If you live in the state of Virginia and need help paying for food, you may qualify for the Virginia Food Assistance Program (Food Stamps or SNAP benefits). The Virginia Food Assistance Program helps people with low-income with money to buy healthy food. To apply for Virginia Food Stamps, follow the instructions below:
Table of Contents:
- What is SNAP Benefit?
- Who is Eligible for SNAP in Virginia?
- Virginia SNAP Income Limits
- Apply for Virginia Food Stamps
- Virginia Food Stamps FAQs
What is SNAP Benefit?
SNAP (also known as food stamps) offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families.
Once you are approved, SNAP benefits are provided on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, that is used as a debit card.
Virginia EBT cards are accepted at most grocery stores, some farmers’ markets, convenience, big box stores, and some online stores.
SNAP benefits generally cannot be used to buy prepared foods, vitamins, alcohol/tobacco, and non-food items (like soap or toothpaste).
Who is Eligible for SNAP in Virginia?
To be eligible for SNAP in Virginia, a household must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be a citizen or legal immigrant
- Must be a Virginia resident
- Your household income must be less than the food stamps income limits for your household size (see chart below)
- With some exceptions, you must work or participate in an employment and training program
- For most households, resources must be under $2,500 to qualify for SNAP or $3,750 in countable resources if at least one member of the household is age 60 or older, or is disabled
How do I know I am Eligible?
Benefit amounts are based on household income and expenses.
To see if your household’s income may qualify for SNAP in Virginia, use the income limit chart below:
1. Look at the number of people in your household under “Family Size”.
2. Next, look at the number in the “Maximum Gross Monthly Income” column.
3. Does your household’s total monthly income before taxes fall at or below that
number?
If so, you may qualify for Food Stamps in Virginia, depending on your housing and
other expenses.
To apply for food stamps in Virginia, continue reading below:
Virginia SNAP Income Limits
Your household’s total income is the single most important factor when determining if you qualify for Virginia food stamp benefits.
Most households must have a total gross monthly income less than or equal to 200% of the federal poverty level, to be potentially eligible for PA SNAP.
If your household has a person who is 60 or older or disabled, only the net income limit must be met.
Use the Virginia Food Stamps Income Limit Chart below to see if your household income qualifies for benefits in Virginia.
| Virginia SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2022 | ||||
| Effective October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022 | ||||
| Household Size | SNAP Household Maximum Monthly Income Limits (130% FPIG) | Household Maximum Monthly Income Limits (over 60 or disabled) (200% FPIG) | Maximum Net Monthly Income (100% FPIG) | Separate Household Gross Monthly Income (165% FPIG) |
| 1 | $1,396 | $2,148 | $1,074 | $1,771 |
| 2 | $1,888 | $2,904 | $1,452 | $2,396 |
| 3 | $2,379 | $3,660 | $1,830 | $3,020 |
| 4 | $2,871 | $4,418 | $2,209 | $3,644 |
| 5 | $3,363 | $5,174 | $2,587 | $4,268 |
| 6 | $3,855 | $5,930 | $2,965 | $4,893 |
| 7 | $4,347 | $6,688 | $3,344 | $5,517 |
| 8 | $4,839 | $7,444 | $3,722 | $6,141 |
| Each additional member | +$492 | +$758 | +$379 | +$625 |
Apply for Virginia Food Stamps
We have explained the Virginia Food Stamps application process below.
Step 1 – Complete Application for Virginia SNAP
There are 3 ways you can apply for food stamps in Virginia.
Option 1 – Apply online
You can apply online through the Virginia CommonHelp Portal – as shown in the image below.
If you have an account, you can log in or create your Virginia CommonHelp Account. Click here to be taken to the website.
Option 2 – Apply at DSS Office Near You
You can apply in person at the Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) office near you. Click here to locate a DSS office.
Option 3 – Download the Virginia Food Stamps Application
You can download an application, complete it, and mail it to your county DSS office or submit it in person.
Step 2 – Complete post Application Requirements
After you complete your application, here is what happens next.
Interview
You may be invited for an in-person interview, where you may have to bring documentation to support the information you provided on your application.
During the interview, you will be asked questions about your household situation and verify your identity. You may also be asked to bring proof of income.
Receive Virginia EBT Card
After that interview, if you are approved for food stamps, you will be provided a Virginia EBT Card.
