{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/63.2-501.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/63.2-501.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/63.2-501.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/63.2-501.html"}],"law_id":75440,"edition_id":1,"section_id":75440,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-501","catch_line":"Application for assistance","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 63-116, 63-140.3, 63-142, 63-180, 63-206; 1962, c. 621; 1968, cc. 578, 781, \u00a7 63.1-107; 1970, c. 721; 1972, c. 718; 1975, cc. 524, 585; 1996, c. 511; 1997, cc. 801, 921; 2002, c. 747; 2012, cc. 240, 530; 2015, c. 513; 2017, c. 106; 2020, cc. 860, 861.","full_text":"A\n\nExcept as provided for in the state plan for medical assistance services pursuant to § 32.1-325, application for public assistance shall be made to the local department and filed with the local director of the county or city in which the applicant resides; however, when necessary to overcome backlogs in the application and renewal process, the Commissioner may temporarily utilize other entities to receive and process applications, conduct periodic eligibility renewals, and perform other tasks associated with eligibility determinations. Such entities shall be subject to the confidentiality requirements set forth in § 63.2-501.1. Applications and renewals processed by other entities pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to appeals pursuant to § 63.2-517. Such application may be made either electronically or in writing on forms prescribed by the Commissioner and shall be signed by the applicant or otherwise attested to in a manner prescribed by the Commissioner under penalty of perjury in accordance with § 63.2-502.\n\t\t\tIf the condition of the applicant for public assistance precludes his signing or otherwise attesting to the accuracy of information contained in an application for public assistance, the application may be made on his behalf by his guardian or conservator. If no guardian or conservator has been appointed for the applicant, the application may be made by any competent adult person having sufficient knowledge of the applicant’s circumstances to provide the necessary information, until such time as a guardian or conservator is appointed by a court.B\n\nLocal departments or the Commissioner shall provide each applicant for public assistance with information regarding his rights and responsibilities related to eligibility for and continued receipt of public assistance. Such information shall be provided in an electronic or written format approved by the Board that is easily understandable and shall also be provided orally to the applicant by an employee of the local department, except in the case of energy assistance. The local department shall require each applicant to acknowledge, in a format approved by the Board, that the information required by this subsection has been provided and shall maintain such acknowledgment together with information regarding the application for public assistance.C\n\nLocal departments or the Commissioner shall provide each applicant for Medicaid with information regarding advance directives pursuant to Article 8 (§ 54.1-2981 et seq.) of Chapter 29 of Title 54.1, including information about the purpose and benefits of advance directives and how the applicant may make an advance directive.D\n\nThe Commissioner and local departments shall administer the Child Care Subsidy Program as provided for in the State Child Care Plan prepared by the Department of Education.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":270783,"text":"Except as provided for in the state plan for medical assistance services pursuant to § 32.1-325, application for public assistance shall be made to the local department and filed with the local director of the county or city in which the applicant resides; however, when necessary to overcome backlogs in the application and renewal process, the Commissioner may temporarily utilize other entities to receive and process applications, conduct periodic eligibility renewals, and perform other tasks associated with eligibility determinations. Such entities shall be subject to the confidentiality requirements set forth in § 63.2-501.1. Applications and renewals processed by other entities pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to appeals pursuant to § 63.2-517. Such application may be made either electronically or in writing on forms prescribed by the Commissioner and shall be signed by the applicant or otherwise attested to in a manner prescribed by the Commissioner under penalty of perjury in accordance with § 63.2-502.\n\t\t\tIf the condition of the applicant for public assistance precludes his signing or otherwise attesting to the accuracy of information contained in an application for public assistance, the application may be made on his behalf by his guardian or conservator. If no guardian or conservator has been appointed for the applicant, the application may be made by any competent adult person having sufficient knowledge of the applicant’s circumstances to provide the necessary information, until such time as a guardian or conservator is appointed by a court.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":270784,"text":"Local departments or the Commissioner shall provide each applicant for public assistance with information regarding his rights and responsibilities related to eligibility for and continued receipt of public assistance. Such information shall be provided in an electronic or written format approved by the Board that is easily understandable and shall also be provided orally to the applicant by an employee of the local department, except in the case of energy assistance. The local department shall require each applicant to acknowledge, in a format approved by the Board, that the information required by this subsection has been provided and shall maintain such acknowledgment together with information regarding the application for public assistance.