Cash Assistance Programs in Virginia

Cash assistance has been helping needy Americans for years. Cash Assistance programs can be traced back to the 1930s during the Great Depression when the Federal Government saw it fit to aid state governments after the program started to collapse following the Great Depression.
These programs help low-income families and individuals meet their basic needs. In Virginia, they provide temporary financial assistance to people who cannot afford basic necessities. Here’s a guide to help you know what cash assistance options are available in Virginia and how you can get them.

What Are Cash Assistance Programs?

A cash assistance program is a government initiative that includes transferring money from a government-funded program to you as an individual. These programs allow you to meet basic needs such as water, shelter, food, and protection from extreme weather conditions. In addition, cash assistance programs also help fund education and healthcare costs.
Cash assistance programs can fund temporary or emergencies, while some programs are long-term and help finance chronic health treatments and support. In Virginia, several cash assistance programs help people who have fallen into hard times.
Cash assistance programs are at the center of humanitarian response, helping affected individuals to live and recover from their situation with dignity. They help needy families prepare and care for their families as they see fit.

Cash Assistance Programs in Virginia

The following are the different cash assistance programs in Virginia:

• The Child Care Subsidy Program
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Virginia Mortgage Relief Program (VMRP)
• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
• Refugee Cash Assistance
• Auxiliary Grant (AG)
• Medicaid
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
• The Virginia (VA) Medication Assistance Program (MAP)
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
• Child Tax Credit (CTC)
• General Relief (GR) Program in Virginia
• The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

Here is an in-depth look at each cash assistance program in Virginia.

Child Care Subsidy Program

The Child Care Subsidy Program provides financial assistance to working parents with low incomes and school-going parents to help them cover childcare costs. The program assists in paying childcare costs for children under the age of 13 who are not yet attending public schools. The program also provides financial assistance for children under 18 years with special needs who are still living with the applicant.

Child Care Subsidy Program eligibility

To be eligible for the childcare subsidy program, you should be a resident of Virginia or be

• Actively employed or searching for a job. You should let your local department of social services know you are currently unemployed and that you are actively searching for a job.
• Currently in school or a training program
• Receiving child protective services (CPS)
• Participating in the Virginia Initiative for Education and Work
• Participating in the SNAPET (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training) program.

You should provide documentation showing the child’s citizenship or legal residence in the United States.
You should also provide documentation showing the child’s immunization history per the State Board of Health requirements.
Another important documentation you should provide is the household income document. This will help your social service provider know whether your income is below or exceeds the Virginia locality limits.
Suppose you are currently homeless with your child(ren) and cannot provide the needed documents to determine your eligibility. In that case, you may get unconditional approval for a period not exceeding 90 days.

How to Apply for the Child Care Subsidy Program in Virginia

You can apply for the Child Care Subsidy Program in two ways:

• Check eligibility and apply online. You can also the CommonHelp portal to check for eligibility anytime, every day. There is a video tutorial that will give you a quick guide on how to navigate and fill out the forms.
• Pick a up Child Care Service Application and Redetermination form from your local social services department, fill it out, and submit it.

Once you submit your application form, your application will be under review for 30 days. As you wait, you will be interviewed and asked to provide some documents showing that you comply with basic eligibility requirements.
When the local social service department approves your application, they will authorize childcare, grant you a childcare provider of your choice, and a portion of your childcare costs will be paid to them directly.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a program that provides financial assistance to families with children that are struggling to make ends meet. The TANF program is intended to help families in need pay for basic necessities such as food, housing, and medical care.
TANF helps families become self-sufficient by providing temporary financial assistance and support services, such as job training and education. TANF is administered by the Federal Government and is funded by a combination of federal and state funds. Each state has its own TANF program, which may have different eligibility requirements and benefit levels.

Who is eligible for TANF in Virginia?

To be eligible for TANF, you should:

• Be a US citizen or legal immigrant
• Be a resident of Virginia
• Have a low income, be unemployed or underemployed
• Be either pregnant or have a child under the age of 18.

