Last updated: May 20, 2026
Bottom line
If you are a single mother in West Virginia and cannot keep up with a power, gas, water, heating, phone, or internet bill, start with the program that matches the bill and how urgent the problem is. Heating help usually starts with West Virginia LIEAP. Shutoff problems should also involve your utility company, the Public Service Commission when needed, WV 211, and local Community Action or charity help.
As of this update, the regular 2026 LIEAP application period closed early because funding was exhausted. Emergency LIEAP and future openings are announced by the state, so check the BFA LIEAP page or ask your local DoHS office before you give up.
This guide focuses on real help paths, not promises of instant cash. For broader money help, see ASMOM’s utility bill help guide and West Virginia grants page.
If shutoff is close
Take action before the shutoff date if you can. Many programs need a copy of your bill, account number, proof of income, and a shutoff notice. Waiting until service is already off can make the case harder and may add reconnect fees.
- Call the utility and ask for a payment plan, hold, medical form, or hardship program.
- Dial 2-1-1, text your ZIP code to 898-211, or call 1-833-848-9905 through WV 211.
- Ask a DoHS office about LIEAP, Emergency LIEAP, and Emergency Assistance.
- If you believe the utility is not following shutoff rules, call the West Virginia PSC at 1-800-642-8544 or use the PSC complaint process.
Important: This article is general information. Utility shutoff rights can depend on the type of utility, your account, your payments, your medical situation, and PSC rules. For legal help, use Legal Aid WV or a lawyer.
Where to start
Your first step depends on the type of bill and how much time you have. Use the cards below to pick the best first call.
Heating bill or fuel
Check LIEAP and Emergency LIEAP first. If the regular period is closed, still ask when the next opening or crisis program may be available.
Shutoff notice
Call the utility, ask for a payment plan, then call 211 and DoHS. If you dispute the shutoff, call the PSC before service is cut.
Old balance
Ask about Dollar Energy Fund, company assistance, local charity help, and a written payment plan.
High bills every month
Ask about weatherization, heating system repair, budget billing, and lower-cost phone or internet programs.
If you also need rent, food, or household help, use ASMOM’s emergency help, housing help, and SNAP food help guides.
Quick help table
| Need | Best first step | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Heating bill, gas, electric heat, wood, oil, or propane | Apply through WV PATH or a DoHS office when LIEAP is open. | LIEAP is seasonal and can close when funds run out. |
| Emergency loss of heat | Ask DoHS about Emergency LIEAP and bring the shutoff notice or fuel proof. | Emergency LIEAP rules and openings change each season. |
| Power, gas, or water shutoff | Call the utility, 211, and any company hardship program. | A grant may not be enough if the balance is very high. |
| Water bill | Ask West Virginia American Water about assistance if it is your provider. | Water help depends on your water company and program funds. |
| High energy use | Ask about weatherization and repair programs. | There may be a waitlist, but the help can lower future bills. |
| Phone or internet | Check Lifeline and low-cost internet plans. | The federal ACP discount ended in 2024. |
Heating help through LIEAP
The Low Income Energy Assistance Program, often called LIEAP or LIHEAP, helps eligible West Virginia households with home heating costs. The payment may go to the utility company, the fuel vendor, or sometimes to the household, depending on the case.
Regular LIEAP is not open all year. For the 2026 season, DoHS announced that the regular application period closed on February 9, 2026 because funding was exhausted. The closure notice said applications already submitted or postmarked by that date would be processed.
Emergency LIEAP is a separate crisis part of the program. It may help when a household faces loss of a heating source and has no other resource to fix it. The official fact sheet says emergency help is limited, may require an in-person application, and can close without advance notice when funds are gone.
Who may qualify
Rules can change by year, but LIEAP usually looks at household income, household size, responsibility for heating costs, and whether the home has a heating emergency. You may need to show every household member’s name, birth date, Social Security number, income, and heating bill or fuel receipt.
If you are not sure whether your income is low enough, apply or ask DoHS. Do not assume you are over the limit just because you work, receive child support, or share housing.
How to apply
When the program is open, apply online through WV PATH, by paper form, or through a local DoHS office. If you have no heat, a shutoff notice, or almost no bulk fuel, call the office and ask whether you must apply in person for crisis help.
