FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Auxiliary Grants for the Aged / Disabled
Certain individuals living in a Home for Adults or an Adult Family Care Home can receive money from the Auxiliary Grants Program. The person to pay for care provided by the home uses money received, plus other income. Individuals who get money from the Auxiliary Grants Program also get a Medicaid card to use for medical bills.
Day Care Services for Children
Benefits / Financial Services
Day care is provided for children under age 13 years for a portion of the day while their parents are participating in activities, which will prepare them to be self-supporting. Day care services are available to individuals who are working, going to school, or in training. Any educational or training plans, which are at the post secondary level, must be appropriate for the customer and approved by agency staff before day care is authorized.
There are a number of different programs for which a customer may be eligible to receive day care services. Those customers who are receiving assistance through Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) are eligible to receive day care while they are working or completing high school and in some instances while they are in post secondary education or training. Day care can continue as long as customers attend work regularly or make progress toward their educational goals.
Transitional Day Care
Former recipients of TANF who have been terminated based on excess earned income from working may be eligible for Transitional Day Care. In order to participate in this program, families must meet income guidelines based on the size of the family and must pay 10% of their gross income toward the cost of day care. The agency pays the remainder of the cost of care. Customers are eligible for Transitional Day Care for a 12-month period.
Funding Assistance
There are other limited funding sources available to assist low-income families with the cost of their day care. These programs also require eligibility based on income, and the customers must pay a fee (10% of their gross income) toward the cost of the day care. Participation in these programs is limited to five years; this allows more families the opportunity to be served. There is a lengthy waiting list for these programs as funding is never to the level to meet the community’s need.
Licensing
Children are cared for in family day care homes or day care centers. Family day care homes may be regulated or unregulated. Regulated homes are ones in which the providers have been certified by the local Social Services agency, licensed by the state, or approved through the Voluntary Registration Program administered by the Planning Council in Norfolk. Unregulated providers, with the exception of close relatives, must meet some minimum standards such as:
Child Protective Services Clearance
Criminal Records Check
Health and Safety Checklist
Tuberculosis (TB) Test
Day Care Centers must be licensed or declared church exempt by the state licensing office. Social Services enters into vendor agreements with providers within the market rates set by state policy.
Request an Appointment
Citizens who believe they may be eligible for day care services through this agency should call and request to be screened for an intake appointment.
Energy, Fuel & Cooling Assistance
Energy Assistance Program
Local Departments of Social Services accept applications from the second Tuesday in October through the second Friday in November. This program helps with heating costs; but can also be used for furnace re-starts, late charges, delivery charges, installation charges and connection or re-connection fees. Notices are sent to venders for payment in December. Assistance is based on availability of funds.
Crisis Assistance Program
The crisis assistance program is intended to meet a household's emergency heating need, when no other resource is available. Applications are accepted from November 1 through March 15. Assistance offered during this period is; one time only heat security deposit and heating equipment for repair/purchase. Assistance is based on availability of funds.
Crisis Part II
Applications are accepted on the first work day of January through March 15 for the following types of crisis; purchase of home heating fuel and payment of the utility bill. Assistance is based on the availability of funds.
Cooling Assistance
This provides purchase/repair of cooling equipment and/or payment for electricity to operate cooling equipment. To be eligible, a household must contain at least one vulnerable individual who is age 60 or over, disabled, or who have children in the home under the of age 6. Applications are accepted from June 15 through August 15. Assistance is based on availability of funds.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a program administered by the local Social Services Department and regulated by the Department of Medical Assistance Services. There are multiple groups of individuals who may be eligible for Medicaid services. They must meet certain income and resource guidelines. These groups include the:
Aged
Blind
Disabled
Families With Children
Foster Care and Adoption Subsidy Children
Pregnant Women
Apply
To apply for Virginia Medicaid, contact the Department of Social Services in the city or county where you reside. A face-to-face interview is not required. A Medicaid application must be filed and it must be signed by the applicant unless it is completed and signed by the applicant's legal guardian or authorized representative. Applicants applying for Medicaid are asked to provide the following:
Social Security numbers
Confirm they are a Virginia resident
Confirm U.S citizenship or provide documentation of alien status
Verify income and resources
Submit bills for medical services in the past three months
An eligibility decision will be made on the applicant's Medicaid application within 45 days or 90 days if a disability determination is needed. The local Department of Social Services will send the applicant a written notice that their application has either been approved or denied. If the applicant disagrees with the decision made by the local Department of Social Services, they may file an appeal.
To apply for services please call 855-242-8282 or visit the CommonHelp website.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as Food Stamps, is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture with Eligibility determination by the Department of Social Services. The SNAP program is administered without regard to age, race, color, sex, disability, religious creed, national origin, or political beliefs. The goal of the program is to reduce hunger and increase food security. The Program permits low-income households to have a more nutritious diet through normal channels of trade by increasing the food purchasing power for eligible households when there is a disaster.
Apply
If you are interested in applying for SNAP, here is the information you need to know:
SNAP (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) has separate rules, so you should apply even if other programs have limitations.
You may obtain an application at our office or we will mail one to you today. If you have access to a computer, you can also apply online.
You may return your application to the agency in person, mail fax, outside drop box (after business hours) or electronically. Your application will be reviewed (during normal business hours) for possible expedite service on the day it is received.
You are encouraged to be screened in our office or file an application today. The processing time and the benefits, if eligible, are based on your application date.
The Agency is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We are located across from Gloucester High School at:
6641 Short Lane
P.O. Box 1390
Gloucester, VA 23061
Phone: 804-693-2671
Fax: 804-693-5511
Expedited Service
If your resources and income are very low ($100 in resources and $150 in income) or you are a migrant or seasonal worker, or your combined gross monthly income and resources are less that your family’s shelter expenses, you may be eligible for expedited service. This means if your eligible you are entitled to receive SNAP within 7 days following the date your application is filed at the local Social Services Department.
Your application will be reviewed on the day it is received for possible expedited services. You have a right to file an application even if you appear to be ineligible for the program. To apply for services please visit the CommonHelp website or call 855-635-4370.
Volunteer Opportunities
The goal of the Volunteer Program is to expand the services and capabilities of the Agency. This is done by utilizing the skills and efforts of volunteers. As a volunteer, you will have an opportunity not only to learn new things, but also to learn about the services that the agency offers. It is our hope that the time you spend with us will be educational, challenging, and rewarding. On behalf of the Department, the staff, and the people we serve, thank you for your interest in sharing your time, energy, and talents.
For more information on the Volunteer Services Program call Gloucester Department of Social Services at 804-693-2671.