Welcome to the City of Portsmouth Department of Social Services homepage. DSS touches the lives of all citizens by providing programs and services that ensure the health and welfare of our citizens.
The department provides services to individuals and families that enable them to be the best they can be. Some of these services include foster care, adoption services, adult and child protective services, job assistance, food stamps, medical aid, and many others. We're here to help citizens lead productive, self-sufficient lives.
Awareness/Prevention Months
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Copyright 2007 © Portsmouth Department of Social Service. All Rights Reserved
1701 High Street Suite 101 Portsmouth, VA 23704 757-405-1800
On-line Screening Tool
Virginia Department of Social Service offers an on-line screening tool to help determine if you may
be eligible for any of the services that we provide.
Please understand that using this tool provides a preliminary screening only and does not imply actual eligibility.
You must complete
an application and be interviewed to receive a
final determination.
Access online screening tool.
The City of Portsmouth
Energy Assistance Program Help With Heating
PDSS offers fuel assistance for help with home heating costs; but can also be used for furnance
re-starts, late charges, delivery charges, installation charges, and connection or re-connection fees. Benefits are determined and authorizations for deliveries or service are sent to vendors in December. Applications will be accepted October 14 - November 14, 2008
PDSS also offers crisis assistance to meet a household's emergency heating need when no other resources are available. Crisis assistance includes: one time only heat security deposit, portable space heater for temporary use, payment for emergency shelter and/or heating equipment repair/purchase. Applications for crisis assistance will be accepted November 1 - March 15.
*All benefits are based on the availability of funds.
Elgibility criteria for assistance include:
- Must be a Portsmouth resident
- Must have a heating expense responsibility
- Monthly gross income may not exceed:
- Child and Family Services
Foster Care
Adoption Services
Family & Court Services
Child Protective Services
Comprehensive Services Act (CSA)
Daycare
- Adult Services
Protective Service
Companion Service
Adult Foster Care
Care Residences
Community Based Care & Nursing Home Placement
VIEW Employment Program
- Benefit Programs/Assistance
TANIF
Food Stamps
Tax Relief
Energy Assistance
Medicaid
FAMIS
State and Local Hospitalization
General Relief
The City of Portsmouth
Services/Programs Offered:
| Household Size |
Maximum Income |
Household Size |
Maximum Income |
| 1 |
$1,107 |
11 |
$4,877 |
| 2 |
$1,484 |
12 |
$5,254 |
| 3 |
$1,861 |
13 |
$5,631 |
| 4 |
$2,238 |
14 |
$6,008 |
| 5 |
$2,615 |
15 |
$6,385 |
| 6 |
$2,992 |
16 |
$6,762 |
| 7 |
$3,369 |
17 |
$7,139 |
| 8 |
$3,746 |
18 |
$7,516 |
| 9 |
$4,123 |
19 |
$7,893 |
| 10 |
$4,500 |
20 |
$8,270 |
1701 High Street Suite 101 Portsmouth, VA 23704
Receive TANF Faster & More Securely
Virginia Debit MasterCard's are now offered to TANF recipients. Payments will be automatically issued each month to the MasterCard account and recipients can retrieve thier money through an ATM, bank or the cash back option at retailers. Recipients who wish to receive the payments via direct deposit or paper check must contact thier elgibility worker.
