Virginia Financial Help
Virginia Financial Help, Public Benefits & Court-Related Costs
Statewide directory of public benefits and community organizations that may help with basic needs, rent and utilities, transportation, and in some cases court-related fees or restitution planning. Programs include state DSS benefits, local social services, community action agencies, and legal aid hotlines. OACRA does not handle your case or apply for benefits for you — use this guide to find the right office to contact and questions to ask.
Statewide & Online Tools
Coverage: Statewide (Virginia) and online portals
💳 Statewide Public Benefits & Utilities Help
Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS)
Manages SNAP (food benefits), TANF (cash assistance), child care assistance, and other safety-net programs through local DSS offices.
Manages SNAP (food benefits), TANF (cash assistance), child care assistance, and other safety-net programs through local DSS offices.
Use “Local Agency Directory” to find your DSS
CommonHelp Virginia
Online portal to apply for SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, energy assistance, and to report changes to your case.
Online portal to apply for SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, energy assistance, and to report changes to your case.
Create an account to track your benefits
Virginia Energy Assistance Program
Fuel, crisis, and cooling assistance for eligible households; applications usually filed through local DSS.
Fuel, crisis, and cooling assistance for eligible households; applications usually filed through local DSS.
Ask DSS about current application windows
211 Virginia – Financial & Basic Needs Search
24/7 hotline and online directory to find rent assistance, utilities help, food, and other local programs.
24/7 hotline and online directory to find rent assistance, utilities help, food, and other local programs.
Dial 2-1-1 or search by ZIP code
Virginia Courts – Online Payment & Clerk Contacts
Official court website with links to online payment portals and contact info for clerks’ offices.
Official court website with links to online payment portals and contact info for clerks’ offices.
Search your court, then ask about payment plans
🤝 Statewide Legal & Community Financial Support (confirm with officer)
Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPLC)
Statewide advocacy and support for local legal aid programs; runs hotlines on consumer, debt, and public benefit issues.
Statewide advocacy and support for local legal aid programs; runs hotlines on consumer, debt, and public benefit issues.
Check “Get Help” for hotlines & referrals
Legal Aid Justice Center
Nonprofit law firm with offices in Charlottesville, Richmond, Petersburg, and Northern Virginia. Handles certain civil and driver’s license issues for eligible clients.
Nonprofit law firm with offices in Charlottesville, Richmond, Petersburg, and Northern Virginia. Handles certain civil and driver’s license issues for eligible clients.
Not a public defender – civil issues only
Virginia Legal Aid Programs
Network of regional legal aid offices that may help with eviction, debt collection, and some court cost issues.
Network of regional legal aid offices that may help with eviction, debt collection, and some court cost issues.
Enter your ZIP to find your local office
Local Community Action Agencies
Regional nonprofits that manage some rent/utility help, weatherization, and financial education programs.
Regional nonprofits that manage some rent/utility help, weatherization, and financial education programs.
Ask 211 or DSS which agency covers your county
Northern Virginia
Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria, Loudoun, Prince William & nearby
💳 Local DSS & County Programs
Fairfax County Department of Family Services
Administers SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and some local rent/utility help; also connects to workforce and VIEW programs.
Administers SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and some local rent/utility help; also connects to workforce and VIEW programs.
Ask for “financial or emergency assistance”
Arlington County Department of Human Services
Public benefits office with limited emergency assistance and referrals for residents.
Public benefits office with limited emergency assistance and referrals for residents.
Search “financial assistance” on site
Alexandria Department of Community & Human Services
Handles benefits and short-term emergency help for City of Alexandria residents.
Handles benefits and short-term emergency help for City of Alexandria residents.
Ask about “Emergency Financial Assistance”
🤝 Community & Nonprofit Financial Support (confirm with officer)
Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS)
Provides emergency assistance, rent and utility help, and financial coaching in several NOVA jurisdictions.
Provides emergency assistance, rent and utility help, and financial coaching in several NOVA jurisdictions.
