Deadline nears for cooling assistance

The Virginia Department of Social Services offers a program to help offset the costs of keeping homes cool during the summer. Deadline to apply to the program is Monday, Aug. 15. This press release details how to apply and the types of assistance available:

Deadline to Apply for Cooling Assistance is Aug. 15

Richmond - The deadline to apply for 2011 Cooling Assistance is Monday, Aug. 15. The program helps many Virginia families offset the costs associated with keeping their homes cool and safe during summer months.

Virginia's 120 local departments of social services http://www.dss.virginia.gov/localagency/ will accept applications postmarked or received through Monday, Aug. 15, as part of the Virginia Department of Social Services' (VDSS) Energy Assistance Program.

Aid is available to households with a child under 6-years-old, a person with disabilities, or an adult age 60 or older living in the home who meet the program's income and eligibility requirements. To qualify for Cooling Assistance this year, the maximum gross monthly income (before taxes) for a one-person household is $1,180 and $2,422 for a household of four.

Types of available cooling assistance include:

• Financial aid to help with electric bills to operate cooling equipment;


• Payment of security deposits for electricity to operate cooling equipment;


• Repair of a central air conditioning system or heat pump;


• Purchase of a whole-house fan, including ceiling or attic fans; and


• Purchase and installation of a window unit air conditioner for households without a working one.

Those deemed eligible may qualify for more than one type of assistance.

The Energy Assistance Program is funded by the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program block grant; the amount Virginia receives to disburse to recipients varies from year-to-year depending on the appropriation made by Congress. Assistance is available until funds are depleted.

To learn more or download an application, visit http://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/ea/index.cgi. Individuals must apply at the local department of social services in th