

How to Access Public Assistance Programs
CommonHelp
• Screen for potential eligibility of benefits and apply for benefits
online at https://commonhelp.virginia.gov/access/.
Through the CommonHelp portal, you can do the following:
* Screen to see if you may be eligible for benefits.
* Apply for SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, Energy Assistance, and Child Care
online.
* Report changes to your worker online.
* Complete your renewals online.
Telephone
Medicaid: If you are only interested in applying for
Medical Assistance and your application includes a parent, child and/or
pregnant woman, you can also apply by telephone by calling Cover Virginia
at 1-855-242-8282.
SNAP-TANF-Energy- Medicaid: If you are interested in
applying for additional programs call 1-855-635-4370
• Interviews can often be completed by phone. We recommend that
you call for an appointment, if you would like to apply in person at the
office.
• Walk-in interviews Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Drop-off completed applications Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m.
– 5:00 p.m.
• Most programs require an interview. Some interviews can be completed
by telephone.
• We screen daily for emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program.
You may come in and pick up an application and complete it in the office,
or you may call (804) 785-5977 or (804) 769-5003 and request that an application
be sent to you.
Description of Benefit Programs Available
Energy Assistance
Fuel Assistance:
This primarily provides assistance with purchasing home heating fuel and
paying primary heat utility bills.
Crisis Assistance:
This is intended to meet a household’s emergency heating need. Assistance
offered includes one-time only heat security deposit, portable heater
for temporary use, purchase of home heating fuel, payment of heat utility
bill, payment for emergency shelter, and/or heating equipment repair/purchase.
Cooling Assistance:
This provides purchase or repair of cooling equipment and/or payment for
electricity to operate cooling equipment.
Childcare
Assistance
The childcare program provides a subsidy payment to a licensed childcare
provider to assist parents with childcare expenses while they work.
Temporary
Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
Provides time limited cash assistance to families in which a minor child
is dependent because of lack of parental support due to death, disability,
and absence from home or unemployment. The child must be under age 18
plus living with a parent or relative. Eligible persons receive Medicaid.
Participants are subject to Employment Services Participation and there
are income and resource limits.
Auxiliary
Grant for Aged and/or Disabled
An Auxiliary Grant is a supplement to income for recipients of Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) and certain other aged, blind, or disabled individuals
residing in a licensed assisted living facility or an approved adult foster
care home.
General
Relief
Provides cash assistance to non-relative adults providing a stable home
for a child. This is a temporary program.
Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program "SNAP"
The program has income and resource limits. Approved recipients are provided
with an Electronic Benefit Transaction Card to purchase food.
Medicaid
Pays health and medical care costs for certain groups of people who have
low income and limited resources.
For additional information
on programs, please visit the website for the Virginia Department of Social
Services at http://www.dss.virginia.gov/
In accordance
with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution
is prohibited from discrimination for race, color, national origin, religion,
sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation,
disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived
from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or retaliation
for prior civil rights activity.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program
Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html,
and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide
in the letter all of the information requested in th e form. To request
a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed
form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S.
Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil
Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202)
690-7442; or
(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution
is an equal opportunity provider
To file a complaint
of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights. 1400
Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington D.C., 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272
(voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider
and employer.
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