Virginia Poverty Law Center
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Virginia Poverty Law Center
@vplc.bsky.social
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Seeking justice | Educating communities | Leading in advocacy. Since 1978.
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Important updates for Virginia SNAP recipients:
Update for SNAP households: November 10, 2025 Starting this week, Virginia will no longer distribute VENA funds to SNAP households. Partial federal SNAP benefits are expected soon. The Virginia Department of Social Services says benefits will be distributed by Thursday, November 13. Households are expected to receive 65% of their normal SNAP benefit amount. This situation is changing quickly. Virginia Poverty Law Center will continue to share updates about Virginians’ SNAP benefits and food resources. You can find more information on the Virginia Department of Social Services website.
November 10, 2025 at 8:32 PM
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Virginia Fresh Match is offering a November Harvest Special to help SNAP households stretch their food budget next month. More details and participating locations: www.virginiafreshmatch.org/locate#harve...
October 30, 2025 at 5:09 PM
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Join us in Blacksburg, Oct 20th. Free! register here: bit.ly/SWVACandidat...
October 7, 2025 at 4:35 PM
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Our Candidate Forum is this week! Will we see you there?
Register ➡️ bit.ly/CandidateForum2025
September 22, 2025 at 3:15 PM
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Do you know someone who receives SSI benefits in the mail? They'll need to take action before the end of this month to avoid having their monthly payments withheld. More info:
In Virginia, around 4% of SSI recipients still receive paper checks. As of September 30, 2025, the Treasury department will stop issuing paper checks for most federal payments. These individuals will need to switch to direct deposit to ensure they receive their monthly payments. If this applies to you or someone you know, take action ASAP. If you have a bank account already, You can sign up for direct deposit at godirect.gov or call the Treasury Electronic Payment Solution Center at 1-877-874-6347. You will need this information on hand when you call: Social security number Social security claim number Financial institution routing number Account type Account number If you do not have a bank account, Several institutions in Virginia offer Bank On certified accounts. These accounts do not charge overdraft fees or require a minimum account balance. Visit joinbankon.org/accounts for a list of participating banks. Note: most banks will require an initial deposit of at least $25 to open an account. If you do not have a bank account and do not wish to open one, You also have the option of signing up for a Direct Express® card, which will put your monthly checks onto the card. Note: there are fees associated with this card, including a $0.85 fee for certain ATM cash withdrawals and a $0.75 fee for monthly paper statements.
September 10, 2025 at 3:12 PM
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This National Senior Citizens Day, VPLC is highlighting the importance of social safety net programs like Medicare & Social Security in ensuring the wellbeing of older adults in our communities. We must improve access to these programs so they can continue to support older adults in Virginia.
August 21 is National Senior Citizens Day. VPLC advocates to improve access to Medicare and Social Security, because we know these programs play a vital role in supporting older adults’ access to health care and their financial security. Get the stats More than 1.6 million older adults in Virginia are enrolled in Medicare. Almost 30% of Virginia’s Medicare enrollees have income under 200% of the federal poverty level (that’s $31,300 per year for one person). According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Social Security lifts more people above the poverty line than any other program. Without Social Security benefits, 37.3% of older adults would have incomes below the federal poverty level. With benefits, only 10.1% do.
August 21, 2025 at 7:59 PM
vplc.bsky.social
🎉 Happy 90th birthday to the Social Security Act!

Did you know Social Security lifts more people out of poverty than any other program?

Learn more about how the programs created by the Social Security Act fight poverty and what we can do to strengthen them: vplc.org/reflections-...
"Reflections on the Social Security Act at 90. Read the blog post from VPLC's Victoria Richardson." Image in background is Ida May Fuller, the first Social Security recipient, holding up her Social Security check.
August 14, 2025 at 2:36 PM
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🍎🥫 Durante esta sesión, nuestra anfitriona Amber Poron hablará con Claudia Artiga, especialista de SNAP con VPLC, quien compartirá información sobre la ayuda alimentaria existente a través de programas como SNAP, bancos de comida, etc. en Virginia.
¡Únete a nosotros el 6 de agosto para aprender más!
Una Descripcion General de la Ayuda Alimentaria en Virginia 1380 AM facebook.com/radiopoder1380
July 31, 2025 at 4:22 PM
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A school gym. A sea of white tents. Free dental care, no insurance needed.
This is what healthcare looks like when Remote Area Medical (RAM) comes to town—and for many Virginians, it’s their only access to a doctor or dentist all year.
#RAMclinic #HealthAccess #VirginiaHealthcare
Patients waiting for dental care.
July 16, 2025 at 7:01 PM
vplc.bsky.social
Ever wondered if all the fees your landlord is charging are legal, how to get repairs done in your unit, or how to connect with other tenants fighting for change? Stop by our free event on Saturday, July 26 from 11AM-2PM, get your lease reviewed and questions answered. Food will be provided.
July 15, 2025 at 2:38 PM
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Our Richmond Tenant Town Hall is coming up soon! We need to hear from you: what problems are you experiencing as a Richmond renter? Join us on June 25 & help us fight to improve Virginia's housing laws.

