By calling the VDSS Enterprise Customer Service Center at 1-855-635-4370 Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; or
- Manually by submitting an application to their local department of social services.
The income eligibility for the 2023-2024 program is 150 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines, meaning that an individual with an annual income of up to $21,870 is eligible to apply and a family of four with an annual income of up to $45,000 can apply.
In addition to LIHEAP, Columbia Gas offers other assistance programs that feature flexible payment options, budget plans and income-eligible financial support. Customers can find out what programs they may qualify for by using our eligibility calculator at www.columbiagasva.com/eligibility-calculator or by calling 1-800-543-8911 to speak with a Columbia Gas representative. Additional information can be found at our Energy Assistance Resource Center at www.columbiagasva.com/energy-assistance-resource-center.
