I am often contacted by constituents who need emergency assistance due to a financial crisis. Below is a list of local government agencies and organizations that can help folks in need.
LOCAL COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES OFFICES
Below is a list of local Social Services offices, these offices administer federal, state and local public assistance and social work service programs. Financial and social services assistance include: Fuel and Energy Assistance (Heating, Cooling and Crisis), Medical Assistance (Medicaid), Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare. They also assist with SNAP and TANF programs.
City of Fredericksburg -http://www.financialhelpresources.com/details/fredericksburg_department_of_social_services.html
Caroline - https://co.caroline.va.us/278/Social-Services-Department
Essex - http://www.essex-virginia.org/county_government/departments_and_services/social_services/
Fauquier - http://www.fauquiercounty.gov/government/departments-h-z/social-services/phone-and-email-directory
Gloucester - http://www.gloucesterva.info/SocialServices
James City - http://www.jamescitycountyva.gov/290/Social-Services
King and Queen - http://www.kingandqueenco.net/html/Govt/socser.html
King George – https://www.kinggeorgecountyva.gov/222/Social-Services
King William - http://kingwilliamcounty.us/departments-and-services/social-services/
Lancaster - http://www.financialhelpresources.com/details/lancaster_county_department_of_social_services.html
Mathews - http://www.co.mathews.va.us/departments-services/social-services
Middlesex - http://www.co.middlesex.va.us/index_socialServices.html
New Kent - http://www.co.new-kent.va.us/index.aspx?nid=339
Northumberland - https://www.countyoffice.org/va-northumberland-county-social-services/
Prince William - http://www.pwcgov.org/government/dept/socialservices/pages/about%20us.aspx
Richmond County - http://www.co.richmond.va.us/departments/social-services
Spotsylvania - http://www.spotsylvania.va.us/content/20925/21007/
Stafford - http://co.stafford.va.us/889/Social-Services
Westmoreland - https://www.westmoreland-county.org/social-services
York – https://www.yorkcounty.gov/159/Social-Services
Below is a list of local government and non- profit organizations that also provide emergency assistance to constituents in need:
Catholic Charities – provides counseling, emergency financial assistance, family transitional housing, jobs ministry, food pantry, migration and refugee services, immigration services and senior services.
Catholic Charities Arlington Diocese: http://www.ccda.net/programs.php; Catholic Charities Richmond Diocese: http://cccofva.org/;
The United Way provides many services including but not limited to free tax preparation, free financial coaching, assistance with reducing costs of prescription medication, free, access to information and referrals for health services, assistance with homelessness.
The Rappahannock United Way serves the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford. https://www.rappahannockunitedway.org/
The United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg serves Hanover, Henrico and Chesterfield counties. http://www.yourunitedway.org/
Quin Rivers -mission is to strengthen individual, family, and community development to eliminate poverty and build self-sufficiency. They provide services to veterans, as well as homeless prevention, micro loans and other assistance. https://quinrivers.org/
Salvation Army – provide housing and homeless assistance, housing and homeless assistance, hunger relief, grocery and food assistance and utility assistance. http://virginiasalvationarmy.org/how-we-help/
Virginia Cares Uninsured Program – a free program in partnership with the Patient Advocate Foundation and the Commonwealth of Virginia for those who are uninsured and are having access to healthcare issues. 1-800-532-5274 or http://pafcares.org/
HOUSING ASSISTANCE
Virginia Housing Development Authority – a free service by the state of Virginia that helps veterans and Virginians find a home to fit your needs and budget. http://virginiahousingsearch.com/
Veteran Housing and Homeless Services – the federal Department of Veterans Affairs Homeless Hotline at 1-877-424-3838;
USDA Section 504 loans and grants – provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes or grants to elderly very-low income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards. https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-repair-loans-grants
Central Virginia Housing Coalition – a private non-profit that provides affordable housing opportunities to low income families through coalition, education, counseling and financial assistance. CVHC also can provide financial assistance for rent, security deposit or mortgage payment. Also provide counseling for budget, homeownership, rental and credit concerns. Serves the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford. They also offer housing assistance in Fauquier County.
Contact information: 208 Hudgins Road; Fredericksburg 22408; (540) 604-9943
http://centralvahousing.org/
Legal Assistance
disAbility Law Center – protection and advocacy for Virginians with disabilities. An advocate is on duty Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday s 8:30am-4pm. 800-552-3962; http://dlcv.org/
Legal Services Corporation – provides financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans. https://lsc.gov/
Legal assistance for veterans – this link contains a listing of state and national legal services for veterans. https://www.dvs.virginia.gov/virginia-veteran-and-family-support-2/resources/legal
Virginia State Bar Pro Bono/Access to Legal Services - an agency of the Supreme Court of Virginia, provides Virginians of modest means with information about pro bono legal services. http://www.vsb.org/site/pro_bono
Tax Assistance
Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) – a program that assists low income individuals who have a tax dispute with the IRS. LITCs can represent you before the IRS or in court on audits, appeals, tax collection matters and other tax disputes. Also provides services to taxpayers who are who speak English as a second language (ESL). LITC services are free or low cost for eligible taxpayers.
https://www.irs.gov/advocate/low-income-taxpayer-clinics/low-income-taxpayer-clinic-income-eligibility-guidelines
LITC map https://taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/about/litc
The Community Tax Law Project – provides free legal help to Virginia’s low wage families and individuals experiencing economic harm because of a tax problem.
http://ctlp.org/index.php?/about_ctlp/
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) -- offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS – certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electron filing to qualified individuals.
