The Prince William County Department of Social Services (DSS) is currently accepting applications for the Virginia Energy Assistance Program’s Cooling Assistance initiative. This program, which runs until August 15, aims to help eligible households manage the costs associated with cooling their homes during the summer.
The DSS facilitates this program locally, providing assistance that can include payments for electric bills needed to operate cooling equipment, repair or purchase of air conditioning units, security deposits for utility services, and a one-time purchase and installation of central or window AC units.
Eligibility criteria require households to have a gross income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level and must include at least one vulnerable individual—such as an adult aged 60 or older, a child under six, or a person with a disability.
Residents interested in applying can do so online at commonhelp.virginia.gov, by phone at 1-855-635-4370 from Monday to Friday between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., via email at [email protected], by faxing documents to 1-833-677-1482, or through mail/drop-off at specified addresses in Manassas and Woodbridge.
“This seasonal assistance plays a vital role in protecting the health and well-being of some of the county’s most vulnerable residents.”
For further information or assistance with applications, individuals are encouraged to contact the Prince William County Department of Social Services directly at (703) 792-7500.
