Benefit Programs

Auxiliary Grants provide a cash payment for aged, blind, or disabled individuals who reside in a licensed Assisted Living Facility (ALF). The auxiliary grant payment makes up the shortfall between an individual’s income and the state rate charged by the ALF.

Burial Expenses

The Burial Expenses Program is a cash assistance program providing funds to indigent residents of Norfolk for assistance with burials and cremations. Based on the qualifications of the relative or another person who claims the deceased citizen, the claimant may receive the benefit of a vendor payment paid directly to participating Funeral Homes to assist with final burial expenses.

Child Care

The Child Care Assistance Program aids eligible families in the arrangement and/or purchase of child care for their children.

Emergency Assistance

Emergency Assistance provides a cash payment through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to help alleviate emergency situations specifically related to:

• Natural disaster or fire
• A reduction in a labor force caused by an energy shortage
• Total loss of family income in the winter months due to severe weather conditions

This assistance is limited to $500 in a 12-month period.

Energy Assistance (Fuel, Crisis, or Cooling)

Fuel Assistance – This program helps low-income households with their urgent heating needs, such as: 

• Buying fuel for heating
• Paying energy bills

Applications are accepted from the 2nd Tuesday in October to the 2nd Friday in November.

Crisis Assistance – This program applies benefits to heating emergencies, such as: 

• Connection or re-connection fees
• Imminent utility cut-off
• Inoperable or unsafe heating equipment
• Lack of heat

 Applications are accepted from November 1 to March 15 for: 

• Heating equipment repair or replacement
• Heating equipment – supplemental (example: fuel tanks)
• Security deposit (primary heat expense)

 Applications are accepted from the 1st workday in January to March 15 for: 

• Heating fuel (primary)
• Utility bills (primary heat expense)

Cooling Assistance – This program helps low-income households with payment of:

• The electric bill to operate cooling equipment
• Repair or replacement of cooling equipment

Applications are accepted from June 15 to August 15. 

Food Assistance (SNAP)

SNAP formerly Food Stamps is a nutrition program administered nationally through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and in Virginia operated at the local departments of Social Services under the supervision of the State Department of Social Services.

Eligible households receive a plastic Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card with a magnetic stripe and a personal identification number to access SNAP benefits for the purpose of purchasing any food or food product for human consumption.

Your household may qualify for expedited service and receive SNAP within seven days if you are eligible, and your monthly household income is less than $150 and your household resources are $100 or less, or your monthly household income plus your household resources are less than your shelter bills.

Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS)

Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) provides low-cost health insurance (with nominal premiums and co-pays) for uninsured children.

Health Care coverage (Other)

Medicaid provides full or limited medical coverage for eligible individuals.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

The TANF program provides monthly or one-time cash assistance to families with related children. There are state and federal limits on the number of months assistance can be received.