TITLE 22. SOCIAL SERVICES
TITLE 22. SOCIAL SERVICES
STATE BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Final Regulation
REGISTRAR'S NOTICE: The State Board of Social Services is claiming an exemption from the Administrative Process Act in accordance with the second enactment of Chapter 843 of the 2026 Acts of Assembly, which exempts the initial promulgation of regulations necessary to implement the provisions of the act.
Title of Regulation: 22VAC40-411. General Relief Program (adding 22VAC40-411-230).
Statutory Authority: § 63.2-217 of the Code of Virginia.
Effective Date: October 7, 2026.
Agency Contact: Mark Golden, TANF Program Manager, Department of Social Services, 5600 Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060, telephone (804) 726-7385, or email mark.golden@dss.virginia.gov.
Background: This optional program for local departments of social services is a new component of the General Relief Program. The change gives local departments of social services a clear legal basis to provide financial assistance, subject to the availability of funding, when a qualifying individual dies without resources or family support to cover burial costs.
Summary:
Pursuant to Chapter 843 of the 2026 Acts of Assembly, the amendments allow local departments of social services to pay the reasonable funeral expenses of a decedent who was a recipient of social services or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
22VAC40-411-230. Burial assistance.
Subject to the availability of funding, a local department may provide burial assistance to a decedent who was a recipient of public assistance or Supplemental Security Income at the time of death. The local department must indicate in the General Relief Plan the maximum amount of assistance available and any additional eligibility criteria required for the local department's locality.
VA.R. Doc. No. R27-8748; Filed August 18, 2026