{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/63.2-805.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/63.2-805.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/63.2-805.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/63.2-805.html"}],"law_id":55631,"edition_id":1,"section_id":55631,"structure_id":14332,"section_number":"63.2-805","catch_line":" Home Energy Assistance Program; report; survey","history":"2001, c. 676, \u00a7\u00a7 63.1-336, 63.1-337, 63.1-338, 63.1-339, 63.1-340, 63.1-341, 63.1-342, 63.1-343, 63.1-339; 2002, cc. 243, 747; 2007, c. 312; 2009, c. 127; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 532.","full_text":"A\n\nThe General Assembly declares that it is the policy of this Commonwealth to support the efforts of public agencies, private utility service providers, and charitable and community groups seeking to assist low-income Virginians in meeting their residential energy needs. To this end, the Department is designated as the state agency responsible for coordinating state efforts in this regard.B\n\nThere is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Home Energy Assistance Fund, hereinafter the “Fund.” Moneys in the Fund shall be used to:1\n\nSupplement the assistance provided through the Department’s administration of the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Block Grant; and2\n\nAssist the Commonwealth in maximizing the amount of federal funds available under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Weatherization Assistance Program by providing funds to comply with fund-matching requirements, and by means of leveraging in accordance with the rules set by the Home Energy Assistance Program.\n\t\t\t\tThe Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. The Fund shall consist of donations and contributions to the Fund and such moneys as shall be appropriated by the General Assembly. Interest earned on money in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes set forth in this section. The State Treasurer shall make expenditures and disbursements from the Fund on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Commissioner. Up to twelve percent of the Fund may be used to pay the Department’s expenses in administering the Home Energy Assistance Program.C\n\nThe Department shall establish and operate the Home Energy Assistance Program. In administering the Home Energy Assistance Program, it shall be the responsibility of the Department to:1\n\nAdminister distributions from the Fund;2\n\nLead and facilitate meetings with the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Department of Energy, and other agencies of the Commonwealth, as well as any nonstate programs that elect to participate in the Home Energy Assistance Program, for the purpose of sharing information directed at alleviating the seasonal energy needs of low-income Virginians, including needs for weatherization assistance services;3\n\nCollect and analyze data regarding the amounts of energy assistance provided through the Department, categorized by fuel type in order to identify the unmet need for energy assistance in the Commonwealth;4\n\nDevelop and maintain a statewide list of available private and governmental resources for low-income Virginians in need of energy assistance; and5\n\nReport annually to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before October 1 of each year through October 1, 2007, and biennially thereafter, on the effectiveness of low-income energy assistance programs in meeting the needs of low-income Virginians. In preparing the report, the Department shall:\n\t\t\t\ta. Conduct a survey biennially in each year that the report is due to the General Assembly that shall collect information regarding the extent to which the Commonwealth’s efforts in assisting low-income Virginians are adequate and are not duplicative of similar services provided by utility services providers, charitable organizations and local governments;\n\t\t\t\tb. Obtain information on energy programs in other states; and\n\t\t\t\tc. Obtain necessary information from the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Department of Energy, and other agencies of the Commonwealth, as well as any nonstate programs that elect to participate in the Home Energy Assistance Program, to complete the biennial survey and to compile the required report. The Department of Housing and Community Development, the Department of Energy, and other agencies of the Commonwealth, as well as any nonstate programs that elect to participate in the Home Energy Assistance Program, shall provide the necessary information to the Department.\n\t\t\t\tThe Department is authorized to assume responsibility for administering all or any portion of any private, voluntary low-income energy assistance program upon the application of the administrator thereof, on such terms as the Department and such administrator shall agree and in accordance with applicable law and regulations. If the Department assumes administrative responsibility for administering such a voluntary program, it is authorized to receive funds collected through such voluntary program and distribute them through the Fund.D\n\nLocal departments may, to the extent that funds are available, promote interagency cooperation at the local level by providing technical assistance, data collection and service delivery.E\n\nSubject to Board regulations and to the availability of state or private funds for low-income households in need of energy assistance, the Department is authorized to:1\n\nReceive state and private funds for such services; and2\n\nDisburse funds to state agencies, and