Social Services

As of Oct. 16, 2025, there are 15,339 families, or 47,827 individuals, 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 if a federal appropriations bill is not passed. If there is a disruption to SNAP benefits in the future 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.

Updates:

• On Nov. 7, 2025, the USDA authorized states to issue full SNAP benefits for November. The Virginia Department of Social Services is expected to issue full SNAP benefits for clients during the week of November 10.  
• Virginia Fresh Match (VFM) is launching a Harvest Special, a statewide promotion this November where SNAP customers get $20 in free fruits and vegetables when they shop at a participating farmers market. At participating retail locations, SNAP customers can get 75% off produce from November 19th-26th. No registration is required, just visit a participating location and bring your SNAP card. In Prince William County, the participating location is the Dale City Farmers Market, located at 14090 Gemini Way, Dale City, VA.
• On October 23, Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency, stating that “the Commonwealth will provide food benefits.” This means that the Commonwealth will provide SNAP benefits to all Virginia recipients using state general funds for the month of November.
• On October 28, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted to authorize the County Executive to provide a $1 million donation to be distributed equally to ACTS, Northern Virginia Family Service - SERVE Campus and House of Mercy to address food insecurity in Prince William County contingent upon SNAP benefits not being provided by the federal government or the Commonwealth of Virginia on Dec. 1, 2025.
• Also on October 28, the Governor outlined the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) efforts noting that current SNAP recipients (as of 10/29/2025) will receive a weekly comparable state-supported emergency food assistance payment starting Nov. 5, 2025, based upon existing eligibility for the SNAP program. VENA benefits will be issued via the existing electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card that SNAP recipients currently hold. 

FAQs on VENA (provided by the Commonwealth):

How often will benefits be issued?  

VENA benefits will be issued weekly, not monthly, in hopes the federal shutdown will end soon. For example: If a household normally receives $200 for a monthly benefit, a $50 benefit will be issued on a weekly basis. Recipients and households should adjust to this new schedule and plan accordingly. 

What days of the month will benefits be issued?  

Under normal issuance, SNAP households receive their monthly SNAP benefits at one time on the 1st, 4th or 7th day of the month based upon the first letter of their last name. VENA will be issued on a weekly basis on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday (according to the existing staggered issuance schedule). For example, if:  

• A household that normally receives SNAP benefits on the 1st of the month, will now receive VENA benefits on Monday of each week. 
• A household that normally receives SNAP benefits on the 4th of the month will now receive VENA benefits weekly on Wednesday of each week. 
• A household that normally receives SNAP benefits on the 7th of the month; will now receive VENA benefits weekly on Friday of each week.  

Where are the funds coming from?  

The State of Emergency allows the Governor to expend emergency funds under sum sufficient authority to protect the health, welfare, and safety of Virginians. Due to Virginia's prudent fiscal management we have available budget surplus to reduce disruptions in food access and ensure that Virginia’s families in need remain supported during the federal shutdown. 

How is this emergency initiative different than the existing SNAP program?  

SNAP benefits are funded entirely by the federal government. VENA is a state-run emergency relief effort. To recipients and retailers, this should operate similarly to how SNAP beneficiary households receive their monthly benefit. However, the backend coordination is complex and challenging to set up. 

What about funds that localities typically spend on the administration of the SNAP program?  

The administrative costs of VENA will be paid entirely by the Commonwealth, separate from SNAP.  

The Commonwealth and VDSS are actively collaborating with localities and local departments of social services (LDSS) on managing the administrative costs associated with SNAP during the federal shutdown.  

How long will VENA last?  

The Governor has publicly stated the effort should continue at least through November. This state-supported effort, distinct from SNAP, uses Virginia’s budget surplus to prevent disruptions in food access and ensures Virginia’s families in need remain supported during the federal shutdown. However, this is a stopgap solution: once federal funds for SNAP are authorized and released, VENA assistance effort will end, and SNAP benefits will be fully restored. 
 

Other Things to Know:

• SNAP is funded at the federal level and supervised by the state. Therefore, Prince William County cannot control or change when SNAP funding will be released. For residents of Prince William County, SNAP benefits are managed through the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) and the local Department of Social Services (DSS).
• Anyone experiencing food insecurity or needs assistance due to the government shutdown can visit the county’s Resource Hub for information about available resources.

Accessing SNAP Benefits Statement:

• Online: You can view your EBT card balance and transaction history by creating an account on the ConnectEBT website or by using the ConnectEBT mobile app.
• By phone: Call the Virginia EBT customer service line at 1-866-281-2448. You can check your balance and hear your recent transaction history over the phone.
• At a store: After making a purchase with your EBT card, your remaining balance is typically printed on the receipt. Many stores also have a customer service desk where you can perform a balance inquiry.

Who to Contact:

• DSS/VDSS: Residents can reach out to the Department of Social Services at 703 792-7500 or the VDSS Benefits Hotline at 1-800-552-3431 if they have questions.
• CommonHelp Web Site: Virginia's centralized online portal (commonhelp.virginia.gov) allows you to apply for and manage various social service benefits, including SNAP.

Updates:

• Prince William County is closely monitoring the situation and recently learned that the Commonwealth will provide SNAP benefits to all Virginia recipients using state general funds for the month of November.
• For other available resources for those impacted by the actions of the federal government, visit the county’s Resource Hub.