Amelia County Social Services: rising caseloads, limited local funding and request for one benefits position

Amelia County Department of Social Services reported fiscal 2024 totals and several operational pressures to the Board of Supervisors, and requested an additional staff position to improve fraud control, energy assistance administration and benefits processing.

Funding picture: The director said total DSS funding for fiscal 2024 was approximately $38,000,005.54. Funding shares were roughly 54.75% federal, 43.67% state, about 1.53% local and a small portion from grants/other. Major program spending lines include Medicaid ($33,000,000), SNAP, TANF and childcare. The director emphasized the large scale of Medicaid spending relative to local dollars.

Operational pressures: DSS said benefits caseloads and intake volume have increased and that APS/CPS reports have grown significantly, putting pressure on both benefits and family services units. Energy assistance and the administrative complexity of state grant rules (including targets that limit local use) are complicating service delivery. The director said the agency completed fiscal 2024 under budget but that staff are using special duty leave to maintain timeliness and compliance in benefits processing.

Staffing request and rationale: DSS requested an additional benefits position to manage fraud work, energy share processing and other benefits tasks. The director said the state provides funding streams that reduce the local cost: the local share of the requested position could be roughly $22,000 while the state and other associated funds (including United Way support) available to run the targeted programs sum to about $27,000 — potentially offsetting local cost and improving compliance and service capacity.

Ending: Supervisors had no immediate vote; DSS staff will continue to pursue grants and training and said they will implement required substance use screening and other state policy changes. The budget request will be considered in the FY26 process.