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Press Releases

VDSS envisions a Commonwealth in which all Virginians have the resources and services they need to shape strong futures for themselves, their families and their communities. To view the latest news, information and announcements that highlight our work, please click the links below.

Spanish Press Releases
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January 2024 2024.01.99

VDSS Headquarters Relocates to New Innsbrook Location


This month, the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) will begin relocating its headquarters from downtown Richmond to its new location at 5600 Cox Road in Glen Allen, VA.

2024.01.17
October 2023 2023.10.99

Application Period for Fuel Assistance Now Open


The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is currently accepting applications for fuel assistance online and at all local departments of social services through Monday, November 13, 2023.

2023.10.30
September 2023 2023.09.99

New Survey Provides Insight into How Virginians Volunteer and Participate in Their Communities


Serve Virginia, the lead agency of the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) for community service and volunteerism, is proud to announce the release of the inaugural Virginia Community Engagement Index (VCEI).

2023.09.26
August 2023 2023.08.99

Virginia Recognizes Top Ten Hospitals for Stellar Paternity Establishment Rates


The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) in conjunction with the Virginia Paternity Establishment Program (VPEP) has announced the top ten Virginia hospitals recognized for excellent performances in paternity establishment rates for 2022.

2023.08.22
July 2023 2023.07.99

Virginia Receives Federal Approval to Replace SNAP Benefits for Victims of Fraud


The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) was approved by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service to replace certain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits stolen from clients’ Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards beginning July 17, 2023.

2023.07.10

Cooling Assistance Application Period Underway


The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) will provide cooling assistance to qualifying households this year through the Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP).

2023.07.05
June 2023 2023.06.99

Summer P-EBT Benefits Will Be Issued to School-Age Children in Virginia


The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) will issue Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) program benefits of $120 to households with eligible children in grades K-12 beginning July 22, 2023.

2023.06.01
May 2023 2023.05.99

Serve Virginia Recognizes Volunteers Statewide in Inaugural Honor Roll Celebration


The Serve Virginia Honor Roll, released May, 31, 2023, celebrates the valuable contributions of more than 2.2 million volunteers across the Commonwealth.

2023.05.31

Governor Glenn Youngkin and VDSS Celebrate Successful First Year of Modernized Foster Parent Onboarding Process


Governor Glenn Youngkin and the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) proudly celebrate the successful first year rollout of its Faster Families Highway,a new digital resource launched in April 2022 to strengthen statewide partnerships and streamline the pathway to becoming a foster parent.

2023.05.12
March 2023 2023.03.99

Temporary Benefits for Several Virginia Assistance Programs Will End Soon


Several medical, food and financial assistance flexibilities and programs administered by the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) and the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) are set to expire due to recent changes in federal legislation.

2023.03.06
January 2023 2023.01.99

SNAP Emergency Allotments Will End in February


The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) will release the final issuance of emergency allotment benefits to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households in February, in accordance with the requirements of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023.

2023.01.26

Emergency Allotments Will Continue for SNAP Households in January


Virginia’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has received federal approval to release emergency benefits to eligible households in January.

2023.01.05
December 2022 2022.12.99

Emergency Allotments Will Continue for SNAP Households in December


Virginia’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has received federal approval to release emergency benefits to eligible households in December.

2022.12.06
November 2022 2022.11.99

Updated: Application Period for Fuel Assistance Now Open


The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is currently accepting applications for fuel assistance online and at all local departments of social services through Monday, November 14, 2022.

2022.11.09

Emergency Allotments Will Continue for SNAP Households in November


Virginia’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has received federal approval to release emergency benefits to eligible households in November.

2022.11.04

DOLP Receives Second Infection Prevention and Control Grant


The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) Division of Licensing Programs (DOLP) was recently awarded $1.35 million in grant funding by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to provide essential infection prevention and control support to licensed adult care facilities.

2022.11.01

DCSE Receives Grant to Help Domestic Violence Survivors Safely Gain Access to Child Support


The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) has been awarded a Safe Access for Victims’ Economic Security (SAVES) grant by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to implement comprehensive, expert-informed domestic violence services to survivors who are in need of child support.

2022.11.01
October 2022 2022.10.99

Application Period for Fuel Assistance Now Open


The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is currently accepting applications for fuel assistance online and at all local departments of social services through Friday, November 11.

2022.10.28

Emergency Allotments Will Continue for SNAP Households in October


Virginia’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has received federal approval to release emergency benefits to eligible households in August.

2022.10.28
September 2022 2022.09.99

Emergency Allotments Will Continue for SNAP Households in September


Virginia’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has received federal approval to release emergency benefits to eligible households in August.

2022.09.13

Update Regarding Summer P-EBT Issuance Delays


In response to unforeseen delays in the release of Summer 2022 Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits to eligible households statewide.

2022.09.12
August 2022 2022.08.99

VDSS to Release Summer P-EBT Benefits August 25


Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) has received federal approval to issue retroactive Summer P-EBT benefits to eligible K-12 students.

2022.08.23

Emergency Allotments Will Continue for SNAP Households in August


Virginia’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has received federal approval to release emergency benefits to eligible households in August.

2022.08.05

Virginia Recognizes Top Ten Hospitals for Stellar Paternity Establishment Rates


Each year, the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), in conjunction with Veritas HHS and the Virginia Paternity Establishment Program (VPEP), recognizes the top ten Virginia hospitals with the highest rates of paternity establishment.

2022.08.04

Cooling Assistance Application Period Underway


The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) will provide cooling assistance to qualifying households this year through the Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP).

2022.08.02
July 2022 2022.07.99

Emergency Allotments Will Continue for SNAP Households in July


Virginia’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will again release emergency allotments of benefits to eligible households this month.

2022.07.05
June 2022 2022.06.99

Emergency Allotments Will Continue for SNAP Households in June


Virginia’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will again release emergency allotments of benefits to eligible households this month.

2022.06.07
May 2022 2022.05.99

Virginia’s P-EBT Program to Issue Benefits to Limited Households


Virginia’s Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program will issue benefits for the 2021-2022 school year to students for specific COVID-related absences under revised eligibility requirements, as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture.

2022.05.24

Emergency Allotments Will Continue for SNAP Households in May


Virginia’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will again release emergency allotments of benefits to eligible households this month.

2022.05.05
April 2022 2022.04.99

Emergency Allotments Will Continue for SNAP Households in April


Virginia’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will again release emergency allotments of benefits to eligible households this month.

2022.04.07
March 2022 2022.03.99

Emergency Allotments Will Continue for SNAP Households in March


Virginia’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will again release emergency allotments of benefits to eligible households this month.

2022.03.04
February 2022 2022.02.99

Emergency Allotments Will Continue for SNAP Households in February


Virginia’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will again release emergency allotments of benefits to eligible households this month.

2022.02.09
January 2022 2022.01.99

Emergency Allotments Will Continue for SNAP Households in January


Virginia’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will again release emergency allotments of benefits to eligible households this month.

2022.01.05
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