General Information
You may apply by completing an application and leaving it at or
mailing it to our agency.
Applications are available at our office any time during regular
office hours, or you can request that an application be mailed to
you. Applications can also be downloaded from the Virginia Department
of Social Services (see following links)
Confidentiality
All information that you provide is confidential. Information will
only be given to persons directly connected with administering or
enforcing provisions of the programs for which you apply.
Eligibility
To be eligible for assistance, applicants must meet certain general
requirements. For most programs you must:
- Live in Virginia
- Apply in the city or county where you live
- Be a U.S. citizen or meet certain requirements if you are an
immigrant
- Meet the specific requirements of each program for which you
are applying
Before we can determine whether you are eligible, most of the information
that you give must be verified. Eligibility will be based on your
income, resources, the number of people for whom you are applying,
and for some programs, certain household expenses. You will be notified
in writing as soon as a decision about your application has been
made.
Required Verifications
Each program has different verification requirements (see link
below under Resources). The most important things for you to bring
to your first interview are:
- Proof of any income (money) that you have received in the month
before the month that you are applying in and proof of any income
(money) for the month of application and
- Identification and Social Security Numbers for each person that
you are apply for
The information that you give may be matched against Federal, State
and Local records including the Virginia Employment Commission,
the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the Department of Corrections,
to determine if it is accurate and truthful.
Time Standards
With some exceptions, action on application must be taken within:
- Forty-five days of application for financial and medical assistance
- Thirty days of application for food stamps (seven days if the
household qualifies for emergency service)
Appeal
If you disagree with any decision or action concerning your application,
you have the right to request a conference with the agency or file
an appeal. In most cases, if you file an appeal within ten days
of your advance notice to reduce or terminate your benefits, your
benefits will continue until after your appeal has been heard and
a decision has been made.
To request a Food Stamp hearing call our office or call toll free
1-800-552-3431.
For financial assistance, your appeal request must be in writing.
You can use a form available at our office or send a letter to:
Manager, Appeals and Fair Hearings
Virginia Department of Social Services
730 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
For Medicaid there are also forms available at your request or
you may send a letter to:
Director, Division of Client Appeals
Department of medical Assistance Services
600 East Broad Street, Suite 1300
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Fraud
There is a separate unit that deals exclusively with investigating
all allegations of fraud. Investigations are conducted through
collateral contacts and/or home visits. The Fraud Unit tracks
and recovers all debts incurred for all programs where benefits
are issued. To report suspected fraud you may call the Chesterfield
- Colonial Heights Department of Social Services at (804) 748-1100,
between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and ask for
the Fraud Unit.
Resources/Links/Contacts
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