RSVP here: bit.ly/vplc-tth25
Richmond Tenant Town Hall flyer
June 17, 2025 at 7:20 PM
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Richmond renters: we need to hear from you! Join us for a Tenant Town Hall on June 25 to share your experiences and ideas for how we can fight to improve housing laws.

Learn more and register: vplc.org/tenant-town-...
Learn Your Rights. Share Your Ideas. Richmond Tenant Town Hall June 25 | 6-7:30 p.m. Richmond Public Library, Main Branch Food will be provided. Register: bit.ly/vplc-tth25
June 6, 2025 at 5:10 PM
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A new report estimates 36% of Virginia's children will lose access to food, healthcare, or both if Congress passes devastating cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.

Take action by calling and emailing your Senators and asking them to vote NO: vplc.org/take-action/
"Children Under Attack: 35 million U.S. children rely on Medicaid and SNAP 36% of Virginia's children will lose access to food, healthcare, or both. Call your Senator: "Vote NO" to making children pay for billionaires' tax cuts Senate switchboard: (202) 224-3121"
May 29, 2025 at 8:55 PM
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🚨 Congress is proposing cuts to SNAP that would cost Virginia $353 million every year and put vulnerable Virginians at risk of losing critical help with food costs. 🚨

Take action here to contact your representatives & urge them to vote NO on SNAP cuts: secure.everyaction.com/lmBv70YdQkCu...
Proposed SNAP Cuts Threaten Food Security in Virginia A new bill from the U.S. House Agriculture Committee would drastically change the SNAP program, shifting costs to states and making it harder for families to keep their benefits. Currently, the federal government covers all food benefits and shares administrative costs with states. Under the proposal, Virginia would face $353 million in added costs each year—while SNAP recipients would face more red tape, benefit cuts that don’t keep pace with rising food prices, and reduced access to related programs like school meals and WIC. These cuts would harm families, older adults, caregivers, and local businesses—especially in food deserts. Personal stories are a powerful way to show lawmakers why an issue matters. Here are some things to consider when contacting your representative’s office to share a personal story: Identify yourself as a constituent and tell them your address (or include it in your email message). Explain how your personal experience is directly related to the bill. Focus on the harm or help this bill will have on your personal situation. Keep your message brief and focused on the topic at hand. If you have additional things to discuss, you can contact your representative’s office again to talk about those separately.
May 14, 2025 at 3:32 PM
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Even billionaires must follow the law.

VPLC is taking on the DOGE team & fighting secret data grabs threatening millions.

⚖️ Justice = accountability—no matter how powerful.

💥 Fund the fight: Text SupportJustice to 53-555 or visit www.givebutter.com/JusticeDay2025

#JusticeDay2025
Photograph of gavel with text over it. Text says "Even billionaires must follow the law. Justice means accountability for everyone."
May 1, 2025 at 8:48 PM
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SNAP brought in $140 million to Virginia last year. VPLC is fighting to protect this vital program that supports local economies & helps Virginians put food on the table.

Learn what's at stake: tinyurl.com/SNAPCuts

Give during VPLC's Justice Day campaign to fuel the fight for food justice in VA.
"How many Virginians benefit from SNAP?" Pie chart of Virginians supported by SNAP: 329K children, 39K senior citizens, 33K veterans, 6K retailers
May 1, 2025 at 6:45 PM
vplc.bsky.social
It’s VPLC’s 2025 Justice Day campaign.

