{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/63.2-505.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/63.2-505.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/63.2-505.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/63.2-505.html"}],"law_id":56053,"edition_id":1,"section_id":56053,"structure_id":14573,"section_number":"63.2-505","catch_line":"Determining the amount of public assistance","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 63-119, 63-145, 63-183, 63-209; 1950, p. 624; 1952, c. 62; 1954, c. 659; 1958, c. 519; 1962, cc. 363, 403; 1964, c. 92; 1966, c. 456; 1968, cc. 578, 781, \u00a7 63.1-110; 1970, c. 721; 1974, c. 328; 1977, c. 503; 1989, cc. 333, 521; 1993, c. 922; 1994, c. 263; 2001, c. 483; 2002, cc. 360, 747.","full_text":"The Board shall adopt regulations governing the amount of public assistance persons receive under the provisions of this subtitle. In making such regulations, the Board shall consider significant differences in living costs in various counties and cities and, unless otherwise precluded by law, shall establish or approve such variations in monetary public assistance standards for shelter allowance on a regional or local basis, as may be appropriate.\n\t\tThe amount of public assistance any person receives under the provisions of this subtitle shall be determined according to Board regulations with regard to (i) the property and income of the person and any support he receives from other sources, including from persons legally responsible for his support, and (ii) the average cost of providing public assistance statewide. It shall be sufficient to provide public assistance that, when added to all other income and support of the recipient (exclusive of that not to be taken into account as hereinafter provided), provides such person with a reasonable subsistence. In determining the income of and support available to a person, the amount of income required to be exempted by federal statute, or if the federal statute makes such exemption permissive, then such portion thereof as may be determined by the Board shall not be considered in determining the amount of assistance any person may receive under this subtitle.\n\t\tAny amounts received by a person pursuant to a settlement agreement with, or judgment in a lawsuit brought against, a manufacturer or distributor of “Agent Orange” for damages resulting from exposure to “Agent Orange” shall be disregarded in determining the amount of public assistance such person may receive from state public assistance programs and from federal public assistance programs to the extent permitted by federal law or regulation, and such amounts shall not be subject to a lien or be available for reimbursement to the Commonwealth or any local department for public assistance, notwithstanding the provisions of \u00a7 63.2-409.\n\t\tAny individual or family applying for or receiving public assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program, medical assistance services for low-income families with children, food stamp, or energy assistance programs, to the extent permitted by federal law and regulation, may have or establish one savings or other investment account per assistance unit not to exceed $5,000. Any such account, including any interest earned thereon or appreciation in value thereof, shall be exempt from consideration in any calculation under any specified public assistance program as long as no funds are withdrawn from the account. The State Board shall promulgate regulations permitting the withdrawal of funds from the account for purposes related to self-sufficiency, disregarding the funds withdrawn for such purposes in any calculation under any specified public assistance program, and establishing penalties for amounts withdrawn for any other purposes or other misuse of these funds.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":205471,"text":"The Board shall adopt regulations governing the amount of public assistance persons receive under the provisions of this subtitle. In making such regulations, the Board shall consider significant differences in living costs in various counties and cities and, unless otherwise precluded by law, shall establish or approve such variations in monetary public assistance standards for shelter allowance on a regional or local basis, as may be appropriate.\n\t\tThe amount of public assistance any person receives under the provisions of this subtitle shall be determined according to Board regulations with regard to (i) the property and income of the person and any support he receives from other sources, including from persons legally responsible for his support, and (ii) the average cost of providing public assistance statewide. It shall be sufficient to provide public assistance that, when added to all other income and support of the recipient (exclusive of that not to be taken into account as hereinafter provided), provides such person with a reasonable subsistence. In determining the income of and support available to a person, the amount of income required to be exempted by federal statute, or if the federal statute makes such exemption permissive, then such portion thereof as may be determined by the Board shall not be considered in determining the amount of assistance any person may receive under this subtitle.