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  Programs and Services for Financial Assistance  
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At some point in our lives, we or someone we know - our friends, family members or loved ones - may face a hardship or illness that requires the need for financial assistance. The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) provides a variety of financial assistance programs to eligible residents of Virginia.

Programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), food stamps, Medicaid and others are managed and implemented by VDSS, and administered through 120 local departments of social services that serve citizens throughout the state.

Financial Assistance Programs

The following list represents the types of financial assistance provided by VDSS:

  • Auxiliary grants
  • Child care
  • Disaster assistance
  • Energy assistance (fuel, crisis, cooling, weatherization)
  • Food stamps
  • General relief
  • Medical assistance (Medicaid or FAMIS)
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  • Caregivers grants

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet certain general eligibility requirements to receive such services as food stamps, cash, medical, or energy assistance and help with child care expenses. These general requirements include:

  • You must live in Virginia
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or meet certain requirements if you are an immigrant
  • You must apply at the agency serving the city or county in which you live
  • You must meet the specific requirements of each program for which you are applying

Before it can be determined whether you are eligible, much of the information you give must be verified. Eligibility and the amount of benefits will be based on your income, resources and number of people for whom you are applying, and for some programs, certain household expenses.

You will be notified in writing by your local department of social services as soon as a decision about your application has been made. This notice will tell you whether you are eligible, and if eligible, what your benefits will be. If you are applying for financial or medical assistance, you must apply for any other benefits to which you may be entitled, such as Social Security, Worker's Compensation, Unemployment Compensation, Veteran's Benefits or retirement pensions.

Am I eligible?

You may use our online eligibility screening (see flier for additional information) to help determine whether you may be eligible for benefits. Please note, however, that the final decision regarding eligibility must be made by an eligibility worker at your local department of social services.

How to apply

You may apply for assistance by completing the appropriate application and mailing it to your local department of social services. You also pick up an application any time during office hours or you can ask your local department of social services to mail an application to you. You may need to be interviewed by an eligibility worker, depending on the type of assistance you are requesting.

Confidentiality

All information you provide is confidential and may only be given to persons directly connected with administering or enforcing provisions of the programs for which you applied, other federal assistance programs, or programs that assist low-income individuals. Information also be disclosed to:

  • Law enforcement officials for the purpose of investigating program violations
  • The Division of Child Support Enforcement to help locate absent parents
  • Persons connected with verifying status of immigrants
  • Employees of the Comptroller General's Office of the United States for audit examination authorized by law
  • Law enforcement officials if you are a fugitive felon and receiving TANF or food stamp benefits
  • Agencies providing employment-related services for TANF recipients.

You, or a responsible member of your household, or a person acting in your household's behalf, shall be allowed to review material and information contained in your case record during the agency's normal business hours. The agency may withhold certain confidential information, however, such as the names of individuals who have given information about your household without the household's knowledge, confidential medical information, or information about the nature or status of pending criminal prosecutions. Program regulations and manuals are available for you to examine or review during the agency's normal business hours.

Time standards

With some exceptions, action on applications must be made within:

  • 45 days of application for medical assistance
  • 30 days of application for food stamps and financial assistance (seven days if the household qualifies for expedited services)


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