Dollar Energy Fund in West Virginia.

The Salvation Army administers a grant program commonly known as the Dollar Energy Fund. The program is officially known as the West Virginia Utility Assistance Program. Financial assistance and grants are distributed to assist qualified customers with their gas, electric, energy and water bills. Each and every year thousands of families across the state may receive some form of assistance from this program.

The program is targeted at the low income, working poor, senior citizens, and others who may be struggling. The resource is based on certain federal government poverty guidelines. However the applicant does not need to meet the government guidelines as the income levels are more generous than the federal government classifications.

There are several conditions that need to be met in order to get assistance, and your local Salvation Army branch in West Virginia can provide the details, or feel free to call your utility company. In addition to meeting determined low income guidelines, the applicants needs to have made a good faith effort towards paying their utility or water bills as Dollar Energy is not a strict charity program. All Salvation Army branches across the state have information and can accept applications to the Dollar Energy fund.

The West Virginia Utility Assistance Program is also a so called program of last resort. What this means is that prior to applying for assistance, all potential applicants must have previously applied for all open and available federal government and state of West Virginia grant programs. The programs that families or individuals must have applied to include, but are not limited to E-LIEAP, EA, LIEAP, and any others that may be currently available. Senior citizens will also have other conditions that need to be met, that are not as strict, so seniors are more likely to qualify for aid. This program can help feel any gaps in needed aid.

After applying, if you are found to be qualified, customers will be able to receive a one-time cash grant that will be applied directly to their outstanding utility or water bill. It is important to note that grants from the Dollar Energy program are available to customers across West Virginia who may not be eligible for LIHEAP. So this resource is more effective in addressing a wider number of needs from customers. Call your local Salvation Army branch in West Virginia in order to apply for assistance.