Social Services

Local departments of social services in each county and city administer benefit programs supported by federal, state and local funds. Benefit programs include:

AID TO FAMILIES WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN-FOSTER CARE (AFDC-FC): Financial aid is also provided for children eligible for AFDC who have been removed from their homes and placed in the custody of a local social service board.

AUXILIARY GRANT PROGRAM: Financial assistance is available for certain aged, blind or disabled persons in a Home for Adults who are in need of assistance to pay the cost of their care.

CMSIP (CHILDREN'S MEDICAL SECURITY INSURANCE PLAN): CMSIP provides assistance with comprehensive health benefits coverage for children through the age of 18 who do not have any health insurance coverage. The plan is paid for by the state and federal government and is designed to cover children of working Virginia families who make too much to qualify for medical assistance under Medicaid and do not have access to other health insurance.

Children may be eligible for CMSIP if they are ages birth through 18, they are residents of Virginia,
they live in families with income below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level, they are uninsured or have not had health insurance in the past 12 months, they are not eligible for Medicaid, and their parents are not employed by a public agency with access to State Employee Health Insurance.

Application for CMSIP can be made by calling 1-877-822-6747. You may call your local Department of Social Services and have the application mailed to you. Applications may also be picked up at the local Department of Social Services.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE: The Individual and Family Grants program gives financial help to victims of major disasters when the President declares that an emergency or disaster area exists. Qualifying individuals and families receive aid to repair, replace or rebuild necessary provisions that were destroyed or damaged as a result of disaster.

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FAMILIES' CHILDREN: Financial assistance may be paid to a family or provider of services during specific emergency situations.

FOOD STAMP PROGRAM: This federal program supplements the food budgets of low-income households to help assure needy persons a nutritionally adequate diet. Eligibility is determined by financial need, income resources and non-financial criteria such as student status and work registration.

FUEL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Eligible low-income households receive federal assistance with their home heating costs. Faulty or hazardous heating systems may also be repaired in households eligible for fuel assistance. Application is made at the local Department of Social Services serving the locality where the individual resides.

GENERAL RELIEF (GR): This state/local program provides limited financial assistance. General Relief may include aid for persons who are ill or temporarily out of work, medical care for the indigent, burial of the indigent and other emergency services. Most counties and cities have chosen to offer some General Relief assistance.

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE (MEDICAID): This federal/state program is an assistance program which pays medical service providers for services rendered to eligible needy families. Eligibility is determined based on income, resources, categorical requirements and other non-financial criteria. Application is made at the local Department of Social Services serving the locality where the individual resides.

NURSING HOME CARE: This program provides assistance to an individual who needs nursing facility care and cannot afford the cost of care. Application is made at the local Department of Social Services where the individual resided in Virginia prior to entering the nursing facility. Eligibility is based on categorical requirements, income, resources and other non-financial criteria.

REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM: This federal program provides medical and cash assistance to eligible refugees who settle in Virginia.

STATE-LOCAL HOSPITALIZATION: Needy citizens may be unable to pay for essential medical care. In participating localities, they may receive outpatient or inpatient hospital care and treatment and emergency room service at hospitals and health department clinics.

TEMPORARY AID TO NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF): Financial assistance is paid to certain relatives responsible for children who have been deprived of parental support due to the responsible parents death, absence or incapacity. Financial need and the age of the child are basic criteria for determining eligibility and payment amounts.

WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM: This federal program assists low-income households in offsetting the high cost of home heating by permanently weatherizing dwellings. Work may include reducing air-filtration and installing insulation and storm windows. For Roanoke County and Salem residents, this program is operated by Total Action Against Poverty, located at 4420 Pinkard Street, Roanoke, VA 24014. Call 540-774-7408 for more information.