Bristol City Virginia - Department of Social Services

03/31/2026

The SNAP food restriction waiver previously scheduled to take effect April 1, 2026, has been delayed to October 1, 2026. There will be no new limits on the use of SNAP benefits for sweetened beverages until the new effective date.

We are committed to keeping you informed and will continue to share updates and guidance with customers and retailers as new information becomes available.

02/13/2026

Bristol City DSS will be closed, Monday, February 16th in observance of Presidents' Day.

❕To apply for SNAP, TANF, Child Care, Energy Assistance or Medicaid:
💻 Visit www.commonhelp.virginia.gov 📲
☎️Call 855-635-4370📞

❗️To report suspected child abuse or neglect:
☎️Call 800-552-7096📞

❕To report suspected financial exploitation or other kinds of abuse to the elderly or adults with a disability:
☎️Call 888-832-3858 📞

❗️If you need to drop off a document:
📥Use the drop box located to the right, on the emergency exit doors. Documents placed in the drop box during these times will be marked received the next business day for deadline purposes. ✅

02/01/2026

Bristol City DSS will be opening at 11:00am on Monday, February 2nd due to frigid temperatures & road conditions.

01/31/2026

City of Bristol, VA Warming Shelter to Remain Open Through February 1 at Noon

BRISTOL, VA — The City of Bristol, Virginia announces that the City-operated Warming Shelter located at Highlands Fellowship Church will remain open until 12:00 PM (noon) tomorrow, February 1, due to continued cold conditions and community need.

The Warming Shelter is located at:
Highlands Fellowship Church
134 Commerce Court
Bristol, VA 24202

The shelter provides a safe, heated location for individuals seeking relief from freezing temperatures.

Bristol Virginia Emergency Management will continue to monitor weather conditions and community needs and will provide updates should shelter operations change.

The City of Bristol thanks its community partners and residents for their compassion, cooperation, and continued efforts to help protect vulnerable individuals during this winter weather period.

Residents are encouraged to share this information with anyone who may need assistance and to follow official City communication channels for updates.

01/31/2026

City of Bristol to Open Warming Shelter at Highlands Fellowship Church

BRISTOL, VA — Due to forecasted freezing temperatures, the City of Bristol, Virginia will open a Warming Shelter tonight to provide a safe, heated location for individuals in need during extreme cold conditions.

The Warming Shelter will be located at:

Highlands Fellowship Church
134 Commerce Court
Bristol, VA 24202

A warming shelter is a temporary, short-term facility opened during periods of extreme cold to provide individuals with a warm and safe place to escape dangerous temperatures. The shelter is focused on life safety and may offer limited amenities centered on warmth and protection from the elements.

Travel Safety Reminder

Residents traveling to the shelter are urged to exercise extreme caution, as winter weather may create hazardous road and walking conditions. Individuals should dress warmly and allow extra time for travel.

Bristol Virginia Emergency Management will continue to monitor weather conditions and community needs and will provide updates as necessary.

The City of Bristol extends its appreciation to Highlands Fellowship Church for its partnership, compassion, and cooperation in supporting the community during this period of cold weather.

For updates, residents are encouraged to follow official City of Bristol communication channels.

01/30/2026

01/30/2026

City of Bristol Encourages Unhoused Individuals to Seek Warming Shelters During Continued Cold Weather

BRISTOL, VA — With continued cold and freezing temperatures forecast in the coming days, the City of Bristol, Virginia is strongly encouraging individuals experiencing homelessness and those without reliable heat to seek available warming shelters to stay safe.

Extended exposure to cold and sub-freezing temperatures can be dangerous and life-threatening. Warming shelters provide a safe, heated location for individuals to get out of the cold and reduce the risk of hypothermia and other cold-related injuries.

The following warming shelters are currently available in the Bristol area:

Haven of Rest
624 Anderson Street
Bristol, TN 37620

Salvation Army – Bristol
137 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Bristol, TN 37620

These facilities provide temporary relief during periods of extreme cold and are focused on life safety.

Bristol Virginia Emergency Management continues to monitor weather conditions and shelter capacity and is prepared to coordinate additional response efforts if conditions worsen or shelter resources become strained.

Residents are encouraged to:

Share this information with anyone who may need shelter

Check on neighbors and vulnerable individuals

Help connect unhoused persons with available resources when possible

The City of Bristol thanks community partners and residents for their compassion and cooperation as we work together to protect the health and safety of all during this period of extreme cold.

For updates, residents should follow official City of Bristol communication channels.

01/30/2026

❄️Bristol City DSS will be closing at 3:30 PM today (Friday, Jan 30th) due to winter weather and deteriorating road conditions.❄️

01/26/2026

❇️Bristol City DSS will be operating on a delayed schedule Tuesday, January 27th, and will open at 10:00am.❇️

01/25/2026

✳️Our office will be closed Monday, January 26th due to inclement weather. ✳️

❕To apply for SNAP, TANF, Child Care, Energy Assistance or Medicaid:
💻 Visit www.commonhelp.virginia.gov 📲
☎️Call 855-635-4370📞
❗️To report suspected child abuse or neglect:
☎️Call 800-552-7096📞
❕To report suspected financial exploitation or other kinds of abuse to the elderly or adults with a disability:
☎️Call 888-832-3858 📞
❗️If you need to drop off a document:
📥Use the drop box located to the right, on the emergency exit doors. Documents placed in the drop box during these times will be marked received the next business day for deadline purposes. ✅

01/25/2026

City of Bristol to Open Warming Shelter Due to Prolonged Freezing Temperatures

BRISTOL, VA — Due to prolonged freezing temperatures forecast for the Bristol area, the City of Bristol, Virginia will open a Warming Shelter to provide a safe, heated location for individuals in need.

The Warming Shelter will be located at:

Highlands Fellowship Church
134 Commerce Court
Bristol, VA 24202

The shelter will open tonight at 6:00 PM and will remain open for a 24-hour period, subject to weather conditions and community needs.

About the Warming Shelter

A Warming Shelter is a temporary, short-term facility opened during extreme cold to provide individuals with a warm, safe place to escape dangerous temperatures. Warming shelters are intended to reduce the risk of cold-related injuries and exposure and may offer limited amenities focused on warmth and safety.

Travel Safety Reminder

Residents seeking to access the Warming Shelter are urged to exercise extreme caution when traveling, as winter weather may create hazardous road conditions. If travel is unsafe, individuals should delay travel until conditions improve or seek alternative safe shelter options.

Bristol Virginia Emergency Management will continue to monitor weather conditions and community needs and will coordinate additional response actions as necessary.

The City of Bristol thanks Highlands Fellowship Church for partnering with the City to support the community during this period of extreme cold and thanks residents for their cooperation and compassion.

01/23/2026

BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) — City leaders declared a local state of emergency in Bristol, Virginia as the region braces for a winter storm. According to a release from the Bristol, Virginia Fire Departmen…