In 2025, the Department of Social Services (DSS) conducted its tenth biennial survey. The survey’s primary purpose was to determine the extent to which the Commonwealth’s efforts in assisting low-income households are adequate and not duplicative of similar services provided by utility services providers, charitable organizations, and local governments. This report contains data from the DSS Energy Assistance Program (EAP) database, as well as data compiled in collaboration with the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Dominion Energy (DE), and American Electric Power (AEP). DSS appreciates the contributions made to the report by all people and organizations involved.

The need for utility assistance continues to grow each year. It represents over one-third of all requests received by “211 Virginia." Many low-income households do not receive assistance in meeting these needs. According to the U.S. Census Current Population Survey (CPS) Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC) and the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), there are 922,930 LIHEAP-eligible households in Virginia; only one-third of these households apply for the EAP despite outreach efforts. For those households who do receive assistance, they are sometimes still forced to make choices about which bills they will pay each month since the assistance does not cover all of their utility costs. Utility costs continue to rise although LIHEAP funding is not increased at the same pace. Additional local programs are created each year but there is still a gap for many of these households, especially the elderly and disabled. The need for continued funding for these programs is clear.