Utility discounts in West Virginia
West Virginia has some utility discount paths that are not the same as one-time bill help. A discount lowers part of the bill, while a grant helps pay a past-due amount.
| Program | What it may do | Where to ask |
|---|---|---|
| 20% electric or gas discount | May reduce eligible electric or gas bills during winter months. | Ask DoHS if your household receives SSI, WV WORKS, or qualifying SNAP for age 60 or older. |
| Water reduced rate | May reduce West Virginia American Water bills for eligible customers. | Check the 20% water discount. |
| WVAW low-income tariff | May help some WVAW customers who do not fit the other discount. | Check the low-income tariff. |
| Hope Gas discount | May lower current monthly Hope Gas charges for eligible customers. | Check the Hope Gas discount. |
If you get SNAP, WV WORKS, SSI, Medicaid, or another benefit, keep proof. It may help with utility discounts, phone discounts, weatherization, or local charity screening. ASMOM’s Medicaid help guide may also help if you need health coverage.
Company grants and payment programs
Some West Virginia utility companies work with Dollar Energy Fund or their own payment programs. These programs often have limited money and rules that change. They may require you to apply for LIEAP or Emergency LIEAP first when those programs are open.
Dollar Energy Fund
The Dollar Energy program may help eligible customers of participating electric, gas, and water companies. Grants are paid to the utility, not to you. Dollar Energy says funds are first come, first served and may close when funds are gone.
Dollar Energy is usually a fund of last resort. You may need to show a payment effort, a minimum balance, a shutoff notice or off-service status, and income within program rules. Use the Agency Finder to find a local intake agency.
Electric and gas company help
If you are an Appalachian Power customer, ask about Appalachian Power Neighbor to Neighbor help. If you are a Mon Power or Potomac Edison customer, check FirstEnergy help for payment options and assistance programs.
Always call the phone number on your bill too. Ask for a payment arrangement in writing. If you have a medical need in the home, ask whether the utility has a medical certification form and what it can and cannot stop.
Water help
West Virginia American Water customers may be able to use H2O help or other WVAW assistance. H2O grants are paid to the water account and may have limits, payment-effort rules, and balance rules.
Weatherization and heating or cooling repairs
If your bill is high every month, one-time bill help may not solve the full problem. Weatherization can make a home use less energy. This may include energy checks, air sealing, insulation, heating system work, or safety-related repairs, based on the home and program rules.
The West Virginia Community Advancement and Development Office funds local agencies for weatherization. The state says families with children, older adults, people with disabilities, and homes with high energy burden may receive priority. You can contact your local provider or apply through the listed online system.
The state also has a LIHEAP repair program for certain heating or cooling system problems. This program is not the same as regular bill help. It focuses on unsafe, broken, or missing heating or cooling systems and may require a child age 5 or under, an adult age 60 or older, or a diagnosed disability in the household.
For rural areas, transportation and provider coverage can be harder. ASMOM’s rural help guide may help you plan calls and backup options.
Phone and internet help
If a phone or internet bill is part of the problem, check Lifeline first. Lifeline can lower eligible phone or internet service by up to $9.25 per month, or up to $34.25 per month on qualifying Tribal lands. You may qualify by income or by programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension, or certain Tribal programs.
The federal Affordable Connectivity Program is not paying monthly discounts now. The FCC’s ACP status page says the program ended because Congress did not provide more funding. If a company or ad says ACP is still giving a new monthly discount, check before you share personal information.
You can also look for low-cost plans and compare them with the price your provider offers. ASMOM’s phone and internet help guide has more steps.
Documents checklist
Having papers ready can make each call shorter. Take photos of papers if you do not have a scanner. Keep originals when possible.
| Document or detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Utility bill and account number | Programs need to know the company, balance, and service address. |
| Shutoff notice or reconnect notice | Crisis programs often need proof that service is at risk or off. |
| Proof of income | Bring pay stubs, benefit letters, child support records, or zero-income forms if asked. |
| IDs and Social Security numbers | DoHS and some agencies may need information for each household member. |
| Lease or proof of address | Some programs need to confirm that you live at the service address. |
| Medical form, if needed | A utility may have special rules if a household member has a serious medical need. |
For a fuller list, use ASMOM’s documents checklist.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until the day of shutoff. Some programs cannot move fast enough in one day.
