Social Services

The Public Assistance Division administers timely and accurate income support benefits to income-eligible individuals and families living in Prince William County. These programs assist county residents as they transition from dependency on public assistance to self-sufficiency.

SNAP Updates

 

There are 15,200 families in Prince William County who receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), providing approximately $5.9 million in food assistance to residents in the county each month. If the federal government shutdown continues, there will be an impact to SNAP, meaning those families may not be issued food assistance starting on November 1. Prince William County is closely monitoring the federal appropriations discussion and the potential impact to the community if a federal appropriations bill is not passed by November 1.

On October 23, Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency, stating that “the Commonwealth will provide food benefits.” Prince William County is waiting for guidance from the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) on what that means at the local level.

If there is a disruption due to the lack of available funding, the county’s Department of Social Services (DSS) will work closely with VDSS and local community partners to minimize the impact and will look at all possible options the county has in assisting families.

Read more about the SNAP updates

Medical Assistance

The Medicaid and Family Access to Medical Insurance Security Plan (FAMIS) are medical assistance programs that make direct payments to health care service providers for eligible individuals and families who are unable to pay for needed medical services.

Food Assistance

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides a monthly benefit to eligible individuals and families to supplement the purchase of nutritious foods.

Financial Assistance

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides temporary financial assistance to families with children to help meet their basic needs.

Child Care Subsidy Program

The Child Care Subsidy Program provides financial assistance to low-income, eligible families to help pay a portion of child care costs so families can work or participate in education programs. 

The Virginia Department of Education Child Care website provides a comprehensive repository of resource and information to make choosing safe, quality child care easier for parents. The site also exists to inform caretakers about the benefits of becoming a licensed child care provider or subsidy provider and keep current provider up-to date on the latest news and requirements.

Virginia Department of Education Child Care website

Energy Assistance

The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) provides assistance to eligible low-income households to help meet home heating and/or cooling expenses.

Federal law and the Virginia Human Rights Act, Virginia Code §2.2-2632 et seq., bar discrimination based on age, race, sex, disability, religious creed, national origin, and political belief.
The following civil rights laws apply for SNAP:

• The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, 42 U.S.C. §6101 et seq.
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. §794
• The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq.
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §2000d et seq.

Virginia has established procedures to ensure fair and equitable treatment of applicants and recipients of public assistance. The local department of social services must assure that no person will be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of age, race, color, sex, disability, religious creed, national origin, or political belief.