vendors of energy services, to provide energy assistance programs for low-income households.F\n\nActions of the Department relating to the review, allocation and awarding of benefits and grants shall be exempt from the provisions of Article 3 (§ 2.2-4018 et seq.) and Article 4 (§ 2.2-4024 et seq.) of Chapter 40 of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).G\n\nNo employee or former employee of the Department shall divulge any information acquired by him in the performance of his duties with respect to the income or assistance eligibility of any individual or household obtained in the course of administering the Home Energy Assistance Program, except in accordance with proper judicial order. The provisions of this section shall not apply to (i) acts performed or words spoken or published in the line of duty under law; (ii) inquiries and investigations to obtain information as to the implementation of this chapter by a duly constituted committee of the General Assembly, or when such inquiry or investigation is relevant to its study, provided that any such information shall be privileged; or (iii) the publication of statistics so classified as to prevent the identification of any individual or household.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":203921,"text":"The General Assembly declares that it is the policy of this Commonwealth to support the efforts of public agencies, private utility service providers, and charitable and community groups seeking to assist low-income Virginians in meeting their residential energy needs. To this end, the Department is designated as the state agency responsible for coordinating state efforts in this regard.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":203922,"text":"There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Home Energy Assistance Fund, hereinafter the “Fund.” Moneys in the Fund shall be used to:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":203923,"text":"Supplement the assistance provided through the Department’s administration of the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Block Grant; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":203924,"text":"Assist the Commonwealth in maximizing the amount of federal funds available under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Weatherization Assistance Program by providing funds to comply with fund-matching requirements, and by means of leveraging in accordance with the rules set by the Home Energy Assistance Program.\n\t\t\t\tThe Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. The Fund shall consist of donations and contributions to the Fund and such moneys as shall be appropriated by the General Assembly. Interest earned on money in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes set forth in this section. The State Treasurer shall make expenditures and disbursements from the Fund on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Commissioner. Up to twelve percent of the Fund may be used to pay the Department’s expenses in administering the Home Energy Assistance Program.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"C"},"4":{"id":203925,"text":"The Department shall establish and operate the Home Energy Assistance Program. In administering the Home Energy Assistance Program, it shall be the responsibility of the Department to:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"C1"},"5":{"id":203926,"text":"Administer distributions from the Fund;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"6":{"id":203927,"text":"Lead and facilitate meetings with the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Department of Energy, and other agencies of the Commonwealth, as well as any nonstate programs that elect to participate in the Home Energy Assistance Program, for the purpose of sharing information directed at alleviating the seasonal energy needs of low-income Virginians, including needs for weatherization assistance services;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"C3"},"7":{"id":203928,"text":"Collect and analyze data regarding the amounts of energy assistance provided through the Department, categorized by fuel type in order to identify the unmet need for energy assistance in the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"C3","prefix_anchor":"C3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"C4"},"8":{"id":203929,"text":"Develop and maintain a statewide list of available private and governmental resources for low-income Virginians in need of energy assistance; and","type":"section","prefixes":["C","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"C4","prefix_anchor":"C4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C3","next_prefix":"C5"},"9":{"id":203930,"text":"Report annually to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before October 1 of each year through October 1, 2007, and biennially thereafter, on the effectiveness of low-income energy assistance programs in meeting the needs of low-income Virginians. In preparing the report, the Department shall:\n\t\t\t\ta. Conduct a survey biennially in each year that the report is due to the General Assembly that shall collect information regarding the extent to which the Commonwealth’s efforts in assisting low-income Virginians are adequate and are not duplicative of similar services provided by utility services providers, charitable organizations and local governments;\n\t\t\t\tb. Obtain information on energy programs in other states; and\n\t\t\t\tc. Obtain necessary information from the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Department of Energy, and other agencies of the Commonwealth, as well as any nonstate programs that elect to participate in the Home Energy Assistance Program, to complete the biennial survey and to compile the required report. The Department of Housing and Community Development, the Department of Energy, and other agencies of the Commonwealth, as well as any nonstate programs that elect to participate in the Home Energy Assistance Program, shall provide the necessary information to the Department.