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":270785,"text":"Local departments or the Commissioner shall provide each applicant for Medicaid with information regarding advance directives pursuant to Article 8 (§ 54.1-2981 et seq.) of Chapter 29 of Title 54.1, including information about the purpose and benefits of advance directives and how the applicant may make an advance directive.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":270786,"text":"The Commissioner and local departments shall administer the Child Care Subsidy Program as provided for in the State Child Care Plan prepared by the Department of Education.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14573,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14331,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:43","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:43","permalink":{"id":271057,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14573,"identifier":"5","token":"63.2\/II\/5","url":"\/63.2\/II\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14331,"edition_id":1,"name":"Public Assistance","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12789,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:46","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:46","permalink":{"id":271055,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14331,"identifier":"II","token":"63.2\/II","url":"\/63.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12789,"edition_id":1,"name":"Welfare (Social Services)","identifier":"63.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":270661,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12789,"identifier":"63.2","token":"63.2","url":"\/63.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":57625,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-500","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/63.2-500\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-500","metadata":false},{"id":75440,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-501","catch_line":"Application for assistance","url":"\/63.2-501\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-501","metadata":false},{"id":83249,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-501.1","catch_line":"Application for public assistance; accurate contact information; authorized disclosures","url":"\/63.2-501.1\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-501.1","metadata":false},{"id":69115,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-502","catch_line":"False application or false swearing; penalty","url":"\/63.2-502\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-502","metadata":false},{"id":78403,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-503","catch_line":"Procedure upon receipt of application","url":"\/63.2-503\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-503","metadata":false},{"id":85810,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-503.1","catch_line":"Legal presence required for public assistance; exceptions; proof of legal presence","url":"\/63.2-503.1\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-503.1","metadata":false},{"id":72401,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-504","catch_line":"Decision of local department that applicant entitled to public assistance","url":"\/63.2-504\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-504","metadata":false},{"id":56053,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-505","catch_line":"Determining the amount of public assistance","url":"\/63.2-505\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-505","metadata":false},{"id":61829,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-505.1","catch_line":"Transitional food stamp benefits","url":"\/63.2-505.1\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-505.1","metadata":false},{"id":82597,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-505.2","catch_line":"Eligibility for food stamps; drug-related felonies","url":"\/63.2-505.2\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-505.2","metadata":false},{"id":81461,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-506","catch_line":"Public assistance not transferable or subject to execution","url":"\/63.2-506\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-506","metadata":false},{"id":68468,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-507","catch_line":"Personal representatives for recipients of public assistance funds","url":"\/63.2-507\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-507","metadata":false},{"id":68477,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-508","catch_line":"Fees for representing applicant or recipient","url":"\/63.2-508\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-508","metadata":false},{"id":81049,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-509","catch_line":"Public assistance subject to amendment or repeal of laws","url":"\/63.2-509\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-509","metadata":false},{"id":77010,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-510","catch_line":"Obligation of person to support certain children living in same home; penalty","url":"\/63.2-510\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-510","metadata":false},{"id":66353,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-511","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/63.2-511\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-511","metadata":false},{"id":67528,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-512","catch_line":"Recovery of public assistance erroneously paid","url":"\/63.2-512\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-512","metadata":false},{"id":70279,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-513","catch_line":"Notification of change in circumstances","url":"\/63.2-513\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-513","metadata":false},{"id":83840,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-514","catch_line":"Reconsideration or changes in amount of public