Get Help Paying Your Dominion Energy Bill in Virginia

Paying your monthly energy bill can be a struggle, especially during times of financial hardship. If you are a Dominion Energy customer in Virginia who needs help with your electric bill, there are resources and programs available to provide bill pay assistance. Dominion Energy offers payment plans, budget billing, and bill discounts to help customers manage energy costs. They also partner with government and nonprofit agencies to connect qualifying customers to energy assistance funds. This article will explain the various ways to get financial help with paying your Dominion Energy bill in Virginia.

Dominion Energy Payment Plans

If you are facing a temporary financial setback, Dominion Energy offers some flexible payment options to help you get back on track with your bill.

Short-Term Payment Extensions

You may be eligible for a short-term payment extension if you cannot pay the full amount due This allows you extra time to pay your current bill, but payment must be made before your next bill is due There are no fees or penalties for payment extensions.

Long-Term Payment Plans

For larger past due balances, Dominion Energy offers long-term payment plans to divide the amount owed into smaller monthly payments over 6 months. This allows you to pay your regular monthly bill plus a portion of the past due balance each month. A down payment may be required when setting up the plan.

Budget Billing

To make energy costs more predictable, Dominion Energy offers budget billing. This program averages your estimated annual usage and divides it into even monthly payments so the amount due each month remains consistent. Your actual usage is still shown on monthly bills for tracking purposes. Budget billing helps avoid bill spikes during peak seasonal usage.

Bill Discounts and Waivers

Senior Citizen Discount

Seniors 65 and older who meet income requirements are eligible for a monthly $12 discount on their Dominion Energy electric bill. You must re-verify eligibility each year.

Active Duty Military Bill Waiver

Active duty military who are deployed can have their Dominion Energy bill waived for up to two years under the EnergyShare program. You must submit deployment orders and be in good standing prior to deployment.

Government Energy Assistance

If you meet low-income eligibility rules, you may qualify for federal and state bill payment assistance programs administered by the Virginia Department of Social Services.

Fuel Assistance

The Fuel Assistance program helps pay for heating and cooling costs. Depending on your income and expenses, you may receive $300 to $600 annually towards your Dominion Energy bill. Applications are open in October and November each year.

Crisis Assistance

Crisis Assistance helps low-income households during a heating or cooling emergency such as an inoperable furnace. It can provide financial assistance with utility bills and heating equipment repairs. The program is open January through mid-March.

Cooling Assistance

This summertime program helps purchase and operate cooling equipment for low-income households with vulnerable individuals. Applications are accepted June 15 to August 15 each year.

Charitable Energy Assistance

If you don’t qualify for government aid, various nonprofit organizations and churches provide energy bill assistance through private funding sources.

EnergyShare

Dominion Energy partners with a network of nonprofits across Virginia to distribute aid from its EnergyShare charitable fund. It offers heating and cooling bill payment assistance to households facing financial crisis.

Local Charities

Contact United Way or find churches and charities in your county that offer utility bill assistance. Some distribute aid year-round, while others offer it seasonally when energy burdens are highest. 2-1-1 Virginia can refer you to programs in your area.

Managing Energy Costs

While bill assistance provides temporary relief, reducing your home energy use can help lower costs long-term.

• Replace old appliances and HVAC systems with energy efficient models
• Update insulation, windows, and weather stripping to reduce leaks
• Install a programmable thermostat
• Switch to LED light bulbs
• Wash clothes in cold water and air dry when possible
• Unplug devices when not in use
• Lower water heater temperature
• Open blinds during winter days to let sunlight heat home

Lowering energy consumption even modestly can yield savings. Dominion Energy offers free home energy audits and rebates on efficiency upgrades to help reduce your monthly bill.

Avoiding Scams and Disconnection

Unfortunately, scammers sometimes pose as Dominion Energy threatening disconnection if immediate payment is not made. Dominion will never demand instant payment over the phone or to a personal account. Verify your account balance through official channels before making any payment.

If you anticipate missing a payment, contact Dominion Energy as soon as possible to set up a payment plan. Disconnection can be avoided with proper payment arrangements. Also notify them if a household member has a serious medical condition that requires uninterrupted electric service. While this won’t eliminate charges, it can prevent disconnection in some cases.

Get Help Today

Don’t struggle with energy costs alone. Dominion Energy offers various tools to help customers manage their bills. Payment plans provide flexibility, while government and nonprofit programs assist qualifying households. Monitoring energy use and contacting Dominion at the first sign of financial hardship can also help avoid disconnection. There are always options available, but you have to take the first step and ask for help.