\n\t\tAny amounts received by a person pursuant to a settlement agreement with, or judgment in a lawsuit brought against, a manufacturer or distributor of “Agent Orange” for damages resulting from exposure to “Agent Orange” shall be disregarded in determining the amount of public assistance such person may receive from state public assistance programs and from federal public assistance programs to the extent permitted by federal law or regulation, and such amounts shall not be subject to a lien or be available for reimbursement to the Commonwealth or any local department for public assistance, notwithstanding the provisions of \u00a7 63.2-409.\n\t\tAny individual or family applying for or receiving public assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program, medical assistance services for low-income families with children, food stamp, or energy assistance programs, to the extent permitted by federal law and regulation, may have or establish one savings or other investment account per assistance unit not to exceed $5,000. Any such account, including any interest earned thereon or appreciation in value thereof, shall be exempt from consideration in any calculation under any specified public assistance program as long as no funds are withdrawn from the account. The State Board shall promulgate regulations permitting the withdrawal of funds from the account for purposes related to self-sufficiency, disregarding the funds withdrawn for such purposes in any calculation under any specified public assistance program, and establishing penalties for amounts withdrawn for any other purposes or other misuse of these funds.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/63.2-505\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 15 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 1952, chapter 62; in 1954, chapter 659; in 1958, chapter 519; in 1962, chapters 363 and 403; in 1964, chapter 92; in 1966, chapter 456; in 1968, chapters 578 and 781; in 1970, chapter 721; in 1974, chapter 328; in 1977, chapter 503; in 1989, chapters 333 and 521; in 1993, chapter 922; in 1994, chapter 263<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 483<\/a>; in 2002, chapters 360<\/a> and 747<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":57568,"section_number":"63.2-409","catch_line":"No lien to attach to property of applicant or recipient; release of existing unforeclosed liens","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-409\/"}],"permalink":{"id":271087,"object_type":"law","relational_id":56053,"identifier":"63.2-505","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-505","url":"\/63.2-505\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/63.2-505\/","token":"63.2\/II\/5\/63.2-505","dublin_core":{"Title":"Determining the amount of public assistance","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 63.2-505","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The Board<\/span> shall adopt regulations governing the amount of public assistance<\/span> persons receive under the provisions of this subtitle. In making such regulations, the Board<\/span> shall consider significant differences in living costs in various counties and cities and, unless otherwise precluded by law<\/span>, shall establish or approve such variations in monetary public assistance<\/span> standards for shelter allowance on a regional or local basis, as may be appropriate.\n\t\tThe amount of public assistance<\/span> any person receives under the provisions of this subtitle shall be determined according to Board<\/span> regulations with regard to (i) the property and income of the person and any support he receives from other sources, including from persons legally responsible for his support, and (ii) the average cost of providing public assistance<\/span> statewide. It shall be sufficient to provide public assistance<\/span> that, when added to all other income and support of the recipient (exclusive of that not to be taken into account as hereinafter provided), provides such person with a reasonable subsistence. In determining the income of and support available to a person, the amount of income required to be exempted by federal statute<\/span>, or if the federal statute<\/span> makes such exemption permissive, then such portion thereof as may be determined by the Board<\/span> shall not be considered in determining the amount of assistance any person may receive under this subtitle.\n\t\tAny amounts received by a person pursuant to a settlement<\/span> agreement<\/span> with, or judgment<\/span> in a lawsuit<\/span> brought against, a manufacturer or distributor of “Agent Orange” for damages<\/span> resulting from exposure to “Agent Orange” shall be disregarded in determining the amount of public assistance<\/span> such person may receive from state public assistance<\/span> programs and from federal public assistance<\/span> programs to the extent permitted by federal law<\/span> or regulation, and such amounts shall not be subject to a lien<\/span> or be available for reimbursement to the Commonwealth or any local department<\/span> for public assistance<\/span>, notwithstanding the provisions of \u00a7 63.2-409<\/a>.