[Archived] City of Alexandria Reminds Residents of Emergency Energy and Heating Assistance Programs

City Press Release


	For Immediate Release	For More Information, Contact
	February 6, 2007 PIO# 029-07/jbh	Brian Hannigan, Director of Communications, or Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300 Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300

CITY OF ALEXANDRIA REMINDS RESIDENTS OF EMERGENCY ENERGY
AND HEATING ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Public and Private Aid Targets Homes without Heating Fuel or Facing Heat Utility Shutoffs

With extreme cold weather expected, the Alexandria Department of Human Services (DHS) reminds City residents of the availability of several public and private assistance programs to help financially distressed households avoid running out of heating fuel or having their utility service shut off due to nonpayment.

Crisis Assistance. Applications are being accepted through March 31 for the Crisis Assistance component of the Virginia Energy Assistance (EAP) Program. Financial assistance is available to eligible low-income households to help pay for the primary fuel used to heat the dwelling. To be eligible for EAP assistance, households must be out of fuel or facing imminent termination of the primary source of heat for the dwelling. Eligibility and benefit amounts have been established by the Virginia Department of Social Services. Income and resources of all household members must be verified.

All applicants will receive written notice of eligibility and benefit level. Benefits are based on household size, income and type of fuel used to heat the home. In most cases, payments are made directly to the energy provider. Eligible households may also receive assistance with repair and replacement of inoperable heating equipment through the crisis assistance component of the program.

The Washington Area Fuel Fund and the EnergyShare program are also available to assist Alexandria households facing an energy crisis. The Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF) is sponsored by Washington Gas and administered locally by the Salvation Army, located at 1804 Mt. Vernon Ave. Assistance with the primary source of heat is available for eligible households. Contact Betty Waites at 703-836-2427 for information or to apply for WAFF.

The EnergyShare Program, sponsored by Dominion Virginia Power, is administered by the Department of Human Services for Alexandria residents. For additional information contact Office of Community Services staff at 703-838-0971. Located at 2525 Mt. Vernon Avenue, the Department of Human Services is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Department of Human Services also manages the Charitable Fuel Fund to help needy residents meet increases in home heating costs. Tax-deductible donations from local residents and businesses are applied to help families at-risk of losing their source of heat. For more information please contact the Department of Human Services at (703) 838-0971.

The Alexandria City Council authorized the Charitable Fuel Fund last winter following steep increases in heating fuel costs.

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