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-you-by-volunteers
Tax Counsel for the Elderly (TCE) – offers free tax tax help for all taxpayers, particularly those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-you-by-volunteers
Veterans Assistance
Virginia Department of Veterans Affairs, https://www.dvs.virginia.gov/
Disabled American Veterans- Virginia, https://www.virginiadav.org/
City of Fredericksburg, Counties: Stafford, King George, Spotsylvania and Caroline
S.E.R.V.E. – provides emergency assistance to residents of Stafford county in the form of food pantry assistance, financial assistance and prescription assistance. http://www.serve-helps.org/
Salvation Army – provides disaster services, emergency assistance, housing and homeless services, adult rehabilitation and hunger relief. http://virginiasalvationarmy.org/fredericksburgva/
Rappahannock Area Health District – provides medical, environmental and public health services to residents of the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford. http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/rappahannock/
Moss Free Clinic – provides medical and dental care at no charge to low-income and uninsured adults primarily through the use of volunteer health care professionals and partnerships with other health providers. Serves the following areas: City of Fredericksburg, counties of Caroline, King George, http://mossfreeclinic.org/
Fredericksburg Christian Health Center – a nonprofit organization that serves those who cannot afford medical care. Serves the following areas: City of Fredericksburg, counties of Spotsylvania, Stafford, Orange, King George, Caroline and Westmoreland. http://www.fchc.us/
Catholic Charities – provides family counseling services, baby closet (diapers, wipes, formula, bottles, baby food), migration and refugee services. Serves city of Fredericksburg and counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, Westmoreland, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, Orange, Madison, Culpeper and Fauquier. http://www.ccda.net/programs_fredericksburg.php
Fredericksburg Food Bank – distributes food to the hungry and working poor as well as a mobile pantry program for rural and remote communities. Food for Life program provides low-income elderly individuals (60 and over) with a box of nutritious food each month. Serves the city of Fredericksburg, counties of Stafford, Caroline, Spotsylvania and King George. http://www.fredfood.org/
Micah Ecumenical Services – Group of downtown Fredericksburg congregations. They serve the chronically homeless by providing a cold weather shelter during the winter and provide a hospitality center in the spring to assist with basic needs. Provides connection to community resources, mental health outreach, disability application assistance, post-hospital respite care, supportive employment, educational advancement, housing placement and re-creation of the support systems necessary for people to stabilize outside of their present crisis. http://www.micahfredericksburg.org/
St. Vincent de Paul Society – helps provide the following necessities: clothing, food, medicine, rent, utility bill payments, other financial needs. Serves the following areas: City of Fredericksburg and the following counties: Spotsylvania, Stafford, King George and Caroline. http://stvdpfredericksburg.com/
Thurman Brisben Homeless Shelter – provides at-risk and homeless men, women and children with shelter and services to affect positive life changes. Serves the following area: City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford. http://www.brisbencenter.org/
Rappahannock Area Community Services Board – provides mental health services, intellectual disability services, substance abuse services, prevention and early intervention services. http://www.racsb.state.va.us/
Healthy Generations Area Agency on Aging – a non-profit organization that provides services to support the continued independence, safety, and health and wellness of older persons and their families. http://raaa16.org/
The disABILITY Resource Center of the Rappahannock Area – a non-profit center for independent living working to enable people of all disabilities of all ages to reach their greatest potential of independent living. http://www.cildrc.org/
FAUQUIER COUNTY
Fauquier, People Helping People (financial assistance): http://www.fauquierphp.com/?page_id=43
Fauquier Food Bank: http://fauquierfoodbank.org/
Emergency Shelter Fauquier County (only one in the county): http://www.fauquierfamilyshelter.org
Rappahannock-Rapidan Community Services Board (mental health, substance abuse, and aging services) - serving Fauquier County: https://www.rrcsb.org/
Fauquier Free Clinic (health clinic serving people with no insurance): http://www.fauquierfreeclinic.org/
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY
ACTS Prince William County – homeless shelter, emergency financial assistance, sexual assault resources, domestic violence resources, suicide related support: https://www.actspwc.org/
Good Shepherd Housing: - provides housing for vulnerable individuals and families with low income, particularly those who struggle with mental illness. http://goodshepherdhousing.org/
Prince William Area Free Clinic: http://pwafc.org/
Greater Prince William Community Health Center: http://gpwhealthcenter.org/
Prince William Community Services Board: http://www.pwcgov.org/government/dept/cs/pages/default.aspx
Capital Area Food Bank (serving Prince William): https://www.capitalareafoodbank.org
Salvation Army – provides support to the working poor, homeless and low income in the community. They have an emergency assistance includes help with rent, utility bills, food and many other services. http://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/prince_william_county_salvation.html
St. Vincent de Paul Society Alternative Loan Program – (in partnership with Apple Federal Credit Union) Persons who qualify will be eligible for a loan of up to $1000 to escape debt due to a payday loan. Loans are also available for people who will put the capital towards a business opportunity. For information about the Alternative Loan Program. For more information, please contact Our Lady of Angels, Woodbridge at (703) 494-2444/5015 or All Saints Church, Manassas at (703) 368-4500.
