Promising Practices - Virginia

Virginia – The Department of Social Services developed an on-line eligibility screening tool for the Food Stamp Program and seven other programs, and an on-line nutrition services application, go to www.dss.state.va.us , then click on Am I Eligible for Assistance? For more information, contact: Angela Beachy, Virginia Department of Social Services, 804-726-7374, angela.beachy@dss.virginia.gov .

Virginia – The Richmond City Department of Social Services offers several satellite offices in each section of the city as well as in area hospitals. Customers are able to apply at any site or have an application mailed out to them. Homeless customers can access services and benefits by using the mailing address of the local office. Home visits are made to elderly applicants to assist them in making an application. Home visits or telephone interviews are available to all customers if they are too ill to come to the office or do not have an authorized representative. For more information, contact: Doris Ryan, Richmond City Department of Social Services, 804-646-4110.

Virginia –Staff of the Richmond City Department of Social Services participate in community and health fairs to provide information about the Food Stamp Program. They maintain a friendly presence in the community by volunteering time in the schools and helping with donations of supplies, mittens and other items for needy families. For more information, contact: Doris Ryan, Richmond City Department of Social Services, 804-646-4110.

Virginia – Either a bilingual eligibility specialist or customer service representative of the Richmond City Department of Social Services takes Food Stamp Program applications and verifications and answers questions twice a month at a nearby apartment complex where more than 90 percent of the tenants speak Spanish. The agency conducts its business in an unused apartment and advertises the availability of its services in the rental office. They also have bilingual eligibility specialists at its Southside Office to assist customers in this location where the majority of Spanish-speaking reside. Speaking the language of potential customers helps them to feel comfortable and relaxed. For more information, contact: Michael Muse, Manager, 804-646-3178, musemj@ci.richmond.va.us.

Virginia – A day or two before each recertification interview, the Newport News Department of Social Services calls its customers to remind them of the date and time they had selected previously for the interview. This customer service technique, similar to what is used by many doctors’ offices, increases access to the Food Stamp Program and more likely enables customers to continue receiving benefits without interruption. Offices with a high “no-show” rate for interviews may consider piloting this activity in several units and evaluating results for effectiveness. For more information, contact: Angela Ricks, Senior Supervisor, 757-926-6119, adr700@eastern.dss.state.va.us.

Last modified: 04/30/2009