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Social Services

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1. Where is the Fredericksburg Department of Social Services located?

We are located in the Bass-Ellison Building at 608 Jackson St Suite 100; Fredericksburg, VA 22401.

2. What are the hours of operation?

We are open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm unless closed in observance of a city holiday.

3. Do I contact the Fredericksburg Department of Social Services for issues regarding Child Support?

No, in Virginia, child support issues are handled through the Division of Child Support Enforcement. The Division of Child Support Enforcement is located at 2342 Plank Rd., Fredericksburg, VA, and can be reached by phone at 1-800-468-8894. Please click the following link to visit their website. Virginia Division of Child Support Enforcement

4. My address is in Fredericksburg. Does that mean I am a city resident?

Not necessarily. Fredericksburg encompasses the City of Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. The Fredericksburg Department of Social Services supports residents located in the 22401 zip code only. You may check online to see if you are a city resident at the link below.

Zip Code lookup

5. How do I contact my case worker?

You would call the main number, 540-372-1032, and follow the automated system prompts.

6. If I move to Fredericksburg from another Virginia locality, will my benefits transfer?

Yes. It is your responsibility to notify your current caseworker of your change in residency.

7. How do I report child abuse or neglect?

During normal business hours, contact the Fredericksburg Department of Social Services by calling (540) 940-2401. If the office is closed, please contact the State Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline at 1-800-552-7096.

8. How do I report adult abuse or neglect?

During normal business hours, contact the Fredericksburg Department of Social Services by calling (540) 940-2401. If the office is closed, please contact the state Hotline at 1-888-83ADULT (1-888-832-3858).

9. How do I learn more about becoming a foster parent?

Contact Beajor Stoddart-Johnson with the Fredericksburg Department of Social Services by calling (540) 372-1032 x241.

10. Is a resource family the same as a foster family?

Yes and no. All of our Resource Families are trained to become foster-to-adopt families. Both a Resource Family and a foster family provide temporary substitute care for children who cannot remain in their homes. The ultimate goal is always to find permanency for a child. The goal of reunifying a child with birth parents or prior custodian is, in most cases the best plan for a child. If it is determined that it is not likely that the child can be returned to his or her prior family within a reasonable amount of time, then other opportunities are explored. These include placing the child with relatives for either adoption or custody transfer or if those are not viable options, adoption by a non-relative. Because Resource Families are trained to be foster-to-adopt families, a foster placement has potential to become an adoptive placement.

11. How long does the certification process take?

The certification process to become a Resource Family for the City of Fredericksburg involves a 30 hour PRIDE Foster to Adopt training, as well as a background check, fingerprinting and home study. It takes approximately 60 days to complete the process.

12. Can I choose the child I want?

Children come into the care of the Fredericksburg Department of Social Services because of abuse and/or neglect from their caretakers. Fredericksburg Resource Families places each child with a family who can best meet their specific needs.

13. After I complete the certification process, how long is the wait before I get a placement?

When a child comes into care, the needs of the child are matched with a family who can best meet the specific needs of the child. Because we strive to meet the needs of each individual child, a resource family may wait a few months for a placement.

14. Can a single adult be a resource parent?

Yes. The Fredericksburg Resource Families Foster to Adopt Program does not require someone to be married, and in fact has several wonderful single parent homes available for the children who come into our care.

15. Can we foster and/or adopt if we are living together without being married?

A couple who is living together can be foster parents. Should the child not be able to be reunified with their biological family, then the children may be adopted by only one of the persons in the relationship.

16. Is there financial assistance for resource families?

There is a stipend that a resource family receives each month. The age of the child determines the amount of the stipend. The stipend includes a portion that is to be used for room and board, clothing, personal needs and recreation and allowance. The stipend is to offset the financial cost of having the child in your home. In addition, the agency currently has an additional annual clothing allowance for each child. There are strict guidelines on how the clothing money can be used. In addition, there are also tax benefits for resource families.

17. What about the medical needs of the children?

Each child that comes into the care of our agency has medical and dental services through Medicaid.

18. How can I find out if I am eligible for benefits?

We encourage all Fredericksburg City residents, in need of services, to apply for benefits. Only a trained eligibility worker can determine if you are eligible for benefits. CommonHelp

19. Are there any general requirements?

Yes. In order to apply you must meet the following basic criteria:
- You must live in Virginia
- You must be a United States Citizen or meet certain requirements if you are an immigrant.
- You must meet the specific requirements of each program for which you are applying.

20. How can I get an application for benefits?

An application for benefits can be obtained at our office in the Bass-Ellison building or you may call us at (540) 372-1032 and request that an application be mailed to you. Click the following link to apply for benefits online CommonHelp Website

21. Where do I return my application?

You may return the application by mail, in person, online, or fax. Our business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm., unless closed in Observance of a City Holiday.

Fredericksburg Department of Social Services
608 Jackson St., Suite 100
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
(540) 372-1032
(540) 372-1157 (fax)

22. Will I need to provide any sort of documentation?

Yes, Federal, State, and local policies require that certain verifications are provided before your application can be processed. Your eligibility worker will advise you as to what specific information will be needed to process your application.

23. How soon will I know if my application has been approved?

With some exceptions, a decision must be made within:
- 45 days of application for medical assistance
- 30 days of application for food stamps and financial assistance (seven days if the household qualifies for expedited services).

24. My application was denied because I could not provide all of the requested information. Can I re-apply?

Yes, you may re-apply at any time.

25. Who is eligible for SNAP?

Anyone who meets the established income and resource limits may be eligible for SNAP. You can apply online by clicking the following link CommonHelp Website

26. When do I get my SNAP benefits?

If you are approved and remain eligible, your ongoing benefits will be available on a staggered schedule according to your case number.

27. How do I get my SNAP benefits with the Virginia EBT card?

Each month that you are eligible for SNAP benefits, your benefits will be added to your Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card automatically.

28. What is a PIN?

PIN stands for Personal Identification Number. Your PIN is a four-digit number you must use with your EBT card. The PIN is how the computer matches the card to your account and you. Cardholders must keep their PIN a secret. Their PIN should never be shared with anyone. The PIN should not be written on the EBT card or on any piece of paper that is kept in the same place as the card. If someone gets the EBT card and knows the PIN, that person can spend all the money in a person's food stamp account. If that happens, the money will not be replaced.

29. What if I forget my PIN?

If you are in the grocery store and enter the wrong PIN, you have three more chances that day to enter the correct PIN. If you do not enter the correct PIN on the fourth try, a “lock” is put on your account and you will not be able to use your card until the next day. If you cannot remember your PIN, contact the Customer Service Help Line at (866) 281-2448 to create a new PIN.

30. What if I lose or damage my EBT card?

If your EBT card is lost, stolen, or damaged, call the toll-free Customer Service Help Line at (866) 281-2448 to report it. A new card will be mailed to you on the next business day. If you are unable to wait for a new card to be mailed to you due to an emergency, you can contact your worker to request a new card.

31. What if I don't want to use all of my benefits in one month?

The SNAP benefits you do not use stay on your EBT card for one year from the date you receive them.

32. What if I plan to move or change my address?

Call your case worker. You must always report changes in your address, living arrangements, and/or income to your worker.