CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – With cooler weather right around the corner, Dominion Energy Virginia and Columbia Gas of Virginia is reminding those who might need help paying heating bills this winter that applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) open Tuesday.

“It is getting closer to what we call heating season for us and the energy industry, when things start to get a little bit colder, and people will start using their natural gas more often to heat their homes and keep themselves and their families safe and warm,” Stephanie Benson, Communications Manager at Columbia Gas of Virginia, told Cville Right Now. “We never want them to have to choose between putting food on the table (and heating) and that’s why we’re letting them know that the window to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program opens through Nov. 13.”

LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered through the Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) as its Fuel Assistance Program, according to a Columbia release.

“It provides one-time cash grants, which are available on a yearly basis, to qualified applicants for home heating bills or emergency repairs,” Benson said. “The window to apply for this is very narrow and closes Nov. 13, so you have a month to get your information in.”

Dominion participates in this program and offers assistance year-round through its program “EnergyShare.” The program assists with energy bills for any type of heat or cooling, and resident may be eligible if they live in Dominion’s service area, have received a disconnection notice and Budget Billing removal notice, and need service reconnected as well as help keeping a payment plan.

The heating benefit, which began Oct. 1 and lasts through May 31, is up to $600. Customers will have had to contact Dominion about a payment plan, and a budget payment plan is available.

Dominion also offers a Percentage of Income Payment Program (PIPP) to help low-income customers manage their electric bills.

Qualified applicants would pay 10% of their monthly income if heating is electric, and 6% if it’s any other heating source.

The income eligibility for both the LIHEAP and PIPP programs is 150% of the federal poverty level, which is calculated by income level and household size.

“An individual with an annual income up to $23,940 is eligible to apply and a family of four with an annual income up to $49,500 can apply,” Benson said.

Columbia Gas has an eligibility calculator on their website for households to determine if they might be qualified.

Columbia also has other assistance programs such as flexible payment options and budget plans, in addition to income-eligible financial support.

Residents can apply for LIHEAP online, by calling the DSS Enterprise Customer Service Center at 1-855-655-4370 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., or by submitting an application to the local department of social services.

Natural gas prices, according to NYMEX, have fluctuated over the past year, and Benson noted the variable nature is actually a constant.

“For people, a lot of what their bills look like are driven by their natural gas usage,” Benson said. “So, if you use more in the winter as most people do, then your bill may be a little higher.”

She said Columbia Gas of Virginia’s website can walk customers through portions of the bill so they can have a better understanding of what’s being charged.

They have two programs available to assess natural gas use and how customers might be able to use less and save money.

“We have an online home audit which is sort of like a test you take that helps figure out where those sources with the heaviest usage are coming from, and then it gives you personalized recommendations on how you can reduce your energy usage and hopefully your bill,” Benson said. “And for qualifying customers who complete that audit, you’ll get a free energy efficiency kit in the mail.”

She said they also have energy efficiency rebates for appliances.

“Let’s say you have some older natural gas appliances you want to replace such as a heater, a dryer, thermostat or whatever that may be, you can replace those with newer and more efficient appliances,” she said. “There are rebates you can apply for that can help offset those costs.”