Last Updated on March 20, 2023 by Anne-Sophie Reinhardt
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides eligible families in Virginia with temporary financial assistance. It provides job training, education, and work activities to help families near or at the poverty level achieve self-sufficiency.
They require most TANF recipients to take part in the Virginia Initiative for Employment, not Welfare (VIEW).
As you undergo the VIEW program, they assist with job search support, crisis intervention, training, educational opportunities, healthcare assistance through Medicaid, child care assistance, transportation, and other supportive services.
FAQs About TANF In Virginia
Who qualifies for TANF in VA?
The eligibility requirements are U.S. national citizenship, legal alien or permanent resident of the state of Virginia, parent/guardian of a child under the age of 19, and underemployed or unemployed.
How do I apply for TANF in Virginia?
You may apply by submitting a signed “Request for Assistance” in person or through email at your local DSS office. On the same day as the assistance request, an eligibility worker will conduct an intake interview.
You may apply online through CommonHelp (you may also apply for other public assistance here, like SNAP).
When you apply for TANF or General Relief, it is considered that you are applying for SNAP unless you request otherwise.
The Diversion Assistance Program provides one-time cash aid instead of long-term ongoing cash aid like TANF.
To know more about this program, call
Department of Social Services
(804) 726-7000