Whether you apply for TANF or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families - Unemployed Parent (TANF-UP), you must also be willing to participate in the Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW) Program. VIEW provides two able-bodied parents with job training, educational programs, transportation, childcare assistance, and other work-related expenses so that they can attain financial independence.

How to apply for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

There are two ways to apply for TANF and check if you are eligible:

• Apply online through CommonHelp.
• Submit your TANF application manually by filling out this form and returning the accomplished form to the nearest �local department of social services in your area.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally funded program that assists low-income families by helping them buy nutritious food such as fruits, dairy products, vegetables, meat, fish, bread, and more for good health. Eligible Virginia residents receive coupons and Electronic Benefits Transfer cards that enable them to buy food in authorized retail food stores.

Who is Eligible for SNAP?

To be eligible for SNAP benefits in Virginia, you must meet certain income and resource limits and other non-financial criteria.
You must be:

• A resident of the state of Virginia
• Have a combined bank balance below $2,001, or
• Have a combined bank balance below $3,0001 if you are living with a person aged 60 and over, or a person with a disability.

How to apply for SNAP in Virginia

There are two ways to apply for SNAP:

• Apply through CommonHelp
• Fill out this application form and submit it manually at your local Department of Social Services office in Virginia.

Once you qualify, you will receive SNAP benefits no later than 30 days from the date of application. However, if you need assistance immediately, you will get your benefits within 7 days. You will also not have to pay anything back once you are financially stable.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides financial support to children or adults with disabilities or blindness. You can also get SSI benefits if you are 65 years or older without disabilities or blindness.
The monthly payments help families cater for food, clothing, and shelter. The amount paid varies with the living arrangement and countable income, with the maximum payment being $794.00. per month.

Who is eligible for SSI?

You may be eligible for SSI if:

• You are a US citizen
• You are a resident of Virginia
• You are 65 years or older
• You are blind or partially blind
• You have limited income
• You have limited resources ($2000 or less and $3000 or less for married couples)
• You have a medical condition keeping you from working for at least a year or may result in death

How to apply for SSI in Virginia

You can fill out an SSI application for your child or SSI for an adult in person at the Social Security Administration Office near you.
You will be asked to provide details regarding your child's medical conditions and records. They may demand to talk to your child’s therapists, doctors, or other professionals to determine your child's eligibility.
Below is the general information that you will need to fill in:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Your social security number
• Mailing address
• Phone number
• Email address (optional)

If you are assisting someone else, you will also need to provide your:

• Name
• Phone number
• Email address (optional)

You can also apply online by filling out this form in a process that takes about 5-10 minutes, and no documentation is required. The process may take 3-5 months, after which they will contact you to let you know if your application was successful.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that provides health care coverage to millions of Americans who cannot afford private health insurance. Medicaid is a program that is funded jointly by the Federal Government and the states. Even though the Federal Government has rules that manage the program, each state runs its own program.
Medicaid covers medical emergencies; inpatient, outpatient, and preventative care; prescription medicines; behavioral health; dental, recovery, and treatment, and many more. You can pick up medications from any pharmacy that accepts the Medicare plan.
This member handbook will give you a detailed look at the services and benefits that Medicaid covers in Virginia.

Who is eligible for Medicaid in Virginia?

To be eligible for Medicaid, you should be an American citizen who is

• Elderly
• Pregnant
• Disabled�
• Earning a low income

How to apply for Medicaid in Virginia

If you are eligible for Medicaid, you can apply online at CommonHelp. You can also apply online at the Health Insurance Marketplace website.
Once you fill out the form, you can mail or drop off your paper application to your local Department of Social Services.
Here is the information you are expected to fill out:

• Your full legal name
• Your date of birth
• Social security number or any valid document numbers for legal immigrants in need of insurance

You will be asked to show proof of citizenship or immigration status and income information for everyone in your family. In addition, you will be asked to provide policy numbers for current health insurance you may have, and details concerning any job-related health insurance anyone in your family may have.

