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VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT

OF SOCIAL SERVICES ENERGY ASSISTANCE

06/11 VOLUME X, CHAPTER A, PAGE 2

By making program information available, the Program will be reaching low income persons who have transportation problems, have frequent changes of residence, have communication problems, or are seriously threatened by energy emergencies. For the hearing and speech -impaired, no cost service is available through the Virginia Relay Center, by dialing 7-1-1. This service will assure that the information on the program is available to eligible households and that households with priority status for the Program are reached. Priority status includes the aged, the disabled, child under 6 and households with the lowest income and highest energy costs.

LDSS should post information in the waiting areas and in other highly visible areas. Localities may have other resources that can be used to distribute information to the public. VDSS normally contacts the press about the Program. LDSS may also want to have information regarding program dates reported in local newspapers.

4. WEATHERIZATION AND ENERGY CONSERVATION

The EAP must be coordinated with weatherization and conservation programs, including the Virginia Weatherization Program, which is funded by the U.S. Departments of Energy and Health and Human Services. LDSS shall identify local conservation programs and provide applicants with information on these programs. Contact your local weatherization office to determine appropriate referrals for your locality. Weatherization agencies can be found on the internet at http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/images/Housing/Weatherization-Provider-List.pdf

The VDSS will provide a report of all approved households to the Weatherization Program. All applicants should be informed that their name might be referred to the Weatherization Program.

5. OTHER RESOURCES

Since the EAP will not be able to meet all energy and emergency needs, LDSS should assume the lead in identifying and planning for the utilization of other available LDSS and community resources. For example, community groups may be able to assist LDSS by providing outreach or transportation and completing applications for homebound individuals. The 2-1-1 VIRGINIA Information & Referral program is now available. The scope of services offered by 2-1-1 VIRGINIA is statewide, providing assistance to those individuals requesting health and human services information. The 2-1- 1 VIRGINIA database includes many community partners, action agencies and nonprofits across the Commonwealth.

LDSS must coordinate services provided with community agencies and other nonprofit organizations to assure that energy and emergency needs are met and that services are not duplicated. Households found ineligible for Fuel Assistance should be referred to other agencies or utility companies in the appropriate service area, such as EnergyShare (http://www.dom.com/about/community/energyshare.jsp), Neighbor to Neighbor or HeatShare, if the household appears potentially eligible.

TRANSMITTAL #11-1