assistance; cancellation","url":"\/63.2-514\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-514","metadata":false},{"id":61948,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-515","catch_line":"Notice to applicant or recipient of decision","url":"\/63.2-515\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-515","metadata":false},{"id":83455,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-516","catch_line":"Record of decision","url":"\/63.2-516\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-516","metadata":false},{"id":70973,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-517","catch_line":"Right of appeal to Commissioner","url":"\/63.2-517\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-517","metadata":false},{"id":58129,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-518","catch_line":"Action by Commissioner on appeal","url":"\/63.2-518\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-518","metadata":false},{"id":76684,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-519","catch_line":"Finality of decision of Commissioner","url":"\/63.2-519\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-519","metadata":false},{"id":62945,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-520","catch_line":"How public assistance paid","url":"\/63.2-520\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-520","metadata":false},{"id":81950,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-521","catch_line":"Change of residence","url":"\/63.2-521\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-521","metadata":false},{"id":58163,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-522","catch_line":"False statements, representations, impersonations and fraudulent devices; penalty","url":"\/63.2-522\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-522","metadata":false},{"id":66086,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-523","catch_line":"Unauthorized use of food stamps, electronic benefit transfer cards, and energy assistance prohibited; penalties","url":"\/63.2-523\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-523","metadata":false},{"id":76772,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-524","catch_line":"Denial of benefits upon finding of fraudulent acts","url":"\/63.2-524\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-524","metadata":false},{"id":61748,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-525","catch_line":"Payment by Department for legal services","url":"\/63.2-525\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-525","metadata":false},{"id":77559,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-526","catch_line":"Statewide fraud control program","url":"\/63.2-526\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-526","metadata":false},{"id":57585,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-527","catch_line":"Notice of earned income tax credit","url":"\/63.2-527\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-527","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":57625,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-500","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/63.2-500\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-500","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":83249,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-501.1","catch_line":"Application for public assistance; accurate contact information; authorized disclosures","url":"\/63.2-501.1\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-501.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/63.2-501\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 12 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1962, chapter 621; in 1968, chapters 578 and 781; in 1970, chapter 721; in 1972, chapter 718; in 1975, chapters 524 and 585; in 1996, chapter 511<\/a>; in 1997, chapters 801<\/a> and 921<\/a>; in 2002, chapter 747<\/a>; in 2012, chapters 240<\/a> and 530<\/a>; in 2015, chapter 513<\/a>; in 2017, chapter 106<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 860<\/a> and 861<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":77747,"section_number":"32.1-325","catch_line":"Board to submit plan for medical assistance services to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services pursuant to federal law; administration of plan; contracts with health care providers","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-325\/"},{"id":77307,"section_number":"54.1-2981","catch_line":"Short title","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2981\/"},{"id":83249,"section_number":"63.2-501.1","catch_line":"Application for public assistance; accurate contact information; authorized disclosures","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-501.1\/"},{"id":69115,"section_number":"63.2-502","catch_line":"False application or false swearing; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-502\/"},{"id":70973,"section_number":"63.2-517","catch_line":"Right of appeal to Commissioner","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-517\/"}],"permalink":{"id":271063,"object_type":"law","relational_id":75440,"identifier":"63.2-501","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-501","url":"\/63.2-501\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/63.2-501\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-501","dublin_core":{"Title":"Application for assistance","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 63.2-501","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Except as provided for in the state plan for medical assistance services pursuant to § 32.1-325<\/a>, application for public assistance<\/span> shall be made to the local department<\/span> and filed with the local director<\/span> of the county or city in which the applicant resides; however, when necessary to overcome backlogs in the application and renewal process, the Commissioner<\/span> may temporarily utilize other entities to receive and process applications, conduct periodic eligibility renewals, and perform other tasks associated with eligibility determinations. Such entities shall be subject to the confidentiality requirements set forth in § 63.2-501.1<\/a>. Applications and renewals processed by other entities pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to appeals<\/span> pursuant to § 63.2-517<\/a>. Such application may be made either electronically or in writing on forms prescribed by the Commissioner<\/span> and shall be signed by the applicant or otherwise attested to in a manner prescribed by the Commissioner<\/span> under penalty<\/span> of perjury<\/span> in accordance with § 63.2-502<\/a>.