Food/Clothing/Financial Assistance

Food Stamps Department of Social Security

Website: http://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/foodstamp.html

Food stamps can be used like cash to buy eligible food from authorized retailers. Eligibility depends on residency, income, resource and expenses. If you are a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipient, you may also apply for food stamps at local Social Security office. For further information, contact your local department of social services, click: www.dss.virginia.gov/localagency/index.html  

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Website: www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/tanf/index.html 

TANF provides eligible families with monthly cash payment to meet their basic needs. Eligibility includes children under the age of 18, attending school, living with a parent or relative, and U.S citizen or eligible immigrant. For further information, contact your local department of social services, click: www.dss.virginia.gov/localagency/index.html   

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

Website: www.vafood.org   

TEFAP is a federal program that helps supplement the diet of low-income needy persons, including elderly people, by providing them with emergency food and nutrition assistance. Food is distributed to soup kitchens, food pantries and other organizations that serve the public. For further information, contact your local department of social services (click: www.dss.virgina.gov/localagency/index.html) or click here to process application: www.vafood.org  

Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

Website: www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/wic/index.html 

WIC serves to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to the age of 5 who are nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care. For further information, contact your local department of social security (click: www.dss.virginia.gov/localagency/index.html) or click here to process application: www.vafood.org