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

The programs include Child Care Assistance, Food Assistance (SNAP - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Cash Assistance (TANF - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), Medical Assistance Programs, and LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program). LIHEAP consists of three components: Fuel Assistance, Crisis Assistance and Cooling Assistance. Within the SNAP and TANF programs, the Department of Social Services also administers the VIEW (Virginia Initiative for Education and Work) and SNAPET (SNAP Employment and Training) programs.

To learn more and/or apply for these programs, you may visit www.commonhelp.virginia.gov, call the Enterprise Call Center at (833) 5CALLVA, or visit Pittsylvania County Social services for a paper application.

Benefits and services are provided without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, sex, age, political beliefs, religion, sexual orientation, marital or family status.

If you have a disability or if you have difficulty with English, you may get extra help to make sure you get the assistance or services you need.

To report fraud, call 800-552-3431 or call the Pittsylvania County Dept. of Social Services at 434-432-7281.