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The Economic Support and Independence Division focuses on promoting economic stability and
independence for single adults and families.
Auxiliary Grants (AG)
Provide short-term supplemental income to individuals who are receiving Aged, Blind, and
Disabled or Long Term Care services.
Child Care
Provides financial assistance for child care to families with children.
Children's Health Insurance (FAMIS)
Provides Virginia health insurance for children under the age of 19, living in families that
earn too much to qualify for Medicaid.
Emergency Assistance (EA)
Provides short-term, limited financial assistance to individuals and families with children
following a fire, natural disaster, or housing crisis.
Energy Assistance
Provides financial assistance to households with immediate heating and cooling needs.
General Relief (GR)
Provides financial emergency assistance for services that are not covered by other means.
Medicaid
Covers the costs of doctor visits, hospital care, mental health, prescriptions, and other
medical services. RDSS evaluates eligibility and provides many different forms of Medicaid,
such as Aged Blind or Disabled, Long Term Care, Medicaid Part D Costs, Savings Program,
Pregnant, and FAMIS (children's health insurance).
Refugee Assistance
Provides the same assistance programs as United States citizens, including Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Formerly known as Food Stamps, SNAP provides nutrition assistance to low-income
individuals and families in the form of an Electronic Benefit Transfer Card.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment Training (SNAPET)
Provides job readiness training and support.
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
Provides families with eligible children a monthly cash payment to meet their basic needs.
Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare (VIEW)
Provides job training, work experience, and skills, as well as a caseworker to help
participants gain employment.
Keeping Citizens Informed!