Applying for Medicaid for medically needy individuals or those with chronic illness

To apply for someone who urgently needs Medicaid and whose income exceeds the Medicaid limit, you will have to complete the Medically Needy Spenddown � Appendix E form. The application will be reevaluated, and once approved, spenddown will work like an insurance policy deductible.
Fill out Nursing or Community Based Care � Appendix F if applying for Medicaid for someone who needs help with everything e.g., bathing, using the bathroom, walking, eating, or dressing. You can also fill out the form if you are applying for someone who has a chronic disease, addiction disorder, mental or emotional illness, or a physical disability.

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

The Virginia Energy Assistance Program helps qualifying low-income individuals to pay for their home heating and cooling bills during the winter, fall, and spring months. This program is designed to help households that are struggling to afford their energy bills, particularly during times of extreme weather when heating or cooling costs may be higher than usual. Low-income individuals who apply for the program can a 25% discount off of their energy charges every month.
LIHEAP covers four components:

• Fuel Assistance - Helps offset fuel and heating costs
• Crisis Assistance - Covers appliances and heating emergencies
• Cooling Assistance - Covers cooling utility bills and equipment
• Weatherization Assistance - Covers energy efficiency and air filtration

Fuel Assistance Program

To be considered for the Fuel Assistance Program, you should apply from the second Tuesday in October up until the fourteenth of November. You should also be responsible for heating costs.

Who is eligible for the Fuel Assistance Program?

For you to benefit from this program, you

• Should be a resident of Virginia
• Need home energy cost financial assistance
• Should be participating in other benefit programs such as SNAP, TANF, and SSI

How to apply for Fuel Assistance

• Apply online through CommonHelp.
• Apply Over the telephone by calling e Enterprise Customer Service Center at 1-855-635-4370 (Available from Monday - Friday, 7AM to 6PM).
• Fill out the application form and return it to your local department of social services.

Crisis Assistance

Crisis assistance helps fund the repair or replacement of heating equipment, fuel, and utility bills. The Crisis Assistance program is open for application from November 1st through March 15th. For help with fuel and utility bills, applications are open from every first workday in January through March 15th.

Who is eligible for Crisis Assistance?

To be eligible for the Crisis Assistance, your household must have a cooling or heating expense and a gross monthly income that doesn’t exceed 150% of the Federal Poverty Level.
A household size of one should have a maximum of $2,720. A household of 2 should have a salary of below $3,558. A household of 3 should have an income below $4,395, and a household of 4 should have a maximum income of $5,232.
You should:

• Lack heat from your equipment
• Have an impending utility cut-off
• Have Inoperable/ unsafe heating equipment.

How to apply for Crisis Assistance

• Apply through CommonHelp
• Apply over the phone at 1-855-635-4370 from Monday - Friday, 7 am - 6 pm.
• Fill out and submit your application manually and return it to your local department of social services.

Cooling Assistance

Cooling assistance helps fund the purchase and installation of air conditioning units and repair and conditioning or heat pumps. Cooling assistance also helps in paying electric bills and security deposits.

Who is eligible for Cooling Assistance?

To be eligible for Cooling Assistance, you:

• Should have cooling expense responsibilities
• Have an individual age 60 or older, disabled, or under age six in your household.

How to apply for Cooling Assistance

• Apply online through CommonHelp.
• Apply over the phone by calling 1-855-635-4370 from Monday - Friday, 7 am - 6 pm.
• Fill out and submit your application manually and return it to your local department of social services. You can send your applications from June 15 through August 15.

