Benefits: Your Responsibilities

When you receive benefits, there are a few responsibilities that help ensure programs work fairly and continue to support those who need them. These responsibilities are part of keeping your information accurate and your benefits on track.

If you’re ever unsure what to do, your eligibility worker can help.

Provide Accurate Information

You are responsible for giving complete and correct information when applying for or receiving benefits.

If someone knowingly provides false, incorrect or incomplete information to receive benefits for themselves or another person, it may result in:

A fraud investigation, or
A disqualification hearing

Being honest and asking questions if you’re unsure helps prevent problems later.

Cooperate With Eligibility Reviews

To determine and continue your eligibility, the agency may request information or conduct reviews.

You are expected to:

Provide requested information
Cooperate with eligibility reviews, including Quality Control reviews

If you do not cooperate, benefits may be denied or temporarily stopped until the review is completed.

Your signature on an application allows the agency to:

Verify information needed to determine eligibility
Share relevant medical or psychological information with appropriate state or federal agencies when required

Report Required Changes

You must report certain changes within required timeframes. Not every possible change is listed below.

If you’re not sure whether a change should be reported, contact your worker.

You may report changes:

In person
By phone
Using the appropriate change form

Program-Specific Requirements

SNAP (Food Assistance)

Medical Assistance

General Relief, Energy Assistance, and Auxiliary Grants

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Report the following changes within 10 days:

Income increases that cause the household to go over program limits
Work hours dropping below 20 hours per week for household members ages 18–50 when no children live in the home

Repayment of Certain SNAP Benefits

If your household received more SNAP benefits than it was eligible for, repayment may be required.

People who may be responsible include:

Any adult household member at the time the overpayment occurred (even if they later moved out)
The sponsor of an immigrant household member
An authorized representative for someone in a treatment center or group living arrangement

Your worker can explain repayment options and next steps if this applies to you.

Report the following changes within 10 days:

Change of address
Change in marital status
Change in household members
A household member is no longer disabled
Changes in income (earned or unearned)
Changes in resources
Changes in vehicles owned
Changes in dependent care expenses
Changes in income sources (job, benefits, etc.)

Report the following changes on the first business day after the change, when the agency is open:

Change of address
Change in marital status
Change in household members
Child turns 16 (General Relief only)
Child turns 18 (General Relief only)
A household member is no longer disabled
Changes in income or resources
Changes in vehicles owned
Changes in dependent care expenses
Changes in employment

Report the following changes:

Within 10 days of the change, or
No later than the 10th day of the following month

Changes include:

New physical or mailing address
Income increases that put the household over 130% of the federal poverty level
An eligible child leaving the home
Changes affecting Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW) participation, such as:
- Transportation needs
- Child care needs
- Other supportive services

Need Help or Have Questions?

Reporting changes and sharing information helps protect your benefits. If something changes or you’re unsure what to report, reach out to your eligibility worker as soon as possible—they’re there to help.