\n\t\t\t\tThe Department is authorized to assume responsibility for administering all or any portion of any private, voluntary low-income energy assistance program upon the application of the administrator thereof, on such terms as the Department and such administrator shall agree and in accordance with applicable law and regulations. If the Department assumes administrative responsibility for administering such a voluntary program, it is authorized to receive funds collected through such voluntary program and distribute them through the Fund.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"C5","prefix_anchor":"C5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C4","next_prefix":"D"},"10":{"id":203931,"text":"Local departments may, to the extent that funds are available, promote interagency cooperation at the local level by providing technical assistance, data collection and service delivery.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C5","next_prefix":"E"},"11":{"id":203932,"text":"Subject to Board regulations and to the availability of state or private funds for low-income households in need of energy assistance, the Department is authorized to:","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"E1"},"12":{"id":203933,"text":"Receive state and private funds for such services; and","type":"section","prefixes":["E","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"E1","prefix_anchor":"E1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"E2"},"13":{"id":203934,"text":"Disburse funds to state agencies, and vendors of energy services, to provide energy assistance programs for low-income households.","type":"section","prefixes":["E","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"E2","prefix_anchor":"E2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"E1","next_prefix":"F"},"14":{"id":203935,"text":"Actions of the Department relating to the review, allocation and awarding of benefits and grants shall be exempt from the provisions of Article 3 (§ 2.2-4018 et seq.) and Article 4 (§ 2.2-4024 et seq.) of Chapter 40 of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E2","next_prefix":"G"},"15":{"id":203936,"text":"No employee or former employee of the Department shall divulge any information acquired by him in the performance of his duties with respect to the income or assistance eligibility of any individual or household obtained in the course of administering the Home Energy Assistance Program, except in accordance with proper judicial order. The provisions of this section shall not apply to (i) acts performed or words spoken or published in the line of duty under law; (ii) inquiries and investigations to obtain information as to the implementation of this chapter by a duly constituted committee of the General Assembly, or when such inquiry or investigation is relevant to its study, provided that any such information shall be privileged; or (iii) the publication of statistics so classified as to prevent the identification of any individual or household.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14332,"edition_id":1,"name":"Other Grants of Public Assistance","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14331,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:46","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:46","permalink":{"id":271301,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14332,"identifier":"8","token":"63.2\/II\/8","url":"\/63.2\/II\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14331,"edition_id":1,"name":"Public Assistance","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12789,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:46","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:46","permalink":{"id":271055,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14331,"identifier":"II","token":"63.2\/II","url":"\/63.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12789,"edition_id":1,"name":"Welfare (Social Services)","identifier":"63.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":270661,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12789,"identifier":"63.2","token":"63.2","url":"\/63.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":85913,"structure_id":14332,"section_number":"63.2-800","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/63.2-800\/","token":"63.2\/II\/8\/63.2-800","metadata":false},{"id":65850,"structure_id":14332,"section_number":"63.2-801","catch_line":"SNAP benefits program","url":"\/63.2-801\/","token":"63.2\/II\/8\/63.2-801","metadata":false},{"id":83853,"structure_id":14332,"section_number":"63.2-802","catch_line":"Eligibility for general relief","url":"\/63.2-802\/","token":"63.2\/II\/8\/63.2-802","metadata":false},{"id":81295,"structure_id":14332,"section_number":"63.2-803","catch_line":"Payment for legal services in claims for Supplemental Security Income","url":"\/63.2-803\/","token":"63.2\/II\/8\/63.2-803","metadata":false},{"id":62222,"structure_id":14332,"section_number":"63.2-804","catch_line":"Eligibility to receive convict-made dentures","url":"\/63.2-804\/","token":"63.2\/II\/8\/63.2-804","metadata":false},{"id":55631,"structure_id":14332,"section_number":"63.2-805","catch_line":" Home