- Assuming closed means no help. Regular LIEAP may be closed, but crisis help, company funds, 211 referrals, or payment plans may still exist.
- Paying a scam fee. Real public benefit programs do not charge you to apply.
- Missing letters. Open all utility, DoHS, and agency mail right away.
- Ignoring the current bill. During a complaint or payment plan, you may still need to keep up with new charges.
If you are denied, delayed, or ignored
Ask for the reason in writing. If a document is missing, ask exactly what they need and the deadline. If you applied for LIEAP and disagree with a denial, payment amount, or delay, ask DoHS about fair hearing rights and deadlines.
If the problem is with the utility, first ask the company for a supervisor, payment plan, or written explanation. If that does not fix the issue, call the PSC before the shutoff if possible. Legal Aid WV explains that filing a PSC complaint before cutoff may help keep service on while the issue is reviewed, but you usually must keep paying current bills.
If benefits are delayed or closed, ASMOM’s benefits are denied guide can help you organize next steps.
Backup options if the bill cannot be paid today
When one program is closed or not enough, stack safe options. Call 211 and ask for local churches, county charities, Community Action agencies, and emergency funds that help with your exact utility company. Use ASMOM’s local resource guide, Community Action help, and charities that help pages to plan your calls.
If the bill is high because of unsafe housing, a broken furnace, bad windows, or a landlord issue, utility help may not be enough. Ask about repairs, weatherization, legal aid, and safer housing options. If you need basics for the home, ASMOM’s household help guide may help.
Phone scripts
Calling the utility
Hello, my name is [name]. I am calling about account [number]. I have a shutoff notice dated [date]. I can pay [amount] today or by [date]. Can you review payment plans, hardship funds, medical forms, and any hold options?
Calling DoHS
Hello, I am a West Virginia parent with a heating or utility emergency. Is LIEAP or Emergency LIEAP open right now? What documents do I need, and do I need to come in person?
Calling 211
Hello, I live in [county] and need help with [electric, gas, water, fuel, phone, or internet]. My shutoff date is [date]. Can you give me local agencies that still have funds and tell me what documents to bring?
Calling the PSC
Hello, I need help with a utility shutoff or payment-plan problem. I have already contacted the utility. Can I file an informal complaint, and what current payments do I need to keep making while it is reviewed?
Resumen en espanol
Si vive en West Virginia y no puede pagar la luz, gas, agua, calefaccion, telefono o internet, llame primero a la compania de servicios. Pida un plan de pago y pregunte si hay ayuda por dificultad economica.
Para calefaccion, revise LIEAP con DoHS. El programa regular de 2026 ya cerro por falta de fondos, pero puede preguntar por ayuda de emergencia o por la proxima fecha. Si tiene aviso de corte, llame a 211 y a DoHS lo antes posible.
Guarde su factura, aviso de corte, pruebas de ingresos, identificacion y numero de cuenta. Si cree que el corte no es correcto, llame al PSC de West Virginia o busque ayuda legal.
FAQ
Is regular LIEAP open right now in West Virginia?
As of May 20, 2026, the regular 2026 LIEAP application period was closed because funds were exhausted. Check the state LIEAP page or a local DoHS office for Emergency LIEAP or future openings.
What should I do first if I have a shutoff notice?
Call the utility right away, ask for a payment plan or hardship hold, then call WV 211 and your local DoHS office. If you dispute the shutoff or cannot get a fair payment plan, call the PSC before the shutoff if possible.
Can Dollar Energy pay my whole utility balance?
Not always. Dollar Energy grants have limits, income rules, payment-effort rules, and funding limits. If the grant is not enough to restore service or stop shutoff, you may need another payment or another agency.
Does West Virginia have utility discounts?
Yes, some eligible households may qualify for a 20% gas or electric discount in winter, water reduced-rate help, a Hope Gas discount, or other provider-specific help. Rules depend on your benefit status, provider, and program rules.
Where can I get phone or internet help?
Check Lifeline for a phone or internet discount. The federal ACP monthly discount ended in 2024, so compare low-cost plans and watch for scams that claim ACP is still open for new discounts.
What if LIEAP denies me or I miss the deadline?
Ask for the reason in writing. Ask DoHS about appeal or hearing rights if you disagree. Also call 211, your utility company, Dollar Energy Fund, local Community Action, and charities for other help.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 20, 2026, next review August 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.