\n\t\t\tIf the condition of the applicant for public assistance<\/span> precludes his signing or otherwise attesting to the accuracy of information contained in an application for public assistance<\/span>, the application may be made on his behalf by his guardian or conservator. If no guardian or conservator has been appointed for the applicant, the application may be made by any competent adult person having sufficient knowledge of the applicant’s circumstances to provide the necessary information, until such time as a guardian or conservator is appointed by a court<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Local departments<\/span> or the Commissioner<\/span> shall provide each applicant for public assistance<\/span> with information regarding his rights and responsibilities related to eligibility for and continued receipt of public assistance<\/span>. Such information shall be provided in an electronic or written format approved by the Board<\/span> that is easily understandable and shall also be provided orally to the applicant by an employee of the local department<\/span>, except in the case of energy assistance<\/span>. The local department<\/span> shall require each applicant to acknowledge, in a format approved by the Board<\/span>, that the information required by this subsection has been provided and shall maintain such acknowledgment together with information regarding the application for public assistance<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Local departments<\/span> or the Commissioner<\/span> shall provide each applicant for Medicaid with information regarding advance directives pursuant to Article 8 (§ 54.1-2981<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 29 of Title 54.1, including information about the purpose and benefits of advance directives and how the applicant may make an advance directive. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The Commissioner<\/span> and local departments<\/span> shall administer the Child<\/span> Care Subsidy Program as provided for in the State Child<\/span> Care Plan prepared by the Department of Education. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nAPPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE (\u00a7 63.2-501)\n\nA. Except as provided for in the state plan for medical assistance services\npursuant to § 32.1-325, application for public assistance shall be made to\nthe local department and filed with the local director of the county or city in\nwhich the applicant resides; however, when necessary to overcome backlogs in the\napplication and renewal process, the Commissioner may temporarily utilize other\nentities to receive and process applications, conduct periodic eligibility\nrenewals, and perform other tasks associated with eligibility determinations.\nSuch entities shall be subject to the confidentiality requirements set forth in\n§ 63.2-501.1. Applications and renewals processed by other entities\npursuant to this subsection shall be subject to appeals pursuant to §\n63.2-517. Such application may be made either electronically or in writing on\nforms prescribed by the Commissioner and shall be signed by the applicant or\notherwise attested to in a manner prescribed by the Commissioner under penalty\nof perjury in accordance with § 63.2-502.\n\t\t\tIf the condition of the applicant for public assistance precludes his signing\nor otherwise attesting to the accuracy of information contained in an\napplication for public assistance, the application may be made on his behalf by\nhis guardian or conservator. If no guardian or conservator has been appointed\nfor the applicant, the application may be made by any competent adult person\nhaving sufficient knowledge of the applicant’s circumstances to provide\nthe necessary information, until such time as a guardian or conservator is\nappointed by a court.\n\nB. Local departments or the Commissioner shall provide each applicant for public\nassistance with information regarding his rights and responsibilities related to\neligibility for and continued receipt of public assistance. Such information\nshall be provided in an electronic or written format approved by the Board that\nis easily understandable and shall also be provided orally to the applicant by\nan employee of the local department, except in the case of energy assistance.\nThe local department shall require each applicant to acknowledge, in a format\napproved by the Board, that the information required by this subsection has been\nprovided and shall maintain such acknowledgment together with information\nregarding the application for public assistance.\n\nC. Local departments or the Commissioner shall provide each applicant for\nMedicaid with information regarding advance directives pursuant to Article 8\n(§ 54.1-2981 et seq.) of Chapter 29 of Title 54.1, including information\nabout the purpose and benefits of advance directives and how the applicant may\nmake an advance directive.\n\nD. The Commissioner and local departments shall administer the Child Care\nSubsidy Program as provided for in the State Child Care Plan prepared by the\nDepartment of Education.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 63-116, 63-140.3, 63-142, 63-180, 63-206; 1962, c. 621;\n1968, cc. 578, 781, \u00a7 63.1-107; 1970, c. 721; 1972, c. 718; 1975, cc. 524, 585;\n1996, c. 511; 1997, cc. 801, 921; 2002, c. 747; 2012, cc. 240, 530; 2015, c.\n513; 2017, c. 106; 2020, cc. 860, 861.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}