Programs and eligibility vary by county
Britepaths
Nonprofit in Fairfax County offering limited emergency assistance plus budgeting and credit coaching.
Nonprofit in Fairfax County offering limited emergency assistance plus budgeting and credit coaching.
Ask about “Financial Assistance” programs
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington
Emergency financial assistance, food, and case management for eligible households across Northern Virginia.
Emergency financial assistance, food, and case management for eligible households across Northern Virginia.
Check locations & appointment requirements
Central Virginia / Richmond Area
Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover & nearby
💳 Local Social Services & Court Payments
Richmond City Department of Social Services
Administers state benefits and some local emergency help for Richmond residents.
Administers state benefits and some local emergency help for Richmond residents.
Ask about “Emergency Assistance” and SNAP/TANF
Henrico & Chesterfield Social Services
County DSS offices providing benefits and referrals to local rent/utility programs.
County DSS offices providing benefits and referrals to local rent/utility programs.
Find addresses via dss.virginia.gov local directory
Richmond Area Court Clerks
Clerks’ offices for General District and Circuit Courts can explain payment plan options for fines and costs.
Clerks’ offices for General District and Circuit Courts can explain payment plan options for fines and costs.
Use courts.state.va.us to locate your specific court
🤝 Community Financial Help & Legal Aid (confirm with officer)
United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg
Funds and coordinates local financial assistance programs; connects callers to partner agencies.
Funds and coordinates local financial assistance programs; connects callers to partner agencies.
Use 211 or online directory for referrals
Commonwealth Catholic Charities
Provides limited financial assistance, rent and utility help, and case management in several Central Virginia locations.
Provides limited financial assistance, rent and utility help, and case management in several Central Virginia locations.
Check site for “Emergency Assistance”
Central Virginia Legal Aid Society (CVLAS)
Free civil legal services for eligible clients in housing, consumer, and other civil matters.
Free civil legal services for eligible clients in housing, consumer, and other civil matters.
May help if court costs connect to civil cases
Hampton Roads / Tidewater
Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News, Hampton, Portsmouth, Chesapeake & nearby
💳 Local DSS & Utility Assistance
Norfolk Department of Human Services
Provides public benefits and may coordinate emergency assistance programs for Norfolk residents.
Provides public benefits and may coordinate emergency assistance programs for Norfolk residents.
Search for “Human Services” & “Emergency Assistance”
Virginia Beach Department of Human Services
Administers benefits and some crisis assistance; connects to Housing Resource Center programs.
Administers benefits and some crisis assistance; connects to Housing Resource Center programs.
Search “financial assistance” on site
Peninsula Social Services Offices
Newport News, Hampton, and nearby cities run DSS offices for benefits and limited emergency funds.
Newport News, Hampton, and nearby cities run DSS offices for benefits and limited emergency funds.
Use VDSS directory to find each office
🤝 Community Financial Help & Legal Aid (confirm with officer)
STOP Inc. (Southeastern Tidewater Opportunity Project)
Community action agency for South Hampton Roads; offers limited financial assistance, weatherization, and related programs.
Community action agency for South Hampton Roads; offers limited financial assistance, weatherization, and related programs.
Check program list for your city
ForKids
Supports families facing homelessness with shelter, rapid rehousing, and some financial help.
Supports families facing homelessness with shelter, rapid rehousing, and some financial help.
Ask how they handle referrals from probation
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (LASEVA)
Civil legal aid for low-income clients in Hampton Roads (housing, consumer, and other civil matters).
Civil legal aid for low-income clients in Hampton Roads (housing, consumer, and other civil matters).
May help negotiate payment plans in some civil cases
Shenandoah Valley & Northwest
Harrisonburg, Winchester, Staunton & surrounding counties
💳 Local DSS & Basic Needs
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Social Services
Local DSS office handling benefits and occasional emergency funds.
Local DSS office handling benefits and occasional emergency funds.
