When temperatures and humidity soar, staying cool is not a luxury, but a necessity for health, safety and quality of life.
Social services throughout the commonwealth will accept applications for cooling assistance on Wednesday, June 15, through Monday, Aug. 15 as part of the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) Energy Assistance Program.
Assistance is available to households that include a child under age six, a disabled individual or an adult aged 60 or over who meet income and eligibility requirements.
Cooling assistance can be used to assist families and individuals with: payment of 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 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 $1,287 before taxes and $2,633 for a household with four individuals.
You may apply online at www.dss.state.va.us/benefit or visit the Patrick County Department of Social Services beginning June 15 from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Return your application with a copy of a light (electric) bill that has not been paid to the local department, located off Rye Cove Road in Stuart.
