The Energy Assistance Program assists low-income households that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy. The program consists of three components: Fuel Assistance, Crisis Assistance and Cooling Assistance.

The Fuel Assistance component helps eligible households with the costs of heating their homes. To be eligible for Fuel Assistance, there are certain income guidelines, resource maximums and living arrangements that must be met. The household must also be responsible for paying the heating bill. Fuel Assistance applications are accepted from the second Tuesday in October through the second Friday in November. Applicants receive notice of their eligibility determination by mid-December.

The Crisis Assistance component helps eligible households in emergency energy situations that cannot be met by Fuel Assistance or other resources. Crisis applications are accepted from November 1 through March 15. All crisis assistance is based on availability of funds.

The Cooling Assistance component helps eligible households with the costs of cooling their homes. To be eligible for Cooling Assistance, there are certain income guidelines, need, and there must be an elderly person, person with a disability or a child under 6 living in the home. Cooling applications are accepted from June 15 through August 15. All crisis assistance is based on availability of funds. .

The Food Stamp program is designed to promote better nutrition for low-income families by increasing their food purchasing power. If you live in Culpeper County, you would apply at our office.

Each application is screened for entitlement to emergency service. If your application is screened as an emergency, eligibility will be determined within seven days. Regular processing is thirty days from the date of application.

Eligibility for Food Stamps and the amount of the allotment varies according to the number of eligible household members, income, resources, deductions, and other eligibility factors. Food Stamp allotments are based on the date that the agency receives your application. If you think you may be eligible, you should file your application immediately.

The Medicaid program helps certain groups of low-income people with payments for health and medical care. The local Social Service agency in the county where you live takes applications and determines eligibility. The Department of Medical Assistance Services pays the bills to providers.

Medicaid is divided into three basic programs: Families and Children; Aged, Blind and Disabled; and Long Term Care.

Medicaid is different from Medicare. Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people who are age 65 or older or disabled. It is administered by the Social Security Administration.

FAMIS is a Health Insurance Program for uninsured children under age 19. You may request FAMIS by calling the FAMIS Central Operation Center, at 1-866- 87FAMIS, or by submitting the FAMIS/Medicaid application to your local Social Service Department. Additional information about Medicaid, FAMIS, and Medicare may be found at www.famis.org