Social Services

Support Enforcement Programs

The Virginia Department of Social Services locates absent responsible parents whose children depend on TANF for support, collects past-due child support and establishes the parents' continuing financial responsibility for their children. The Support Enforcement Division has the authority to garnish wages, attach property and take other actions to force responsible parents to support their own children. For more information, please call the local office of support enforcement at 1-800-468-8894.

Licensing Programs

The Virginia Department of Social Services licenses child welfare agencies as well as day care and residential facilities for children and adults. The Licensing Division sets standards and regulations in addition to monitoring the licensing of over 1,000 facilities in the Commonwealth.

Welfare Fraud

Welfare fraud is a serious crime and can carry severe penalties. Each program offered has different penalties that can be imposed when a recipient is found guilty of fraud. These penalties can range from six months disqualification from receiving TANF benefits to permanent disqualification for using Food Stamps to purchase drugs or fire arms. In many instances, it only takes a moment to commit welfare fraud. But if discovered, the amount of assistance received fraudulently is much less than the penalties and effort that must be made to make restitution.

All monies received in error by the client must be repaid. Various methods of collection are used to recover this money.

Welfare Fraud complaints may be made by calling 540-387-6087 during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m..

Community-based Programs

COMMUNITY SERVICE BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

Local community action agencies and statewide community action organizations provide an array of self-help activities for low-income people and hard-to-reach client groups to become self-sufficient. Programs designed to meet local needs are funded from a federal block grant.

NEIGHBORHOOD ASSISTANCE

To promote public-private partnerships that assist low-income people or improve impoverished neighborhoods, businesses are allowed a state tax credit for 50 percent of their total contributions to certified community projects. Projects are developed locally to address a variety of needs including education, job training, crime prevention, community services and structural improvement of neighborhoods.

Important Tax Information

Although the Department of Social Services does not provide services regarding taxes, we feel it is important to notify you that you, or someone you know, may qualify for an Earned Income Credit on your 2000 tax return. In 2000, if you earned less than $27,413 and had one qualifying child living with you, or earned less than $31,152 and had more than one qualifying child living with you, or if you were between the ages of 25 and 64 on December 31, 2000 and earned less than $10,380 and did not have a qualifying child: Then you may be able to get the Earned Income Credit. Earned Income Credit has no effect on certain welfare benefits. To learn more about the Earned Income Credit, please refer to the IRS Publication # 596 or visit the IRS website at www.irs.ustreas.gov.