The Cooling Assistance Program
Applications will be received June 15 through August 17, 2020. In order to receive benefits a household must include a vulnerable person which is:
-someone age 60 or over
-under age 6
-disabled per Social Security guidelines
-receiving 100% Veterans disability
Income must not exceeds the limits in the chart below.
Assistance can include:
-payment of an electric bill to operate cooling equipment
-repair of central air or heat pump
-purchase of an air conditioner or fan
Applications can be made:
-online at www.commonhelp.virginia.gov
-by calling 1-855-635-4370
-via mail or fax to the local agency. Call 783-8148 to have one mailed to you
-dropped off at the local agency between 8:15 am to 5:00 pm
Some households may be pre-approved for assistance with paying their electric bill. If you have any questions about this or other program guidelines, call 783-8148.
Household Size Maximum Monthly Income
1 $1,383
2 $1,868
3 $2,353
4 $2,839
5 $3,324
6 $3,809
-someone age 60 or over
-under age 6
-disabled per Social Security guidelines
-receiving 100% Veterans disability
Income must not exceeds the limits in the chart below.
Assistance can include:
-payment of an electric bill to operate cooling equipment
-repair of central air or heat pump
-purchase of an air conditioner or fan
Applications can be made:
-online at www.commonhelp.virginia.gov
-by calling 1-855-635-4370
-via mail or fax to the local agency. Call 783-8148 to have one mailed to you
-dropped off at the local agency between 8:15 am to 5:00 pm
Some households may be pre-approved for assistance with paying their electric bill. If you have any questions about this or other program guidelines, call 783-8148.
Household Size Maximum Monthly Income
1 $1,383
2 $1,868
3 $2,353
4 $2,839
5 $3,324
6 $3,809
More information:
Energy Assistance
The Smyth County Department of Social Services administers programs to help with heating or cooling costs throughout the year for income eligible households.
The Fuel Assistance Program provides help to pay winter heating bills. Applications are accepted from the second Tuesday in October through the second Friday in November. Payments to vendors are made during the month of December.
The Crisis Assistance Program is intended to meet a household's emergency heating needs when no other resource is available. Starting from November 1 through March 15, applications are accepted to help with repair or replacement of heating equipment, or a one-time only security deposit. Applications for payment of heat utility bills or the purchase of home heating fuel are accepted beginning the first work day in January.
In order to qualify for Primary Fuel/Utility, you must have already used your benefits from Fuel Assistance and be in a crisis situation. A crisis situation is one of the following: have a disconnect notice for electric or gas; have less than 25 gallons of oil/kerosene; have less than a week’s supply of wood/coal; and 10% or less for bottled gas.
You must own your home in order to qualify for heating equipment replacement.
The Cooling Assistance Program provides purchases or repair of cooling equipment and/or payment for electricity to operate cooling equipment. To be eligible, a household must be income eligible and contain at least one vulnerable individual who is age 60 or over, disabled, or under the age of 6. Applications for this program are accepted from June 15 through August 17 each year.
For additional information about the Energy Assistance Program or to obtain applications, you can contact the Smyth County Department of Social Services at the Virginia Department of Social Services website, or call the agency at 276-783-8148. You can also apply on line through CommonHelp at http://commonhelp.virginia.gov.
Paper applications may be submitted to the local office in person by mail or by fax.
Back to the Programs List
The Fuel Assistance Program provides help to pay winter heating bills. Applications are accepted from the second Tuesday in October through the second Friday in November. Payments to vendors are made during the month of December.
The Crisis Assistance Program is intended to meet a household's emergency heating needs when no other resource is available. Starting from November 1 through March 15, applications are accepted to help with repair or replacement of heating equipment, or a one-time only security deposit. Applications for payment of heat utility bills or the purchase of home heating fuel are accepted beginning the first work day in January.
In order to qualify for Primary Fuel/Utility, you must have already used your benefits from Fuel Assistance and be in a crisis situation. A crisis situation is one of the following: have a disconnect notice for electric or gas; have less than 25 gallons of oil/kerosene; have less than a week’s supply of wood/coal; and 10% or less for bottled gas.
You must own your home in order to qualify for heating equipment replacement.
The Cooling Assistance Program provides purchases or repair of cooling equipment and/or payment for electricity to operate cooling equipment. To be eligible, a household must be income eligible and contain at least one vulnerable individual who is age 60 or over, disabled, or under the age of 6. Applications for this program are accepted from June 15 through August 17 each year.
For additional information about the Energy Assistance Program or to obtain applications, you can contact the Smyth County Department of Social Services at the Virginia Department of Social Services website, or call the agency at 276-783-8148. You can also apply on line through CommonHelp at http://commonhelp.virginia.gov.
Paper applications may be submitted to the local office in person by mail or by fax.
Back to the Programs List