The Shadow
ALLEGHANY COUNTY, Va. (VR) – The Alleghany County-Covington Board of Social Services convened Monday to discuss crucial updates to the region’s social service initiatives, including funding for SNAP benefits, administrative expenditures, new federal requirements, and developments in foster care.
The meeting opened with a roll call, confirming a quorum as board members Jason Helmintoller, Eston Burge, Kathy Carson, Susan Wolfe, Matt Garten, Kim Jefferson, and Patrice Jefferson were all marked present.
Following the roll call, the board reviewed workload and funding statistics for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). For September, Alleghany County issued $362,687, and the city of Covington distributed $193,696 in SNAP benefits, board members learned. Statewide, $144,959,356 was granted for the month. No board members raised questions about these figures.
Minutes from the previous session were quickly approved.
The board likewise consented to administrative expenditure reports, with Jessicca Meadows noting that spending stands at 25.8% of the budget, slightly above the targeted 25%.
The increase was attributed to one-time annual insurance and bonus payments.
“We’re in a really good position for administrative expenditures. They’re right on target,” Meadows shared.
Eston Burge reported failed attempts to reach state representatives regarding applicant updates: “At this point, I have not received a phone call. I’ve made two and have not received a phone call. We’ll just leave it as it is and continue on,” Burge stated.
The board later approved a proposed schedule that continues to set the regular meeting for the fourth Monday of every month.
Currently, the Social Services Department employs 39 staff, with the director’s role and several other positions remaining open. Staff participated in Hometown Halloween on Oct. 24, distributing information and application materials to the public.
A recent audit, covering important budget lines, has been completed and submitted, with updates expected soon. The benefits team recently completed training to reduce SNAP payment error rates, in line with the governor’s directive to bring Virginia’s error rate below 6%. Virginia’s current error rate is reported at 11.5%.
Board members were briefed on a warning from the Virginia Department of Social Services: SNAP benefits for November are in jeopardy if the federal funding lapse continues in relation to the Government shutdown.
“There is no guarantee that November benefits will be funded,” board members were told.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin has since declared a state of emergency to protect food access, while a federal government shutdown could further affect application periods.
Workers have also completed training on new SNAP regulations taking effect Nov. 1. Changes include new work requirements: adults aged 55-64 are now subject to work rules, exemptions apply to those under 18 or over 65. The homeless exemption has been eliminated, and only households with children 14 and under qualify for exemption.
Fuel assistance applications opened Oct. 14 and close Nov. 14, with those efforts said to be unaffected by the shutdown for now.
As of Sept. 30, there were 24 foster care cases in Alleghany County and 17 in Covington. Four kinship homes have completed foster care training, two more are in process, and several community resource homes are undergoing approval. Resource Program Coordinator Teresa Little will host a foster parent informational meeting on Nov. 11 at the Alleghany Highlands Regional Library.
The meeting closed with a vote to enter executive session for discussion of personnel and privacy matters involving children.
The board resolved to follow up with the state on applicant statuses, provide updates on the recent audit, and continue fostering community engagement through events and information sessions.