\n\t\tAny individual or family applying for or receiving public assistance<\/span> under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families<\/span> Program, medical assistance services for low-income families with children, food stamp, or energy assistance<\/span> programs, to the extent permitted by federal law<\/span> and regulation, may have or establish one savings or other investment account per assistance unit not to exceed $5,000. Any such account, including any interest earned thereon or appreciation in value thereof, shall be exempt from consideration in any calculation under any specified public assistance<\/span> program as long as no funds are withdrawn from the account. The State Board<\/span> shall promulgate regulations permitting the withdrawal of funds from the account for purposes related to self-sufficiency, disregarding the funds withdrawn for such purposes in any calculation under any specified public assistance<\/span> program, and establishing penalties for amounts withdrawn for any other purposes or other misuse of these funds.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDETERMINING THE AMOUNT OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (\u00a7 63.2-505)\n\nThe Board shall adopt regulations governing the amount of public assistance\npersons receive under the provisions of this subtitle. In making such\nregulations, the Board shall consider significant differences in living costs in\nvarious counties and cities and, unless otherwise precluded by law, shall\nestablish or approve such variations in monetary public assistance standards for\nshelter allowance on a regional or local basis, as may be appropriate.\n\t\tThe amount of public assistance any person receives under the provisions of\nthis subtitle shall be determined according to Board regulations with regard to\n(i) the property and income of the person and any support he receives from other\nsources, including from persons legally responsible for his support, and (ii)\nthe average cost of providing public assistance statewide. It shall be\nsufficient to provide public assistance that, when added to all other income and\nsupport of the recipient (exclusive of that not to be taken into account as\nhereinafter provided), provides such person with a reasonable subsistence. In\ndetermining the income of and support available to a person, the amount of\nincome required to be exempted by federal statute, or if the federal statute\nmakes such exemption permissive, then such portion thereof as may be determined\nby the Board shall not be considered in determining the amount of assistance any\nperson may receive under this subtitle.\n\t\tAny amounts received by a person pursuant to a settlement agreement with, or\njudgment in a lawsuit brought against, a manufacturer or distributor of\n“Agent Orange” for damages resulting from exposure to “Agent\nOrange” shall be disregarded in determining the amount of public\nassistance such person may receive from state public assistance programs and\nfrom federal public assistance programs to the extent permitted by federal law\nor regulation, and such amounts shall not be subject to a lien or be available\nfor reimbursement to the Commonwealth or any local department for public\nassistance, notwithstanding the provisions of \u00a7 63.2-409.\n\t\tAny individual or family applying for or receiving public assistance under the\nTemporary Assistance for Needy Families Program, medical assistance services for\nlow-income families with children, food stamp, or energy assistance programs, to\nthe extent permitted by federal law and regulation, may have or establish one\nsavings or other investment account per assistance unit not to exceed $5,000.\nAny such account, including any interest earned thereon or appreciation in value\nthereof, shall be exempt from consideration in any calculation under any\nspecified public assistance program as long as no funds are withdrawn from the\naccount. The State Board shall promulgate regulations permitting the withdrawal\nof funds from the account for purposes related to self-sufficiency, disregarding\nthe funds withdrawn for such purposes in any calculation under any specified\npublic assistance program, and establishing penalties for amounts withdrawn for\nany other purposes or other misuse of these funds.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 63-119, 63-145, 63-183, 63-209; 1950, p. 624; 1952, c.\n62; 1954, c. 659; 1958, c. 519; 1962, cc. 363, 403; 1964, c. 92; 1966, c. 456;\n1968, cc. 578, 781, \u00a7 63.1-110; 1970, c. 721; 1974, c. 328; 1977, c. 503; 1989,\ncc. 333, 521; 1993, c. 922; 1994, c. 263; 2001, c. 483; 2002, cc. 360, 747.","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}}