2007 Cooling Assistance Applications Being Accepted

June 18, 2007

When temperatures and humidity soar, staying cool is not a luxury, but a necessity for health, safety and quality of life. From Friday, June 15 through Wednesday, August 15, local departments of social services throughout the Commonwealth will accept Cooling Assistance applications as part of the Virginia Department of Social Services' (VDSS) Energy Assistance Program.

"Virginia's intense summer heat and humidity can be dangerous, particularly for the needy. This program can be of great assistance to those in a low-income household, especially children, disabled, elderly and others who may who may be vulnerable to heat," said VDSS Commissioner Anthony Conyers Jr.

Assistance is available to households that include a child under age six, a disabled individual or an adult age 60 or over who meet income and eligibility requirements.

Cooling assistance can be used to assist families and individuals with:

• payment of electric bills up to $100 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 one window unit air conditioner for households without one or with one that needs to be replaced.

To qualify for Cooling Assistance, the maximum gross monthly income for a one person household is $1,106 before taxes and $2,237 before taxes for a household with four individuals.

The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) is funded by the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program block grant. As part of EAP, the Cooling Assistance program served approximately 43,000 Virginia households last year.

To learn more visit www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/ea/. Families and individuals must apply at their local department of social services by August 15.

The VDSS Home Office is located in Richmond and administers social services programs, consistent with federal and state law and policy of the State Board of Social Services through 120 local departments of social services throughout the state. The VDSS mission is "People helping people triumph over poverty, abuse, and neglect to shape strong futures for themselves, their families and communities."