St. Vincent de Paul Society - provides assistance for people who need help with food, shelter, clothing, medical care, rent, housing utilities or medical bills. http://svdparlington.org/ (Arlington Diocese);
HANOVER
Financial assistance for individuals-Hanover/Ashland
Emergency Services - Ashland, Ashland Christian Emergency Services (A.C.E.S.)- Financial Assistance, rent, medications, and utilities. Requires cut off notices and eviction notice for rent.
804-798-2784. www.aceshanover.org
Catholic Charities - (804) 285-5986 Food Pantry operates Tuesday-Thursday 9AM-12Noon. Serves all age groups living in Richmond, Henrico, Hanover, Chesterfield, and Powhatan.
Salvation Army of Central VA (804) 225-7470 Serving Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, and Richmond (Food)
Hanover Safe Place-Food Pantry, 629A North Washington Highway Ashland VA, 23005, Phone: 804-752-2728
Richmond, Commonwealth Catholic Charities: 511 West Grace Street Richmond VA 23220, (804)648-4177
Richmond Rapid Re-Housing Services, St. Joseph's Villa (serving Hanover)- rapid re-housing assistance. 804-553-3259 (Intake)8000 Brook Road
Richmond, VA 23227
www.cccofva.org
NEW KENT
Housing/homeless assistance
Proclaiming grace outreach at Tabernacle United Methodist (has food pantry and clothing)
P.O Box 121 Tabernacle Road
Barhamsville, VA 23011
PH: 757-566-0659
Quin Rivers Homeless Intervention Program (HIP)
10718 Ballantraye Dr. Suite 402
Fredericksburg, VA 22407
PH: 540-479-4363
Commonwealth Catholic Charities-804-648-4177 (Homeless Point of Entry)
Food Pantries-New Kent
WILLIAMSBURG/GLOUCESTER
Financial Aid-Williamsburg and Gloucester
United Way Greater Williamsburg-113 Palace Ln Suite F, Williamsburg, VA 23185, (757) 253-2264
Salvation Army of Greater Williamsburg- 151 Kristiansand Dr #109, Williamsburg, VA 23188- Phone: (757) 229-6651
Salvation Army Gloucester-7057 Linda Cir, Hayes, VA 23072- Phone: (804) 642-3443
Food-Williamsburg
Williamsburg, Salvation Army Williamsburg Corps- Food Pantry
Address:151 Kristiansand Drive Suite 115 Williamsburg VA 23188- Phone:(757)229-6651
Williamsburg, Saint Bede Outreach Center-Williamsburg House of Mercy10 Harrison Avenue
Williamsburg, VA 23185 - 757-253-0664
Provides financial assistance, homeless prevention and assistance, food, and diapers. Case Advocates provide confidential assistance and counseling. Call for an appointment. Food and diapers available once a month without an appointment.
Family Shelter- Norfolk, Central Intake, ForKids
Address: 4200 Colley Avenue Suite A Norfolk VA 23503- Phone:(757)622-6400
Natasha House (Yorktown)- for women and children seeking transitional residency 757) 898-1993 http://natashahouse.org/
Menchville House Ministries, Inc.- Newport News, VA 23609, 757-833-5980
18 month homeless shelter for up to 16 women and 30 children where residents are offered programs to help them return to self-sufficiency. Must be drug and alcohol free and look for work, pay HUD mandated rent.
H.E.L.P. Inc. - Hampton Roads Ecumenical Lodgings and Provisions, Inc - Hampton, VA, (757) 727-2577
http://www.helpushelpu.org/
King and Queen County
Central Virginia Food Bank: https://feedmore.org/
Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck Community Services Board: http://www.mpnncsb.org./
Northern Neck
Essex County Homeless Organization (their website doesn’t work, this is their Facebook page): https://www.apps.prod.facebook.com/804echo/
Northern Neck Food Bank (serving Essex, Richmond, Lancaster, Northumberland, Westmoreland, Middlesex): http://www.nnfb.org/pantries/
Middle Peninsula-Northern Neck Community Services Board: http://www.mpnncsb.org./
Tappahannock Free Clinic: http://tappahannockfreeclinic.org/
Lancaster Health Department (no website available): 804-462-5197
Northumberland County Homeless Services: http://www.northumberlandcounty.ca/en/departments_communitysocialservices/css_homelessnessservices.asp
Central Virginia Food Bank: https://feedmore.org/food-bank
