Dollar Energy Fund’s West Virginia Utility Assistance Program assists eligible utility customers with their gas, electric and water bills. Eligible customers receive a one-time grant applied directly to their utility bill. Our program is a fund of last resort because it goes above and beyond what is available through federal, state and other programs. The West Virginia Utility Assistance Program provides grants to qualified utility customers on a first come, first serve basis while funding is available and eligibility requirements vary based on the utility company. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are subject to change.
2021 – 2022 West Virginia Utility Assistance Program
Program Dates
For customers of Appalachian Power Company:
Open from October 1, 2021, through March 31, 2022, for services that are off or in threat of termination.
From October 1, 2021, to November 30, 2021, grants will only be available to off/term customers who have not received CARES or Fresh Start in 2021.
For customers of Peoples Gas:
Open from October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2022, for all eligible applicants regardless of service status.
For customer of other utilities:
Open from October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2022, for services that are off or in threat of termination only.
If applicants are eligible and programs are open, applicants must apply for LIHEAP and E-LIHEAP before applying for the WV Utility Assistance Program.
Sincere Effort of Payment
For Peoples Gas and Mountaineer Gas customers, no sincere effort of payment is required.
For MonPower and Potomac Edison customers, applicants must have paid at least $150on their account in the past three months. Any applicant age 62 years of age or older will have a payment requirement for electric utilities of $100.
For Appalachian Power and Dominion customers, applicants must have paid at least $100on their account in the past three months. Any applicant age 62 years of age or older will have a payment requirement of $75.
For West Virginia American Water customers, all applicants must have paid least $50 on their account in the past three months.
Exceptions may be made in cases of extreme hardships.
Balance Requirement
Applicants for all utilities must have an outstanding balance on their utility bill of at least $100.
Maximum Grant
The maximum grant amount for Appalachian Power Company customers is $300. The maximum grant amount for West Virginia American Water customers is $250. Applicants for all other utility companies may receive up to $500.
With the exception of West Virginia American Water customers, applicants of all other utility companies can only receive one grant per utility, per program year. (10/1/2021 – 9/30/2022)
West Virginia American Water customers can apply every six months.
Grant awards are based on need and each family’s circumstances are different. Grant amounts are determined on a case-to-case basis.
If a customer’s utility service is off or in threat of termination when they apply and the maximum grant amount will not restore service or stop termination, the application will be denied. The amount needed to restore service or stop a termination is determined by utility review. Notification will be sent to the customer advising them that their application was denied and that an additional payment is required in order to be considered for assistance.
Additional Guidelines
Account must be residential, single home or apartment. No “cooking only,” commercial, industrial, or apartments with shared utility service.
Name on account must be that of an adult who is currently living in the home.
Dollar Energy Fund grants cannot be used to cover security deposits or reconnection fees.
Income Guidelines
Total gross household income for Peoples Gas and West Virginia American Water customers must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.
Total gross household income for customers of all other utility companies must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.
Use our Income Calculator to find out if your gross (before tax) income is within the range of eligibility for our programs.
Application Attachments
Verification of income or proof of LIHEAP or E-LIHEAP application, when those programs are open, must be attached to all applications.
A copy of the most recent utility bill with proof of minimum payment must be attached to all applications.
How to Apply
Call 211 for information on applying for the West Virginia Utility Assistance Program.
You can also contact your utility company for information on a number of different assistance programs that are available to help low-income utility customers.
Appalachian Power Company: 1-800-982-4237
Dominion Energy West Virginia: 1-800-688-4673
Mon Power: 1-800-686-0022
Potomac Edison: 1-800-686-0011
Mountaineer Gas: 1-800-834-2070
Peoples Gas: 1-800-924-2840
West Virginia American Water: 1-800-685-8660
The West Virginia Utility Assistance Program also partners with a network of Community Based Organizations throughout the state. These dedicated agencies provide application intake services for clients. Find an agency in your area with Dollar Energy Fund’s Agency Finder.
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