If you are affected by the Federal Government Shutdown, here are Virginia-based resources available to you right now. This guide keeps things simple: manage cash flow, secure food and health coverage, keep your utilities on, and protect your housing.
NOTE: This information is gathered from public internet sources. Programs change; always click through, confirm details, and beware of scams (no fees to apply for SNAP, Medicaid, UI, housing, or 2-1-1). If something looks off, call the official numbers on the linked sites to verify before sharing personal info. This is not legal, financial, or life advice; seek licensed professionals for help.
🕐 What to do first (10-minute plan)
- Cash flow triage: File or reopen your Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim through the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) at vec.virginia.gov, and certify weekly through your online account.
- Food & health coverage: Apply for SNAP (Food Assistance), TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), and Medicaid through the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) or CommonHelp portal. Check eligibility for WIC through the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).
- Keep the heat and lights on: Apply for LIHEAP (Energy Assistance Program) or Fuel Crisis Assistance through VDSS or your local Community Action Agency. Contact Dominion Energy, Appalachian Power, or Virginia Natural Gas for hardship programs.
- Housing stability: Find rental, mortgage, and eviction-prevention help through the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) and HUD Virginia.
- One-stop referrals: Dial 2-1-1 Virginia or visit 211virginia.org for local assistance with food, utilities, legal services, and crisis support.
🔗 Links & Resources (Virginia)
Income & Jobs
Virginia Employment Commission (VEC):
🔗 https://www.vec.virginia.gov/
File or Reopen Claim (UI):
🔗 https://www.vec.virginia.gov/unemployed
Virginia Workforce Connection (Job Search):
🔗 https://www.vawc.virginia.gov/
Food Access
SNAP (Food Assistance):
🔗 https://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/snap.cgi
Apply via CommonHelp:
🔗 https://commonhelp.virginia.gov/
WIC (Women, Infants & Children):
🔗 https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/wic/
Feeding America Southwest Virginia:
🔗 https://www.faswva.org/
Virginia Peninsula Foodbank:
🔗 https://hrfoodbank.org/
Health Coverage
Medicaid & FAMIS:
🔗 https://coverva.org/
Apply via CommonHelp:
🔗 https://commonhelp.virginia.gov/
Community Health Centers:
🔗 https://www.vacommunityhealth.org/find-a-health-center/
Heat, Utilities & Weatherization
LIHEAP / Energy Assistance:
🔗 https://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/ea/
Weatherization Assistance Program:
🔗 https://dhcd.virginia.gov/weatherization-assistance-program
Dominion Energy Assistance:
🔗 https://www.dominionenergy.com/virginia/billing/billing-options/energyshare
Appalachian Power Payment Assistance:
🔗 https://www.appalachianpower.com/account/bills/pay/assistance
Virginia Natural Gas Assistance:
🔗 https://virginianaturalgas.com/billing-payment/payment-assistance
Housing
Virginia Housing (VHDA):
🔗 https://www.virginiahousing.com/
HUD Virginia:
🔗 https://www.hud.gov/states/virginia
Rental & Mortgage Help:
🔗 https://www.virginiahousingsearch.com/
One-stop referrals
2-1-1 Virginia:
🔗 https://211virginia.org/
Community Action Partnership of Virginia:
🔗 https://www.vacap.org/
Legal Help
Virginia Legal Aid Society:
🔗 https://vlas.org/
Legal Aid Justice Center:
🔗 https://www.justice4all.org/
Blue Ridge Legal Services:
🔗 https://www.brls.org/
Disability Law Center of Virginia:
🔗 https://dlcv.org/
Crafted by JobsInMyState.com in support of fellow Americans.