Virginia is a state that is essentially known as the birthplace of modern America. It’s where it all began and there have been numerous presidents come out of the state. The cost of living in Virginia is right in line with the average around the country, with the housing costs being slightly more than other areas. There are over 8.6 million people who call the state home, and at times some of them may experience financial hardships. When this happens it is important to know there are programs offering financial help for African Americans in Virginia.
When financially challenging periods are being experienced it is important to turn to programs that can help meet basic needs. The programs offering financial help for African Americans in Virginia will help you get by and make ends meet, while you strive for self-sufficiency. Most are designed to provide short term assistance, while others will let people receive the benefit for a longer period.
Being able to ensure your needs are being met may require getting help from multiple programs, which is allowed. Be sure to apply for all the programs you feel qualified for, so that you are able to get help with obtaining food, shelter, bill payment assistance, etc. The assistance that you receive is not considered a loan, so you never have to pay it back. It’s considered a gift to help people in the community. To qualify for most programs, you have to have a low income and be a citizen or legal non-citizen.
Financial Help for African Americans in Virginia
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – This program focuses on ensuring that people have their food needs met. The program used to be called food stamps, but was changed to SNAP. The program will provide financial help for African Americans in Virginia by providing those who qualify with a way to purchase food each month. Those who are approved for the program will be able given a debit-style card, called an EBT card that can be used to pay for groceries each month at the store or farmer’s market. The federal government electronically adds your financial benefit to the card each month. The amount you receive is determined by how many dependents you have in your household, and there is no limit to how long you can receive help through SNAP. To get more information or apply, click here.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – This program provides those who qualify with monthly cash benefit. The cash can be used to pay for living expenses, including housing, food, transportation, and paying bills. The amount you receive depends on how many dependents you have. This program is for families, so they do require that you have at least one minor child that you are caring for. Some people may be required to participate in work-related training programs to continue receiving the TANF benefit. They will also provide emergency assistance for those who need immediate help. To get more information or apply for the program, click here.
Medicaid – This program provides financial help for African Americans in Virginia by helping to cover the costs of healthcare. Those who are approved will be able to get free visits to the doctor, dentist, hospital, and obtain prescription drugs. There is no limit to how long you can receive help through this program. To qualify, you have to meet the low income requirements and be a citizen or legal non-citizen. To get more information or apply for Medicaid in Virginia, click here.
Energy Assistance – This program provides those who qualify with energy assistance, which means they will help pay your bills. The types of assistances they offer includes paying for bills that are for heating, cooling, and crisis situations. Those who are approved for the program will have their energy bill paid, with the funds being sent directly to the provider on your behalf. You will have to re-apply for this program each year that you need the assistance. To get more information or apply, click here.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – This program provides financial help for African Americans in Virginia by helping with housing issues. They are a federally-funded agency that provides a variety of programs to help meet the housing needs of people who have a low income. Some of the things HUD will do for those who qualify is to help pay rent, avoid foreclosure, provide weatherization services, and pay for necessary home repairs, such as to the heating or cooling unit. They also own housing units that they allow people to live in for free. To qualify for help, you have to have a low income and be a citizen or legal non-citizen. To get more information about HUD in Virginia, click here.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) – This program offers nutritional assistance to women who are pregnant or have a child ages five and under. You also have to have a low income. Those who qualify will receive healthy food items each month. They also provide baby formula and breast feeding support services. To apply for WIC you have to visit one of their clinics in person. To find a location near you, click here.
Catholic Charities – This organization is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, but they don’t expect those they help to be religious. They provide helpful services to those in the community who are experiencing financial hardship. They will provide food, shelter, clothing, and more. They have over 3,000 locations in the country. To find a location near you, click here.
Salvation Army – This faith-based organization provides programs that offer financial help for African Americans in Virginia. The programs they offer include free hot meals, shelters, and bags of food, clothing, counseling, case management services, and more. They will also help with paying bills. They are also able to help many people obtain small appliances and household goods. To get more information, contact a location near you. To find a location, click here.