Need utility bill help?
If you are struggling to pay your heating bill, the Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF) may be able to assist you and your family. The Salvation Army typically provides heating assistance through its 12 offices located throughout the DMV.
WAFF is here for the DMV.
For 2025, applications are being accepted from Jan. 21-May 31 at your local office. You can also apply online at https://sahelp.me/.
Eligibility Guidelines
- Income and family size are the primary tests of eligibility for WAFF assistance, but they are not the only ones. Income guidelines are revised annually to reflect cost-of-living increases.
- If you are a gas or electric heating customer, you must already have received a termination notice or warning of future disconnection from the utility providing the primary source of heat. WAFF pays for the primary heating source.
- You must live in the District of Columbia; in Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George’s or St. Mary’s counties in Maryland; or in Arlington, Clarke, Fairfax, Frederick, Loudoun, Prince William, Shenandoah and Warren counties, or the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church and Winchester in Virginia. You must apply to The Salvation Army office in the city or county in which you live.
- Your eligibility does not depend on your fuel source: natural gas, electricity, oil, coal, wood, kerosene or another heating fuel.
- To be eligible, you must be in an emergency situation and no longer eligible for any government energy assistance programs.
- If you heat with oil, coal, wood, kerosene or another fuel, you must demonstrate that you do not have the funds to purchase fuel and cannot buy fuel on credit.
| Household Size | Household Annual Gross Income |
| 1 | $86,650 |
| 2 | $99,000 |
| 3 | $111,400 |
| 4 | $123,750 |
| 5 | $133,650 |
| 6 | $143,550 |
| 7 | $153,450 |
| 8 | $163,350 |