The Virginia (VA) Medication Assistance Program (MAP)

The Virginia Medication Assistance Program (MAP) is a state-funded program that provides financial assistance to eligible low-income individuals to help them pay for their prescription medications. The VA MAP program is designed to help people who cannot afford to pay for their life-saving medications out of pocket and who do not have private or government health insurance that covers their medications.
The VA MAP provides financial assistance for the treatment of HIV and AIDS and other related diseases. The four service options that VA MAP uses to provide services include

• Medicare Prescription Assistance Program. VA MAP will help cater for monthly premiums and cost shares if you are enrolled in Medicaid.
• Insurance Continuation Assistance Program (ICAP). Individuals with private insurance coverage can also benefit from VA MAP assistance, such as medical copayments and deductibles, provided they are qualified individuals.
• Direct Medication Assistance Program. You can access this program if you do not have other HIV/AIDS medication coverage.
• Health Insurance Marketplace Assistance Program (HIMAP). VA MAP can help pay for costs of insurance premiums and medication costs provided you are enrolled in health-approved plans under the Affordable Care Act.

Who is eligible for VA MAP?

To be eligible for VA MAP, you

• You should be a resident of Virginia
• Should have an income below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level
• Should have a documented HIV diagnosis
• Should not have Medicaid
• Should be able to show proof of income

How to apply for VA MAP

• Fill out the VA MAP application form and mail it to:

The Virginia Department of Health, HCS Unit, 1st Floor, James Madison Building, 109 Governor Street, Richmond, VA 23219

• Fill out the application form and fax it to VA MAP Central Office Fax 1-804-864-8050, toll-free fax at 1-877-837-2853.
• You can also apply through the Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems (VCUHS) Financial Services (for clients who receive their services from here).
• You can also apply via phone by calling the Medication Eligibility Hotline (1-855-362-0658). The staff will help you fill out the phone and they will mail you the form to sign and provide additional documents.

Once you fill out your application, the office staff will evaluate your application and determine the best service option to suit your needs.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a program run by the federal government that provides financial support to people who are unable to work due to a disability. The benefits are paid from the Social Security Trust Fund, which is funded by payroll taxes paid by workers and their employers.
To be eligible for SSDI benefits, you must have worked for a long enough and have paid Social Security taxes. You must also be deemed medically disabled by the Social Security Administration (SSA). If you are approved for SSDI benefits, the amount you receive will be based on your average earnings covered by Social Security.

Who is eligible for SSDI?

To be eligible for SSDI benefits, you must:

• Be 18 years and older
• Be medically disabled, with an illness expected to last at least one year or result in death
• Be partially disabled or have a short-term disability
• Not have attained full retirement age
• Be not receiving benefits on your own Social Security record

Once you qualify for SSDI benefits, some of your family members may be eligible to receive benefits based on your work record. The monthly benefits you may receive include $3,148 per month.

How to apply for SSDI

• You can apply online by checking for eligibility and filling out the application form online.
• You can also apply by phone by calling 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday or TTY 1-800-325-0778 if you are deaf or hard of hearing.
• You can also apply personally by visiting your local Social Security office.

You will also need to provide additional documentation such as a birth certificate or other proof of birth, W-2 forms, U.S. military discharge paper(s) for those who were in service before 1968, medical documents such as doctors' reports, tests results, and proof of any other benefits you may be receiving.

Virginia Mortgage Relief Program (VMRP)

The Virginia Mortgage Relief Program supports and ensures housing stability during the COVID-19 pandemic by helping families pay their rent and mortgages. This is a partnership between the State of Virginia and Virginia Mortgage Relief and therefore more information can be found on the partner website.
Although the financial assistance is a one-time payment, you can get a renewal if there is a proven need for additional assistance and continuous eligibility. You will receive a lump sum grant to bring your expenses mortgage current.

Who is eligible for the Virginia Mortgage Relief Program?

To be eligible

• You should have a valid lease or mortgage statement/document in your name confirming you are the owner (as a tenant or landlord)
• The coronavirus pandemic should have impacted your income
• You have been laid off, or your place of work was closed off following the COVID-19 pandemic
• You have experienced a reduction in hours of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• You are forced to stay home due to the closure of daycare and/or school
• You have lost a child or spousal support
• You should have contracted COVID-19
• You are unable to find work due to COVID-19

How to apply for the Virginia Mortgage Relief Program

You can get more information from your local Department of Social Services.