Energy Assistance Program; report; survey","url":"\/63.2-805\/","token":"63.2\/II\/8\/63.2-805","metadata":false},{"id":83111,"structure_id":14332,"section_number":"63.2-806","catch_line":"Unaccompanied homeless youths; services; consent","url":"\/63.2-806\/","token":"63.2\/II\/8\/63.2-806","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":62222,"structure_id":14332,"section_number":"63.2-804","catch_line":"Eligibility to receive convict-made dentures","url":"\/63.2-804\/","token":"63.2\/II\/8\/63.2-804","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":83111,"structure_id":14332,"section_number":"63.2-806","catch_line":"Unaccompanied homeless youths; services; consent","url":"\/63.2-806\/","token":"63.2\/II\/8\/63.2-806","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/63.2-805\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2001. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 676<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2002, chapters 243<\/a> and 747<\/a>; in 2007, chapter 312<\/a>; in 2009, chapter 127<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":76170,"section_number":"15.2-2121.3","catch_line":"Notice procedures for nonpayment; disconnecting utility service","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-2121.3\/"},{"id":86241,"section_number":"56-245.1:4","catch_line":"Notice procedures for nonpayment; disconnecting utility service","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-245.1_4\/"},{"id":76366,"section_number":"58.1-344.3","catch_line":"Voluntary contributions of refunds requirements","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-344.3\/"},{"id":72379,"section_number":"63.2-100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-100\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":86911,"section_number":"2.2-4000","catch_line":"Short title; purpose","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-4000\/"},{"id":59227,"section_number":"2.2-4018","catch_line":"Exemptions from operation of Article 3","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-4018\/"},{"id":57586,"section_number":"2.2-4024","catch_line":"Hearing officers","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-4024\/"}],"permalink":{"id":271323,"object_type":"law","relational_id":55631,"identifier":"63.2-805","token":"63.2\/II\/8\/63.2-805","url":"\/63.2-805\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/63.2-805\/","token":"63.2\/II\/8\/63.2-805","dublin_core":{"Title":" Home Energy Assistance Program; report; survey","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 63.2-805","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The General Assembly declares that it is the policy of this Commonwealth to support the efforts of public agencies, private utility service providers, and charitable and community groups seeking to assist low-income Virginians in meeting their residential energy needs. To this end, the Department<\/span> is designated as the state agency responsible for coordinating state efforts in this regard. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Home Energy Assistance<\/span> Fund, hereinafter the “Fund.” Moneys in the Fund shall be used to: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Supplement the assistance provided through the Department<\/span>’s administration of the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance<\/span> Program Block Grant; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Assist the Commonwealth in maximizing the amount of federal funds available under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance<\/span> Program and the Weatherization Assistance Program by providing funds to comply with fund-matching requirements, and by means of leveraging in accordance with the rules set by the Home Energy Assistance<\/span> Program.\n\t\t\t\tThe Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. The Fund shall consist of donations and contributions to the Fund and such moneys as shall be appropriated by the General Assembly. Interest earned on money in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes set forth in this section. The State Treasurer shall make expenditures and disbursements from the Fund on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Commissioner<\/span>. Up to twelve percent of the Fund may be used to pay the Department<\/span>’s expenses in administering the Home Energy Assistance<\/span> Program. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The Department<\/span> shall establish and operate the Home Energy Assistance<\/span> Program. In administering the Home Energy Assistance<\/span> Program, it shall be the responsibility of the Department<\/span> to: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Administer distributions from the Fund; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Lead and facilitate meetings with the Department<\/span> of Housing and Community Development, the Department<\/span> of Energy, and other agencies of the Commonwealth, as well as any nonstate programs that elect to participate in the Home Energy Assistance<\/span> Program, for the purpose of sharing information directed at alleviating the seasonal energy needs of low-income Virginians, including needs for weatherization assistance services; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Collect and analyze data regarding the amounts of energy assistance<\/span> provided through the Department<\/span>, categorized by fuel type in order<\/span> to identify the unmet need for energy assistance<\/span> in the Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Develop and maintain a statewide list of available private and governmental resources for low-income Virginians in need of energy assistance<\/span>; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Report annually to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before October 1 of each year through October 1, 2007, and biennially thereafter, on the effectiveness of low-income energy assistance<\/span> programs in meeting the needs of low-income Virginians. In preparing the report, the Department<\/span> shall:\n\t\t\t\ta. Conduct a survey biennially in each year that the report is due to the General Assembly that shall collect information regarding the extent to which the Commonwealth’s efforts in assisting low-income Virginians are adequate and are not duplicative of similar services provided by utility services providers, charitable organizations and local governments;\n\t\t\t\tb. Obtain information on energy programs in other states; and\n\t\t\t\tc. Obtain necessary information from the Department<\/span> of Housing and Community Development, the Department<\/span> of Energy, and other agencies of the Commonwealth, as well as any nonstate programs that elect to participate in the Home Energy Assistance<\/span> Program, to complete the biennial survey and to compile the required report. The Department<\/span> of Housing and Community Development, the Department<\/span> of Energy, and other agencies of the Commonwealth, as well as any nonstate programs that elect to participate in the Home Energy Assistance<\/span> Program, shall provide the necessary information to the Department<\/span>.\n\t\t\t\tThe Department<\/span> is authorized to assume responsibility for administering all or any portion of any private, voluntary low-income energy assistance<\/span> program upon the application of the administrator thereof, on such terms as the Department<\/span> and such administrator shall agree and in accordance with applicable law<\/span> and regulations. If the Department<\/span> assumes administrative responsibility for administering such a voluntary program, it is authorized to receive funds collected through such voluntary program and distribute them through the Fund. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Local departments<\/span> may, to the extent that funds are available, promote interagency cooperation at the local level by providing technical assistance, data collection and service delivery. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Subject to Board<\/span> regulations and to the availability of state or private funds for low-income households in need of energy assistance<\/span>, the Department<\/span> is authorized to: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Receive state and private funds for such services; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Disburse funds to state agencies, and vendors of energy services, to provide energy assistance<\/span> programs for low-income households. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Actions of the Department<\/span> relating to the review, allocation and awarding of benefits and grants shall be exempt from the provisions of Article 3 (§ 2.2-4018<\/a> et seq.) and Article 4 (§ 2.2-4024<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 40 of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000<\/a> et seq.). <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> No employee or former employee of the Department<\/span> shall divulge any information acquired by him in the performance of his duties with respect to the income or assistance eligibility of any individual or household obtained in the course of administering the Home Energy Assistance<\/span> Program, except in accordance with proper judicial order<\/span>. The provisions of this section shall not apply to (i) acts performed or words spoken or published in the line of duty under law<\/span>; (ii) inquiries and investigations to obtain information as to the implementation of this chapter by a duly constituted committee of the General Assembly, or when such inquiry or investigation is relevant to its study, provided that any such information shall be privileged; or (iii) the publication of statistics so classified as to prevent the identification of any individual or household. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; REPORT; SURVEY (\u00a7 63.2-805)\n\nA. The General Assembly declares that it is the policy of this Commonwealth to\nsupport the efforts of public agencies, private utility service providers, and\ncharitable and community groups seeking to assist low-income Virginians in\nmeeting their residential energy needs. To this end, the Department is\ndesignated as the state agency responsible for coordinating state efforts in\nthis regard.\n\nB. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to\nbe known as the Home Energy Assistance Fund, hereinafter the “Fund.”\nMoneys in the Fund shall be used to:\n\n 1. Supplement the assistance provided through the Department’s\n administration of the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Block\n Grant; and\n\n 2. Assist the Commonwealth in maximizing the amount of federal funds available\n under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Weatherization\n Assistance Program by providing funds to comply with fund-matching\n requirements, and by means of leveraging in accordance with the rules set by\n the Home Energy Assistance Program.