How to Appeal

You can appeal by filling out the [B&S Appeal Form], calling or writing your own letter.

If writing your own appeal, include as much of the following as possible:

• Your name and address
• Case number, client number or other information that we can use to find you
• The program that this is about
• What the local agency did that you disagree with
• Why you think the local agency is wrong
• Which local agency made this decision
• Whether you would like your benefits continued while we work on your appeal

Once you have everything, you can file your appeal with AFH by using any of the five ways below:

Email: Mail: Manager, Appeals and Fair Hearings Unit

Virginia Department of Social Services
5600 Cox Road
Glen Allen, Virginia 23060

CommonHelp
Hotline: (800) 552-7096 or (804) 664-0612
Fax: (804) 726-7656 

Appeals must be filed within these deadlines:

• SNAP:
  • If you currently get SNAP and want more benefits: appeal at any time
  • For any other SNAP decision: within 90 days of the notice
• All other programs: within 30 days of the notice

Continuation of Benefits

If you are appealing an action that happened while you are getting public assistance, you may be able to continue getting those benefits while we work on your appeal. This is called Continuation of Benefits.

You have to appeal before the deadline for Continuation of Benefits to happen. The deadline is before the local agency takes the negative action on your case. If the local agency immediately took the negative action, then the deadline is ten days after the decision was mailed to you.

We cannot continue your benefits if the action was taken at your renewal.

If you receive Continuation of Benefits and the Hearing Officer decides that the local agency decision is correct, you may have to repay what you got while we handled your appeal.

What to Expect after You Appeal

When we receive your appeal, we will assign it to a Hearing Officer. The Hearing Officer will schedule it with the local agency.

• You will receive a Notice of Fair Hearing at least 10 days before the date by mail. It will tell you:
  • Who your Hearing Officer is
  • When your hearing is scheduled
  • How to participate by phone
  • How to send your Hearing Officer your evidence

Timeline: AFH must finish your appeal within 60 days of receiving it, unless you request a delay.

If you have any questions or would like to check on the status of your appeal, you may call us at (804) 664-0612 or email us at appeals@dss.virginia.gov.