RICHMOND, VA – Several medical, food and financial assistance flexibilities and programs administered by the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) and the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) are set to expire due to recent changes in federal legislation. The programs, which have provided additional benefits and eligibility waivers to many Virginians, were offered on a temporary basis to help households cope with hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with the recent passing of the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 announcing the end of the continuous coverage requirement on March 31, 2023, and approaching the end of the federal public health emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023, states will soon return to normal processes, including:
Continuous health coverage will end on March 31, 2023, with disenrollment beginning no earlier than April 30, 2023. Virginia will return to normal enrollment processes, including redeterminations and processing reductions/closures of health coverage.
Medicaid renewals will continue over a 12-month period. Members should make sure their contact information is up to date to ensure receipt of important information during the transition back to normal operations.
Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT)
Final P-EBT benefits will be issued in August 2023, in accordance with the end of the federal public health emergency.
Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) for College Students
Expanded eligibility requirements will end June 10, 2023, in accordance with the end of the federal public health emergency. Issuances occur on the 1st, 4th, and 7th of the month.
Additionally, temporary benefits for the following programs have recently ended:
Temporary Cash Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
The period of continuous coverage ended, and Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW) requirements resumed on January 1, 2023.
Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) Emergency Allotments
Emergency Allotments that raised eligible SNAP households’ maximum benefit ended on February 16, 2023. Households will receive benefits without the additional supplement beginning March 2023. Issuances occur on the 1st, 4th, and 7th of the month.
VDSS and DMAS are working together to provide information and resources to prepare Virginia families for the upcoming program changes. Along with a dedicated unit of trained staff to support customers during this program transition, VDSS and DMAS have also partnered with health plan providers, community organizations, local schools, institutions of higher learning, and stakeholders to ensure eligible Virginians have access to all available resources, receive assistance in navigating systems, and are able to retain access to food assistance and quality health care coverage.
“We are proud to have offered Virginians enhanced monthly benefits and expanded access to benefit programs for as long as federal law allowed,” said VDSS Commissioner Dr. Danny Avula. “Together, with assistance from our partners at DMAS, we are prepared to continue to help create opportunities for Virginia’s families to work towards self-sufficiency and overall well-being.”
“DMAS has been preparing for this return to the normal process for the past two years, and we are committed to ensuring that our members continue to receive the health coverage that they deserve,” said Cheryl Roberts, DMAS Director. “In partnership with our colleagues at VDSS, we are ready to help our members find the right health coverage – whether through Medicaid, the federal marketplace, or private health insurance – so that Virginians stay covered and stay healthy.”
Households currently receiving assistance through any of the affected programs are strongly encouraged to verify their contact information is up to date to ensure prompt delivery of important notices and communications related to the upcoming changes. Household information, including mailing addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses can be verified or updated in the following ways:
Commonhelp (Commonhelp.virginia.gov)
For assistance with SNAP, SNAP for College Students, Medicaid, TANF, and P-EBT.
Cover Virginia (CoverVA.org) or call 1-855-242-8282 (TTY: 1-888-221-1590)
For assistance with Medicaid or FAMIS.
Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) are prepared to assist members with updating their contact information and provide information and resources regarding other Virginia programs.