Contact info via VDSS local agency directory
Winchester & Frederick County Social Services
Public benefits and referrals to local churches/charities for additional help.
Public benefits and referrals to local churches/charities for additional help.
Ask specifically about “emergency assistance”
🤝 Community Action & Relief Funds (confirm with officer)
People Incorporated of Virginia
Community action agency serving parts of the Shenandoah Valley and Southwest; offers limited financial assistance and economic development programs.
Community action agency serving parts of the Shenandoah Valley and Southwest; offers limited financial assistance and economic development programs.
Programs differ by county & funding
Food Pantries & Relief Ministries
Many local churches and nonprofits provide food and small emergency funds.
Many local churches and nonprofits provide food and small emergency funds.
Use 211 or DSS to locate current programs
Blue Ridge Legal Services (BRLS)
Civil legal aid for low-income residents in the Shenandoah Valley region.
Civil legal aid for low-income residents in the Shenandoah Valley region.
May help with housing and debt-related issues
Blue Ridge / Roanoke & Lynchburg
Roanoke, Lynchburg, Charlottesville & surrounding areas
💳 Local DSS & City Support
Roanoke City Department of Social Services
Benefits office for Roanoke City; can advise on energy assistance and local crisis funds.
Benefits office for Roanoke City; can advise on energy assistance and local crisis funds.
Find contact info via VDSS directory
Lynchburg Department of Social Services
Provides public benefits and may help coordinate local financial assistance.
Provides public benefits and may help coordinate local financial assistance.
Ask about special funds or referrals
🤝 Community Action & Reentry-Oriented Programs (confirm with officer)
Total Action for Progress (TAP)
Community action agency offering rent/utility help, workforce services, and some reentry-focused support.
Community action agency offering rent/utility help, workforce services, and some reentry-focused support.
Programs and openings change often
Lynchburg Community Action Group (Lyn-CAG)
May offer rent/utility help and financial education for qualifying households.
May offer rent/utility help and financial education for qualifying households.
Check for “Emergency Assistance” on site
Legal Aid Justice Center – Charlottesville & Roanoke
Handles certain civil and driver’s license issues that may impact employment and finances.
Handles certain civil and driver’s license issues that may impact employment and finances.
Check case types before calling
Southwest Virginia
Bristol, Abingdon, Wise, Tazewell & surrounding rural counties
💳 Local DSS & Utility Programs
County Social Services Offices
Each county administers SNAP, TANF, and energy assistance and may know about local relief funds.
Each county administers SNAP, TANF, and energy assistance and may know about local relief funds.
Use VDSS directory; ask what help is currently funded
Utility Company Hardship Programs
Electric, gas, and water providers sometimes have hardship funds or payment plans.
Electric, gas, and water providers sometimes have hardship funds or payment plans.
Call the number on your bill before you fall behind
🤝 Community Action & Nonprofit Funds (confirm with officer)
People Incorporated of Virginia
Community action agency also serving parts of Southwest; offers housing, economic development, and limited emergency help.
Community action agency also serving parts of Southwest; offers housing, economic development, and limited emergency help.
Call to confirm which counties are covered
Salvation Army & Local Ministries
Many towns have Salvation Army or church-run funds for rent, utilities, or gas vouchers.
Many towns have Salvation Army or church-run funds for rent, utilities, or gas vouchers.
Use 211 or DSS to locate active programs
Court & supervision rules: Assistance programs do not control your payment plans. Only the court or collections office can change due dates or amounts owed. Listing a program here does not mean the court or your officer will approve it – always tell them before you rely on outside help to pay restitution or fines.
Money management tip: Keep a written list of all court-ordered amounts, due dates, and payment receipts. Ask the clerk’s office for a printout or online balance at least a few times a year so you know if you’re on track.
Documentation tip: Save letters showing that you applied for benefits, were approved or denied, and any proof of payments made toward court costs or restitution. These documents can help your officer and attorney explain your efforts to the court if there are delays.
