Help paying for heat or a broken furnace in Danville
If your heat is out and money is tight, there's state help that many people don't know about. Virginia's Energy Assistance Program, run by the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), can help pay heating bills, and in an emergency it can help repair or replace heating equipment.
This is a summary of the VDSS program as of October 2026. Funding is limited and rules can change. Check with VDSS or the Danville Division of Social Services for the current details and whether you qualify.
The three parts of the program
All information below is from the VDSS Energy Assistance page.
Fuel Assistance: help with heating costs
- Apply: from the second Tuesday in October through the second Friday in November. For 2026 that's October 13 through November 13, 2026.
- Helps households responsible for heating costs. VDSS says eligibility notices go out in late December.
Crisis Assistance: heating emergencies
- For households with a heating emergency, such as no heat, a cut-off notice, or unsafe equipment.
- Heating equipment repair or replacement and security deposits: apply November 1 through March 15.
- Fuel and heating utility bills: apply January through March 15.
- The Pittsylvania County page for the same program notes that equipment help is one time and depends on available funds (Pittsylvania County).
Cooling Assistance: summer
- Apply: June 15 through August 17.
- Can help with a window AC unit, central AC or heat pump repair, or electric bills. The household must include someone 60 or older, a person with a disability, or a child under 6.
Who qualifies
Per VDSS, the basic requirements for all three parts are:
- Your household has a heating or cooling expense, and
- Gross monthly income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level for your household size.
There are other rules, too. Apply even if you're not sure. The local office makes the decision.
How to apply
- Online: CommonHelp
- By phone: VDSS lists 855-635-4370, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- In person or on paper: through your local department of social services. Danville residents go to the Danville Division of Social Services, 510 Patton Street, (434) 799-6543 (SeniorNavigator listing). Pittsylvania County residents go to the county's social services office. Paper forms are available on the VDSS site.
Apply early. Funding is limited, and help depends on the money available.
If your heat is out right now
- Stay safe. If you use space heaters, the CPSC recommends keeping them at least three feet from anything that can burn. Plug them straight into the wall. Never use a stove, oven or grill to heat the house.
- If you smell gas or a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, get out and call 911 from outside. See burning smells and CO.
- Check the simple things first: thermostat batteries, breakers and the furnace switch. See thermostat not working.
- Get a diagnosis. If you're applying for Crisis Assistance for equipment, a written diagnosis and estimate from an HVAC company may help. Ask your social services office what they need.
Need an HVAC company?
We can connect you with a heating contractor who serves Danville and Pittsylvania County, to diagnose the problem and give you a written estimate. It's free to ask.