The Department of Social Services develops and administers programs that provide timely and accurate income support benefits and employment services to families and individuals in Accomack County. These programs assist citizens as they transition from dependency on public assistance programs to self-sufficiency.

Applying for help with food, child care, heating and cooling bills, health care and cash assistance can be done by going to www.commonhelp.virginia.gov or calling (855) 635-4370 to submit a telephonic application. Paper applications may also be submitted by the following means:

Mail:                ACDSS, P.O. Box 210, Accomac, VA 23301

Drop box:         Blue mailbox located in front of our building at 22554 Center Parkway, Accomac

Fax:                  (757) 787-9303

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (833) 620-1071, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant's name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to:

1. mail:
Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
1320 Braddock Place, Room 334
Alexandria, VA 22314; or

2. fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

3. email:
FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

 

SNAP, formerly known as food Stamps, is a program that provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of eligible households. The amount of the benefit is based on income and certain expenses. Eligible households receive a plastic electronic benefit transfer card (EBT card) and a personal identification card (PIN). A SNAP account is established for eligible households and automatic deposits are made into the account each month for the purpose of purchasing food and food products for human consumption.

TANF or temporary assistance to needy families is a program that provides monthly or one-time cash assistance to families with related children that are financially eligible. Participants may be provided with services such as job skills training, work experience, job readiness, child care assistance, transportation, and other work related expenses. This program is designed to enable eligible families to become self-sufficient. There are state and federal limits on the number of months of assistance that can be received.

Medicaid

Virginia Medicaid offers several low-cost and no-cost health coverage programs for eligible children, pregnant women and adults, including individuals with disabilities. Individuals can find more information about income levels and other requirements by visiting www.coverva.org or by calling Accomack County DSS.

Long Term Care Medicaid

Virginia Medicaid covers Long Term Care (LTC) services for qualified individuals who cannot afford the cost of care. LTC services refers to the care of individuals in nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and in the community through home health agencies. Individuals who are in need of LTC services should contact the Accomack County

Department of Social Services at (757) 787-1530 for more information.

 

Energy Assistance

The Energy Assistance Program consists of three separate programs.

  1. Fuel Assistance

    Fuel Assistance helps low-income households with their urgent heating needs such as buying fuel for heating and paying energy bills. Applications are accepted from the 2nd  Tuesday in October through the 2nd Friday in November of each year.

  2. Crisis Assistance

    Crisis Assistance benefits apply to heating emergencies such as connection or re-connection fees, inoperable or unsafe heating equipment, lack of heat and primary heating fuel expenses. Applications are accepted each year from November 1st through March 15th.

  3. Cooling Assistance

Cooling Assistance helps low-income households with payment of their electric bill for the operation of cooling equipment and the repair or replacement of cooling equipment. Applications are accepted from June 15th through August 15th of each year.

Adult Protective Services receives and investigates reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults 60 years of age or older and incapacitated adults age 18 to 59. If protective services are needed and accepted by the individual, local APS workers may arrange appropriate services to stop the mistreatment or prevent further mistreatment. Services may also be arranged for individuals in emergency situations who lack the capacity to consent to services. To report suspected adult abuse, neglect,  or exploitation call Accomack County Dept. of Social Services at 757-787-1530 or the 24 hour, toll-free APS hotline at (888) 832-3858.

 

Child Welfare Unit

The Child Welfare Unit consists of Child Protective Services (CPS), Foster Care, Resource Families, Foster care and CPS prevention. Child Protective Services workers investigate cases of abuse and neglect and reach a disposition of founded or unfounded. Services are offered to founded dispositions. CPS workers complete Family Assessments referrals and determine if the referrals are substantiated or unsubstantiated. Services are offered for substantiated dispositions, as needed. CPS workers are on call 24/7 and can be reached after hours by contacting the local

Sheriff’s department at (757) 787-1131 or the state hotline. 1-800-552-7096.

Foster care services are provided for children that have been removed from their families. The primary goal is to reunite children with their family. If this is not possible, children are placed in a temporary home and services provided to them and their parents in an effort to resolve the issue that brought the child into care and provide a safe environment for the child upon return to the home. Foster care workers recruit and train families interested in becoming fostering/resource families.

Foster children that are not able to return home, or be placed with relatives, are placed for adoption. Adoption services are provided to these children and their adoptive families.

CPS prevention services are offered to monitor high risk CPS referrals. Foster care prevention services are offered to prevent children from entering foster care.

Applications for Members Helping Members (for help with power bills) and AICC (Accomack Interfaith Crisis Council), for help with emergency needs, are accepted on Tuesday mornings, at 8:30, until they meet the quota for the day.

 

At-Risk Youth and Families of Accomack County

*What is the Children’s Services Act for At-Risk Youth and Families?*

The Children’s Services Act for At-Risk Youth and Families (CSA) is a law that
was enacted in 1993 that establishes a single state pool of funds to
purchase services for at-risk youth and their families. The state funds,
combined with local community funds, are managed by local interagency teams who plan and oversee services to youth.


*Who is eligible for services?*

Youth who have been identified as needing
services to prevent foster care placement; or are in foster care; or having
serous emotional or behavior problems beyond the resource of the
appropriate agency; or need specialized education services; or are under
the supervision of the Juvenile Court.


*The Eastern Shore Community Policy and Management Team*

(CPMT) is the supervising team that coordinates agency efforts, manages available funds, and oversees the administration of the CSA program.

*The Family Assessment and Planning Team*

(FAPT) looks at the strengths and needs of the individual youth and families, decides what services to provide, and prepares a service plan with the input from families. The team consist of representatives of Social Services, Community Services Board, Juvenile Court, Public Schools, Health Department as well as a private provider and a parent representative.

For information, or to make a referral, in Accomack or Northampton County,
contact Rudy Zavala, CSA Coordinator at rudy.zavala@dss.virginia.gov Phone: 787-5375 CSA State Website - www.csa.virginia.gov

 

Shelter requirements

Accomack County DSS is responsible for manning shelters in the event of a disaster.  Announcements will be made to the public if a shelter is opened.  If you need to go to a shelter during a disaster, please bring the following items for your family; identification; face masks; personal prescriptions/medications; bedding (sleeping bag, pillow, air mattress etc.); water and non- perishable food for three days; change of clothing; personal hygiene items (tooth brush, toothpaste, deodorant, diapers); flashlight; phone charger; and entertainment (games, books, cards).