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

Although temporary, the LIHWAP is a federally funded program that helps low-income households manage their water and wastewater bills in Virginia. The program started at the beginning of October 2022 and runs until September 1, 2023.
LIHWAP is a program by the Virginia Department of Social Services together with Promise� a technology solutions company that works with government agencies to provide financial relief to low-income households.

Who is eligible for LIHWAP?

To be eligible

• You should have a past-due water or wastewater balance
• Have a gross household income not exceeding 150% of the Federal Poverty Level.

How to apply for LIHWAP

• You can apply online by downloading, printing, filling out, and mailing your application to Virginia LIHWAP - Promise, PO Box 2218, Richmond, VA 23218
• Or call Promise on (LIHWAP Administrator) at 1-888-373-9908 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday.

Auxiliary Grant (AG)

Auxiliary Grant is a program that is 80% funded by the state and 20% funded by the local government. It is an income supplement program that helps individuals currently enrolled in Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The program also helps the aged, blind, or disabled individuals living in licensed living facilities. The grant supplement is paid to individuals every month, helping them to meet their basic needs and improve their quality of life.
The Auxiliary Grant covers a furnished room in a secure housing facility with fire and safety codes. It also covers housekeeping services, meals and snacks, and special diets. The program also ensures that you have clean bed linens and towels as needed.
Auxiliary Grant also caters to an individual's hygiene, arranging for medical administration, providing personal toiletries, and arranging transportation, among other assistance.

Who is eligible for Auxiliary Grant?

To be eligible for Auxiliary Grant in Virginia you should

• Be a citizen of the United States or an immigrant who meets specific criteria.
• B a resident of Virginia or have resided in Virginia voluntarily for a minimum of 90 days.
• Be 65 years or over.
• Be blind or disabled.
• Be living in a licensed assisted living facility such as foster care or an approved supportive housing setting.
• Have a countable income below the total AG rate.
• Have resources not exceeding $2,000 for one person or $3,000 for a couple.
• Have been assessed by the employees of the Department of Local Services.

How to apply for Auxiliary Grant

You must fill out an Application for Benefits form and submit it to the local Department of Social Services. Once you have filled out and submitted your form, the eligibility worker will evaluate your financial eligibility. It will take approximately 45 days to process your application. However, not all ALFs accept AG payments so you may have to check different ALFs to find one that accepts AG in Virginia.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

Earned Income Tax Credit helps needy families to get tax breaks and give them money back at tax time or lower the federal taxes they owe. You can also qualify for a tax refund if you don’t owe income tax and the amount you owe in taxes is lower than the EITC amount.
Qualified applicants receive credit depending on their income, marital status, and family size. Generally, if your family has several children, you will be eligible for higher credit amounts. The maximum amount you can receive if you have 1 child is $3,618, and if you have 2 children, you will receive $5,980 and $6,728 for a family with 3 children or more. If you don't have a child, the maximum amount you can receive is $1,502.

Who is eligible for Earned Income Tax Credit?

To be eligible and claim Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

• You must be a US citizen
• You must earn money from a job such as employment or business
• Have a valid social security number

How to apply for Earned Income Tax Credit

• You can apply personally
• You can apply online through MyFreeTaxes by following a series of prompts and answering questions
• File virtually with an IRS-certified volunteer by filling out your form at GetYourRefund.org.

Once you have filled out your form, you can expect a tax refund in 21 days, but it may also take longer if the application must undergo more review.

Child Tax Credit (CTC)

The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is a federal income tax credit available to taxpayers with qualifying children under 17. The Child Tax Credit has proven to provide historic financial relief for most families. CTC reduces the amount of taxes the taxpayer owes and can result in a refundable credit. On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan was signed into law to expand the Child Tax Credit from $2000 to $3,600. You can get up to $3,600 per child under 6 years and $3,000 for children between 6 and 17 years.
The amount of the credit can vary depending on the taxpayer's income and the number of qualifying children they have. Generally, the CTC is intended to help families with the cost of raising children and to provide financial support for families with lower incomes.