\n \t\t\t\tThe Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. The Fund\n shall consist of donations and contributions to the Fund and such moneys as\n shall be appropriated by the General Assembly. Interest earned on money in the\n Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in\n the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not\n revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund\n shall be used solely for the purposes set forth in this section. The State\n Treasurer shall make expenditures and disbursements from the Fund on warrants\n issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Commissioner. Up\n to twelve percent of the Fund may be used to pay the Department’s\n expenses in administering the Home Energy Assistance Program.\n\nC. The Department shall establish and operate the Home Energy Assistance\nProgram. In administering the Home Energy Assistance Program, it shall be the\nresponsibility of the Department to:\n\n 1. Administer distributions from the Fund;\n\n 2. Lead and facilitate meetings with the Department of Housing and Community\n Development, the Department of Energy, and other agencies of the Commonwealth,\n as well as any nonstate programs that elect to participate in the Home Energy\n Assistance Program, for the purpose of sharing information directed at\n alleviating the seasonal energy needs of low-income Virginians, including\n needs for weatherization assistance services;\n\n 3. Collect and analyze data regarding the amounts of energy assistance\n provided through the Department, categorized by fuel type in order to identify\n the unmet need for energy assistance in the Commonwealth;\n\n 4. Develop and maintain a statewide list of available private and governmental\n resources for low-income Virginians in need of energy assistance; and\n\n 5. Report annually to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before\n October 1 of each year through October 1, 2007, and biennially thereafter, on\n the effectiveness of low-income energy assistance programs in meeting the\n needs of low-income Virginians. In preparing the report, the Department shall:\n \t\t\t\ta. Conduct a survey biennially in each year that the report is due to the\n General Assembly that shall collect information regarding the extent to which\n the Commonwealth’s efforts in assisting low-income Virginians are\n adequate and are not duplicative of similar services provided by utility\n services providers, charitable organizations and local governments;\n \t\t\t\tb. Obtain information on energy programs in other states; and\n \t\t\t\tc. Obtain necessary information from the Department of Housing and\n Community Development, the Department of Energy, and other agencies of the\n Commonwealth, as well as any nonstate programs that elect to participate in\n the Home Energy Assistance Program, to complete the biennial survey and to\n compile the required report. The Department of Housing and Community\n Development, the Department of Energy, and other agencies of the Commonwealth,\n as well as any nonstate programs that elect to participate in the Home Energy\n Assistance Program, shall provide the necessary information to the Department.\n \t\t\t\tThe Department is authorized to assume responsibility for administering\n all or any portion of any private, voluntary low-income energy assistance\n program upon the application of the administrator thereof, on such terms as\n the Department and such administrator shall agree and in accordance with\n applicable law and regulations. If the Department assumes administrative\n responsibility for administering such a voluntary program, it is authorized to\n receive funds collected through such voluntary program and distribute them\n through the Fund.\n\nD. Local departments may, to the extent that funds are available, promote\ninteragency cooperation at the local level by providing technical assistance,\ndata collection and service delivery.\n\nE. Subject to Board regulations and to the availability of state or private\nfunds for low-income households in need of energy assistance, the Department is\nauthorized to:\n\n 1. Receive state and private funds for such services; and\n\n 2. Disburse funds to state agencies, and vendors of energy services, to\n provide energy assistance programs for low-income households.\n\nF. Actions of the Department relating to the review, allocation and awarding of\nbenefits and grants shall be exempt from the provisions of Article 3 (§\n2.2-4018 et seq.) and Article 4 (§ 2.2-4024 et seq.) of Chapter 40 of the\nAdministrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).\n\nG. No employee or former employee of the Department shall divulge any\ninformation acquired by him in the performance of his duties with respect to the\nincome or assistance eligibility of any individual or household obtained in the\ncourse of administering the Home Energy Assistance Program, except in accordance\nwith proper judicial order. The provisions of this section shall not apply to\n(i) acts performed or words spoken or published in the line of duty under law;\n(ii) inquiries and investigations to obtain information as to the implementation\nof this chapter by a duly constituted committee of the General Assembly, or when\nsuch inquiry or investigation is relevant to its study, provided that any such\ninformation shall be privileged; or (iii) the publication of statistics so\nclassified as to prevent the identification of any individual or household.\n\nHISTORY: 2001, c. 676, \u00a7\u00a7 63.1-336, 63.1-337, 63.1-338, 63.1-339, 63.1-340,\n63.1-341, 63.1-342, 63.1-343, 63.1-339; 2002, cc. 243, 747; 2007, c. 312; 2009,\nc. 127; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 532.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}