Since 1978, VPLC has fought to ensure lower-income Virginians have access to justice.

Help us reach our $50,000 goal.

Your gift of any amount fuels big change for low-income Virginians. Text SupportJustice to 53-555 or visit tinyurl.com/JusticeDay25.
"Trade Java for Justice! Donate the cost of one latte to support VPLC's work to bridge the justice gap. Text SupportJustice to 53-555 or visit tinyurl.com/JusticeDay25"
May 1, 2025 at 1:46 PM
vplc.bsky.social
Since 1978, VPLC has fought for low-income Virginians by:
⚖️ Advocating for change
⚖️ Holding bad actors accountable
⚖️ Empowering people through legal education

Help us reach our $50,000 goal for #JusticeDay2025. Every dollar moves justice forward.

🔗 tinyurl.com/JusticeDay25

#FundJusticeNow
"Lives are on the line when justice isn't available. Text SupportJustice to 53-555 or visit tinyurl.com/JusticeDay25"
April 30, 2025 at 3:17 PM
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Confusion and fear around "public charge" have kept many immigrant families from staying enrolled in, using, and applying for vital benefits like Medicaid, Marketplace, SNAP, and school meals.

Get the facts about public charge in 2025. Register for our upcoming webinar here: bit.ly/public-charg...
Flyer for VPLC and Enroll Virginia's webinar about immigration law and public benefits in Virginia, scheduled for May 6 at 1 p.m.
April 24, 2025 at 4:38 PM
vplc.bsky.social
Justice shouldn't depend on your income. Give today during VPLC's Justice Day campaign and fuel the fight for access to justice for all Virginians. tinyurl.com/JusticeDay25

#JusticeDay2025 #JusticeCantWait #StandForJustice
VPLC Justice Day graphic with a picture of a person sitting at a table looking at a stack of bills in a kitchen. His partner is holding their toddler in the background. Text says, "your support helps Virginians: - Stay in their homes - Fight wrongful debt - Escape abuse - Shut down payday predators Text SupportJustice to 53-555 or visit [tinyurl.com/JusticeDay25](http://tinyurl.com/JusticeDay25)"
April 24, 2025 at 2:33 PM
vplc.bsky.social
What if access to the justice system depended on your bank account? For too many Virginians, it does.

That’s why we’re launching the 2nd Annual Justice Day campaign—to raise $50,000 to protect people who can’t afford a lawyer.

The campaign is underway. tinyurl.com/JusticeDay25
VPLC Justice Day logo on a white and gray background. The text around it says "May 1, 2025. Text SupportJustice to 53-555."
April 22, 2025 at 7:23 PM
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🐦 Calling all early birds! Your support on Justice Day fuels our advocacy, education, & litigation work protecting Virginia’s most vulnerable. Justice Day is May 1, but you can make your gift in advance.

Text “SupportJustice” to 53-555 or donate online: tinyurl.com/JusticeDay25.
Image of calendar displaying May 1. Text says "VPLC's Justice Day is May 1, but you don't need to wait to make an impact. Make your gift today!"
April 17, 2025 at 4:14 PM
vplc.bsky.social
SNAP cuts won't just hurt food insecure Virginians. They will also hurt community grocers, wholesalers, and other businesses that help get food onto the shelves.

Get the facts from the National Grocers Association:
National Grocers Association fact sheet about how SNAP supports community grocers
April 9, 2025 at 5:32 PM
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🎺 The 6th annual Jazz4Justice event is this Saturday, benefiting VPLC and the UVA Jazz Ensemble. We hope to see you there!

Venue: Old Cabell Hall, Charlottesville, VA
Time: 8:00 – 9:30 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Available at tinyurl.com/J4J2025Cville
UVA Jazz Ensemble 6th Annual Jazz4Justice flyer
April 8, 2025 at 2:46 PM
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🏠🏢 April is Fair Housing Month, and VPLC's housing advocacy team is hosting a series of legal trainings on important housing issues, led by VPLC staff and special guests from @nhlp.bsky.social and Legal Aid Justice Center.

See the topics and register: bit.ly/vplc-fhm-25
"April is Fair Housing Month 4 virtual trainings on vital housing topics. 5 expert presenters. Visit bit.ly/vplc-fhm-25 to register."
April 7, 2025 at 4:47 PM