Who is eligible for Child Tax Credit (CTC)?

To be eligible for CTC

• Your child should be a qualifying U.S. citizen, national or resident alien.
• Your child should have a valid Social Security Number.
• You should have a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
• You must be a taxpayer and have earned income.
• You must claim the child as a dependent on your tax return.

How to apply for Child Tax Credit

• You can apply personally.
• You can apply online through MyFreeTaxes by following a series of prompts and answering questions.
• File virtually with an IRS-certified volunteer by filling out your form at GetYourRefund.org.

Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) Program in Virginia

The Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) program is a federal program that provides financial assistance to eligible refugees and other humanitarian immigrants. The Refugee Cash Assistance Program is intended to help these individuals cover their basic living expenses for up to eight months from the date of their arrival in the United States or the date of their immigration status.
The Refugee Cash Assistance Program provides financial assistance to refugees who do not qualify for other cash assistance programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Medicaid programs. RCA is funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to help refugees obtain employment and be financially independent.

Who is eligible for the Refugee Cash Assistance program?

To be eligible, you should be

• A refugee
• An asylee who has been granted asylum through an immigration court or the U.S. Office of Citizenship and Immigration Services.
• An Amerasian. Individuals born after January 1, 1962, and before January 1, 1975, and have Asian mothers and American fathers.
• A victim of human trafficking with a Certification Letter or Minor’s Eligibility Letter from the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement.
• A Cuban-Haitian entrant who obtained eligible immigration status after arriving in the U.S.
• A certified victim of trafficking or one of their eligible family members.
• The holder of a Special Immigrant Visa from Afghanistan or Iraq.
• Have resources of less than $6,000.

Eligible couples without children and income will get $459 per month, and once a couple earns over $839 in a month, they will no longer be eligible for RCA.

How to apply for the Refugee Cash Assistance program in Virginia

To apply for refugee benefits and services in Virginia, you will have to apply in person. Virginia’s local Department of Social Services will process the application and determine if you are eligible for public assistance. Have your documents ready because you will need to show proof of immigration to the local Department of Social Services.

General Relief Program in Virginia

The General Relief (GR) Program is a program geared towards assisting children not living with relatives. The state finances 62.5%, while 37.5% is from local funding.

Who is eligible for General Relief in Virginia?

To be eligible, you must be

• An American citizen
• Needy children must be living with a non-relative
• Needy children under 18 years who are qualified to receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and live with adults who are not their relatives
• An eligible alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence

How to apply for General Relief in Virginia

To apply for General Relief, fill out an application form from the Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) and forward the application to DCSE. You can also visit the local Department of Social Services to apply and to get more eligibility information.

Conclusion

Many cash assistance programs in Virginia can help you whenever you are struggling financially. Ensure you are eligible for any of the programs to get approved for assistance. The good news is that you can receive assistance from several programs. Most cash assistance also gives you the needed education/training to enable you to be better equipped for the job market.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Cash Assistance Programs

Can I receive cash assistance in Virginia?
Yes. You can benefit from different cash assistance programs in Virginia if you are a needy resident of Virginia and meet certain requirements. You may need to visit your local Department of Social service to get more information about your eligibility.
What Are Electronics Benefits Transfer (EBT)?
EBT is a system used to issue Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) using a debit card. The benefits (funds) are added to your EBT card, and you can swipe it at the point of sale to buy foodstuff.
Will I pay TANF back If I am no longer eligible?
No, since TANF is a program that helps vulnerable households. However, if you receive payment when you are no longer eligible for TANF, you may have to contact your local department of social service and work out a way to pay back the TANF overpayment.
What is the TANF time limit in Virginia?
You can receive TANF assistance for a maximum of 24 months in Virginia.