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Government Benefits

Government Benefits

Get Internet

To deliver maximum cost savings to families, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) will offer eligible households a high-speed internet plan for $30/month or less from leading internet providers.

To apply and learn more, please visit the Get Internet site.

Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is committed to our students beyond academics and this includes financial wellness. We want to provide resources, skills, and knowledge to help students become and stay financially well both during their time as a student and after they graduate. Through the Financial Stability and Advocacy Centers, students can gain access to financial information, gain skills, and to a professional that can offer individualized assistance based on their particular situation.

Government Benefits Screener

Single Stop is an online screening tool that can estimate what government benefits students might be eligible to receive.

Applying for Government Benefits

Virginia’s Common Help application allows you to apply for multiple benefits: TANF, SNAP, HCC, EA, and Child Care. If you need assistance with completing the common help application, please get in touch with our staff.

SNAP

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides cash assistance for groceries to individuals that meet program guidelines. To qualify, you must be employed, working at least 80 hours per month, and meet the designated income requirements. If you meet these requirements, you can fill out the Common Help application online. If you need help completing the application, our team is available to help you complete this application.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a no-cost to low-cost health insurance available to individuals and families that meet the income requirements.

  • For more information about Medicaid and the income requirements, please visit the Cover VA website or the Medicaid website.
  • Application for Medicaid can be submitted through Common Help Virginia. Our team is available to help you complete this application!

Remember the Common Help application allows you to apply for multiple benefits: TANF, SNAP, HCC, EA, and Child Care

WIC

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) exist to help eligible pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, infants, and children up to the age of 5. WIC provides supplemental food, health education, support, and referrals to healthcare centers.

Childcare

Childcare expenses can be extremely expensive, especially for working individuals who are attending college; however, multiple childcare assistance programs and affordable options are available to eligible parents and families.

Child Care Subsidy Program

The Child Care Subsidy Program provides financial assistance to eligible families to help pay for the cost of childcare so they can work or attend education or training programs. The Child Care Subsidy Program services are child-centered and family-focused and support the broader objective of strengthening families’ goals of economic self-sufficiency and quality early childhood programs for their children. Participating families may select any legally operating child daycare facility eligible to participate in the program.

To apply for Childcare, please use the Common Help Application. You may also print the paper application in English or Spanish and return it to your local department of social services.  If you are unable to print the application, you may pick up an application or request that one be mailed to you from your local department of social services. Note: You may be interviewed by a childcare worker. Income verification is required.

Additional Childcare Options

  1. Check your City/County office for additional programs! Additional childcare programs may be offered. For example, Fairfax County offers the Child Care Assistance and Referral Program which provides:
    • Resources and Referrals to families about various center-based and family childcare programs located throughout the county.
    • Financial assistance for childcare to eligible Fairfax County families.
    • Support to childcare programs and providers.
  1. Talk with your current childcare provider about subsidized tuition options or affordable pricing they may offer. Many providers provide in-house discount options that can be accessed by participating in their income assessment policies.

TANF

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). TANF is a cash assistance program. Eligible recipients receive a monthly stipend to assist with their expenses. The goal of the program is to help end dependency. Families with minor children may also be eligible for the TANF program. For a child to be eligible:

    • Under age 18, or if 18, will graduate from high school before age 19
    • Going to school regularly if he is between the ages of five and 18
    • Living with a parent or other relative
    • A U.S. citizen or an eligible immigrant

Participants may be provided with services such as job skills training, work experience, job readiness training, childcare assistance, transportation, and other work-related expenses.

Housing Choice Voucher

The housing choice voucher program is the federal government's major program for assisting families to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments. The program is administered by local state agencies.

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