VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The TANF program provides eligible families with a monthly cash payment to meet their basic needs. For a child to be eligible he must be:

• Under the age 18, or if 18, but not yet 19, enrolled and attending a secondary school or vocational/technical school of secondary equivalency and is meeting the enrollment and attendance requirements as determined by the local school board
• Living with a parent or other relative
• A U.S. citizen or an eligible immigrant

The Code of Virginia, §63.2, requires that the TANF program be administered in accordance with federal and state statutes and regulations and policies established by the State Board of Social Services.

Participants may be provided with services such as job skills training, work experience, job readiness training, child care assistance, transportation and other work related expenses.

Diversionary Assistance and Emergency Assistance

Diversionary Assistance (DA) and Emergency Assistance (EA) are non-recurring, short-term benefits that may be provided to needy families with children who are eligible for TANF.

• Diversionary Assistance (DA)
  DA benefits are intended to prevent potential TANF recipients from becoming ongoing TANF recipients. If immediate intervention with short-term aid will resolve a one-time emergency or crisis to prevent the need for ongoing TANF, the assistance unit may be granted Diversionary Assistance. DA may address a short-term need such as food, shelter, medical expenses, childcare expenses or the costs associated with getting or keeping employment, including transportation.
  Eligibility for Diversionary Assistance may only be determined for households applying for TANF. Current recipients of TANF are not eligible for Diversionary Assistance.


• Emergency Assistance (EA)
  EA may be provided to needy families with children who are eligible for, or are receiving, TANF, when the family has an immediate need resulting from a natural disaster or fire, or to assist with eviction prevention.


• To apply for DA or EA, an application for the TANF program must be submitted. To complete an application, you may (1) apply online for benefits at commonhelp.virginia.gov/access; (2) call 855-635-4370; (3) apply in person at your Local Department of Social Services (LDSS); or (4) mail a completed application to your LDSS.
  
  For more information about DA or EA, please contact your LDSS.

Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW) Program

VIEW is a program of employment, education, and training opportunities to assist individuals in attaining the goal of developing economic independence. The program goals are to offer Virginians living in poverty the opportunity to:

• Achieve economic independence by removing barriers and disincentives to work and by providing positive incentives to work;
• Provide work skills necessary for self-sufficiency;
• Allow families living in poverty to contribute materially to their own self-sufficiency;
• Set out the responsibilities of and expectations for recipients of public assistance; and
• Obtain work experience through the various employment, education and training components of the VIEW program.

Recipients of TANF and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families - Unemployed Parent (TANF-UP) benefits, must participate in the VIEW program as a condition of eligibility, unless otherwise exempt. The TANF-UP program is intended to provide assistance to families with two able-bodied parents.

Full Employment Program

Employment Advancement for TANF Participants Program

Screening for Eligibility & Applying

Guidance & Procedures

Forms

Manual

Click here for the TANF Manual and Transmittals.

Related Links

Legal Basis