HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Services Departmental Budget PresentationCity of Virginia Beach
Proposed FY 2026-27
Human Services Department
Aileen L. Smith, Director of Human Services
April 14, 2026
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Trends & Issues – Opioid Abatement, SNAP & Medicaid Benefits
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•Through funding from the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority (VOAA), the City of Virginia
Beach has launched several new programs, including:
•Community engagement vehicles for Human Services and Police, “Teen to Teen” social media
campaign, Regional Recovery High School, and the EMS Next Steps Co-response Team.
•Additional programs underway include the Human Services Prevention Van and the Regional
Collaborative Mobile Wellness and Treatment Vehicle.
•Funding for five (5) of these projects were renewed for FY 2026 and planning is underway to
renew at least four (4) of the projects for FY 2027.
Opioid
Abatement
•SNAP Eligibility: Historically 28,000-34,000 Virginia Beach residents receive SNAP benefits
monthly. This number is expected to decrease due to work requirements and the elimination
of exemptions for veterans, former foster youth and homeless individuals.
•SNAP Error Rate: Effective October 2027, a new cost-share requirement based on payment
error rates (PER) will be instituted. The introduction of the new cost-share requirement is
expected to result in increased state and local operational costs. In addition, localities will
need to focus on additional training for staff on the new regulations.
SNAP
•Medicaid Eligibility: In August 2025, approximately 88,000 Virginia Beach residents received
Medicaid benefits, included in this number is 26,000 individuals enrolled through the
Medicaid expansion program. This number is expected to decrease due to new eligibility
restrictions centered around work requirements and who can qualify for Medicaid benefits.
•Medicaid Renewal Period: Effective January 2027, expansion enrollees will need to provide
verification information and be re-assessed every six months instead of annually.
•Medicaid Co-Pay: Effective in FY 2029, expansion enrollees will be required to pay a $35 co-
pay for any item or service received.
Medicaid
Major Budget Changes
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•One (1) Family Support Specialist: This position will provide additional supervisory and
caseload support as part of a planned restructuring of the adult Social Services Employment
Unit. This unit supports the Benefits team and assists with monitoring and supporting new
Medicaid mandatory work requirements. Increases in these work requirements and new
limitations on exemptions are expected to increase the caseload for this unit significantly.
•The cost of this position is 65% funded by state and federal funds.
Family Support
Specialist – $29,454
(Net Cost)
•Two (2) Additional Benefits Program Assistants: These positions will improve the
department’s capacity to lower benefit error rates in advance of new and significant financial
penalties that will be imposed in the upcoming year. Without the sufficient capacity
necessary to achieve and maintain an acceptably low error rate, the penalties that would be
imposed are significantly more expensive than the cost of these positions.
•The cost of these two (2) positions is funded through an equal reduction in contracted
manpower.
Benefits Program
Assistants – $0
(Net Cost)
•The planned use of fund balance will be used to support the Permanent Supportive Housing
program. The planned use of fund balance is a strategic approach that allows the department
to maintain continuity of operations.
Use of Restricted
Fund Balance –
$1,792,092
Questions?
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