Help paying your electric bill in Virginia
Virginia got $103.9 million in the HHS table, about $31 for each of its 3,326,260 households. Income limit 150% of the poverty guideline; public line 855-635-4370. Heating help reached 101 households in FY2024.
Who to call in Virginia
- Virginia LIHEAP public line855-635-4370
- State program sitedss.virginia.gov/benefit/ea/index.cgi
- Virginia State Corporation Commission804-371-9967 · 800-552-7945 (links checked 2026-10-02)
Shutoff rules and moratoria in Virginia
Virginia: cold weather by temperature; hot weather by temperature; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | Virginia |
|---|---|
| Cold temperature | Forecast to be below 32°F within 24 hours following a scheduled disconnection. |
| Hot temperature | Forecast to be above 92°F within 24 hours following a scheduled disconnection. |
| Health or age needs | Customers can notify a utility of a serious medical condition and the termination of service can be delayed up to 15 days. Once a Medical Condition Certification Form is filled, termination can be delayed a minimum of 30 calendar days beyond the date of... |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites Temperature Based Disconnection Policies; Medical Exemption for Service Termination Policy.
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: Va. Code 56-245.1:3 and 56-245.1:4; 56-247.1(A)(4); 20VAC5-330-10 to -40. Virginia bars residential electric disconnection when the forecast is 32 F or lower, or 92 F or higher, within 24 hours, and on Fridays, weekends and state holidays. Disconnection requires 60 days arrears and two notice methods. Medical-condition certification delays termination 30 days. Quote: “No utilities shall disconnect from service any residential customer for nonpayment of bills or fees on Fridays, weekends, state holidays”. Source: text of the rule (state official (Virginia Law / LIS)).
| Point | Virginia: Va. Code 56-245.1:3 and 56-245.1:4; 56-247.1(A)(4); 20VAC5-330-10 to -40 |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | Electric utility may not disconnect residential customer for nonpayment when forecast low is at or below 32 F within the 24 hours after the scheduled disconnection (NWS local forecast). |
| Heat | Same bar when forecast temperature is at or above 92 F within 24 hours after scheduled disconnection. |
| Who is protected | Rule 20VAC5-330-40: with a Serious Medical Condition Certification Form on file, termination delayed at least 30 calendar days beyond notice; without the form, 15-day delay on oral/written notice (once per 12 months), converting to 30 days if form arrives; delays allowed two times in a 12-month period; reconnection within 14 days of a termination on receipt of the form. |
| Notice | Statute: at least two of mail, email, text, phone call, door hanger; no disconnection until account is 60 days in arrears and utility has offered payment assistance/plan; 56-247.1(A)(4): 10 days' notice by mail for electric/gas. No disconnection on Fridays, weekends, state holidays or the day before one. |
| Payment plan | Utility must make reasonable efforts to offer bill payment assistance, arrange a payment plan, or give information on other assistance after each missed payment; deposit to restore capped at 25% of arrearage for HEAP-funded customers (once every three years). |
| Who the rule covers | Statute: 'utility' = electric company, gas supplier, water/wastewater provider subject to SCC regulation. Rule 20VAC5-330-10 states it applies to investor-owned electric utilities and electric cooperatives (among others). |
| Complaints | 56-247.1(A)(3): utility's complaint procedure must tell customer the State Corporation Commission is the regulator and give its contact info. Phone not read this session. |
Did not read SCC consumer pages or utility tariffs; the 32/92 F bans are statutory (not in 20VAC5-330); 56-245.1:4 shows 2026 amendment (c. 250).
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
LIHEAP in Virginia: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | Virginia | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $103,925,790 = $90,589,994 + $2,714,024 IIJA + $10,621,772 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | 150% Federal Poverty Level Weatherization: 60% State Median Income | snapshot 19 Aug 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating: $181 minimum, $634 maximum Cooling: $50 minimum, $700 maximum Winter Crisis: $4,200 maximum | snapshot 19 Aug 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 101, 881 Cooling: 82,983 Winter Crisis: 14,829 Weatherization: 584 | snapshot 19 Aug 2026 |
| Program dates | Heating: October 14 - November 14 Cooling: June 15 - August 15 Winter Crisis: November 1 - March 16 Weatherization: Year-round | snapshot 19 Aug 2026 |
CSV
CSVVirginia in numbers
- Virginia ranks 33rd of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($31), 43rd on households below the poverty line (10.2%) and 41st on low-income energy burden (7.5%).
- Per household below the poverty line (338,801 of them) the FY26 funds come to $307, rank 24th of 51: 16% of a typical year's electricity ($1,957). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 143,207 households got help in FY2022 against 900,463 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 16% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $750, 38% of that year.
- Heating season: October 14 - November 14. Counted FY2024: heating, cooling, winter crisis, weatherization.
- Neighbours: FY26 dollars per household run from $25 (North Carolina) to $49 (West Virginia); low-income burden from 5.9% (District of Columbia) to 11.8% (West Virginia). Virginia: $31 and 7.5%.
Where Virginia's low-income bills bite hardest
- Highest burden: Radford city 11.8% (2,607 households); Martinsville city 11.6% (3,216 households); Emporia city 11.5% (1,167 households); Southampton County 11.4% (2,453 households).
- Most low-income households: Fairfax County 58,391 (5.3%); Virginia Beach city 41,880 (6.5%); Richmond city 38,904 (8.2%).
133 counties.
Am I likely eligible in Virginia?
Median household income in Virginia is $90,974, 276% of the four-person guideline; check line 150% (2026 guideline).
How heavy is the energy bill in Virginia?
7.5% of income in low-income households, 1.9% overall. Ranking, Virginia prices.
| Group | Count | Virginia detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 900,463 households | 7.5% of income; $1,909 a year on $25,298 | rank 41 of 51 |
| All households | 3,289,776 households | 1.9%; $2,240 on $115,512 | rank 43 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 338,801 households | 10.2% of 3,326,260 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 43 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 15.28 ¢/kWh | bill $163 a month at 1,067 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVUtility and state bill programs in Virginia
- Some utilities in Virginia waive security deposits for LIHEAP eligible customers. Appalachian Power, 1-800-956-4237 Dominion Virginia Power, 1-866-366-4357 Virginia Natural Gas, 1-866-229-3578 Washington Gas, 703-750-1000
Excerpts, section of 19 Aug 2026. Utilities: Appalachian Power (AEP), Atmos Energy, City of Charlottesville, Columbia Gas, Dominion Virginia Power, Harrisonburg Electric and 3 more.
Virginia on the map
Next to Virginia
District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia. Most FY26 funds per household: West Virginia, $49. Virginia: $31. All 51.
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in Virginia
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (Virginia State Corporation Commission sets rules).
- Call 855-635-4370 or 211.
- Ask about temperature-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: Virginia State Corporation Commission, 804-371-9967.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
Is LIHEAP money enough for a Virginia bill?
$307 per poor household, 16% of $1,957.
How much LIHEAP money does Virginia get?
$103.9 million in FY2026, $31 per household, rank 33 of 51.
What income limit does Virginia use for LIHEAP?
$40,980 for three people at 150% of the guideline; median household income $90,974; FY2022 heating standard 150% for four.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Virginia?
Call 855-635-4370. Site: http://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/ea/index.cgi
Can Virginia utilities cut power in winter or summer?
temperature for cold; temperature for heat. Forecast to be below 32°F within 24 hours following a scheduled disconnection.
How big is the energy burden in Virginia?
7.5% of income for low-income households, 1.9% for all; $1,909 a year for the first group.
How many Virginia households got energy help?
143,207 in FY2022, 101 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $750.