Public Assistance and Employment Services

CONTACT INFORMATION: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Multiple Locations - Main Office: 12011 Government Center Parkway, Pennino Building
Fairfax, VA 22035
Lisa Tatum
Director

Department Resources

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SNAP Updates

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Nueva orientación para cubrir los beneficios de SNAP de noviembre

Important SNAP Updates

(Updated November 10, 2025, 9:30 a.m.)

Following new federal guidance, Virginia Department of Social Services anticipates that partial benefits of up to 65% will be issued to all eligible SNAP households by Thursday, November 13.

This partial federal payment is in addition to the 25% state-funded VENA payment that households have already received.

  • Based on this new guidance from the USDA, VENA payments have been stopped effective November 9.
  • Unused SNAP and VENA benefits may be used.
  • If there are questions, participants can call the number on the back of their card or VDSS Constituent Services at 804-726-7000.

The Virginia Department of Social Services will continue to provide updates on the federal government shutdown and its impact on SNAP recipients as information becomes available.

Learn more

Tips for SNAP Participants: 

  • Unused benefits from October or prior months that remain on EBT cards may be used.
  • Check your EBT card balance before you shop: 
    • Download the ConnectEBT app for free from Apple or Google app stores and check your balance. 
    • Visit ConnectEBT and select Virginia EBT from the dropdown box. 
    • Swipe your card at the Point-of-Sale device in store, enter your PIN, and do a balance inquiry. 
    • Call 1-866-281-2448, enter the 16 digit number on your card, and hear the balance inquiry. 
  • Protect your benefits from fraud by locking your card after each purchase with the ConnectEBT app. Download the app for free from Apple and Google app stores.   
  • Do not give your EBT card, card number, password, or PIN to anyone not authorized to use your card. 
  • For questions about SNAP or VENA benefits, call the number on the back of your EBT card or VDSS Constituent Services at 804-726-7000. 

Resources

We recognize this may cause significant challenges for many of our SNAP households. Fairfax County is committed to supporting our community through these uncertain times. Resources are available if you need food or other financial assistance:

SNAPSince SNAP is funded at the federal level and supervised by the state, Fairfax County cannot control or change when SNAP funding will be released. At this time, it is unclear whether benefits will be issued retroactively once the shutdown ends.

As of now, other public assistance programs such as Child Care Assistance and Referral (CCAR) and Medical Assistance (Medicaid) are not affected. We do not have updated guidance from the state about impacts to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits.

This page will be updated with new impacts to SNAP if the federal government shutdown continues. 

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