This card can be used to purchase food at approved locations.
Here is how much in food stamps you may get if you are approved. Note that it is based on the number of people in your household:
Virginia Food Stamps amount per Month
The table below will show you the maximum amount of Virginia food stamps you can expect to receive each month.
The SNAP maximum monthly allotment is based on a household with ZERO income.
It is important to note that as your household income increase, your food stamp benefits will decrease.
| Household Size | Virginia SNAP Maximum Monthly Allotment |
| 1 | $250 |
| 2 | $459 |
| 3 | $658 |
| 4 | $835 |
| 5 | $992 |
| 6 | $1,190 |
| 7 | $1,316 |
| 8 | $1,504 |
| Each Additional Member: | +$188 |
Virginia Food Stamps FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about food stamps in Virginia.
What Documents do you need to apply for SNAP in Virginia?
When you apply for SNAP in Virginia, you will be required to provide documentation to verify your household situation, including:
- Verification of citizenship or eligible immigrant status
- Verification of residency
- Proof of identity
- Verification of all household income
- Verification of household assets
- Social Security number or proof of application for all members of the household
We have provided below details regarding the documents you will be required to provide, by category:
Identity & Residence
Here is the list of documents required:
- Driver’s license, alien registration card, voter registration card, work or school ID, library card, and birth certificates;
- Social Security Numbers for everyone for whom you are requesting assistance.
Expenses
Here is the list of documents required:
- Lease or mortgage agreement, rent receipts;
- Most recent utility and phone bills;
- Bills for the care of children, or elderly or disabled adults;
- Bills for medical expenses;
- Child support paid by a member of the household.
Resources
- Most recent statements for bank accounts such as checking and savings accounts;
- Proof of stocks and bonds;
- Information about burial trusts, burial arrangements, and burial plots;
- Registration or title for all motor vehicles;
- Medical insurance policies or medical cards;
- Life insurance policies that may be cashed.
Income
- Pay stubs for this month and last month for
everyone working; - Records of tips, bonuses, or commissions;
- Divorce decrees or support orders;
- Award letters or notices.
What are Virginia SNAP work requirements for 2022?
All individuals who are able to work must be working or actively engaged in a work activity in order to receive SNAP benefits.
Additionally, unless an exemption to the work requirement is granted, individuals may
receive SNAP benefits for only three months during a 36-month period.
Furthermore, in order to receive SNAP benefits beyond three months Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs), you must:
- Work for cash wages in any amount or for in-kind goods or services for 20 hours or more per week, averaged monthly;
2. Participate in and comply with requirements of an employment services program operated by the Department of Social Services, other than job search, for 20 hours or more per week or for the number of hours assigned for the work experience component as calculated by the household’s allotment divided by the federal minimum wage;
3. Participate in and comply with non-departmental (VDSS) work programs for 20
hours or more per week;
4. Serve in an unpaid, volunteer capacity for a public or private agency, at a minimum, for the number of hours that is equal to the household’s allotment divided by the federal minimum wage; or
5. Any combination of these activities.
Can I use my Virginia EBT card online?
Yes. You can use your Virginia EBT card to make purchases online at the following grocery stores:
- ALDI
- Amazon
- BJs Wholesale Club
- Earth Fare
- Food Lion
- Giant of Maryland
- Martin’s
- Publix
- Safeway
- Sam’s Club Scan and Go
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Walmart
- Wegmans
- Weis Markets
How do I use my Virginia SNAP EBT to shop online at Walmart?
Here’s how to use your Virginia EBT card to purchase groceries online at Walmart for pickup or delivery:
To use your SNAP benefits on Walmart.com, you will need to register as a Walmart customer if you are not already an online customer.
You can add your SNAP EBT card to your account Walmart account by completing
the following steps:
- Go to your account in the Walmart app or the website
- Select Payment methods
If your local store accepts SNAP EBT cards Online, you’ll see an option to add your EBT card to your Walmart account. - Add your card information. Then, select Save Card.
Once you have added your SNAP EBT card to your Walmart account, here’s how to use the card to shop online at Walmart:
To place your order online at Walmart:
- Add eligible SNAP grocery items to your Walmart online shopping card.
- Once you have all the items you want to purchase, select “Checkout”
- Next, Select the EBT card switch on the Select payment method screen.
- Enter the EBT food or EBT cash amount you’d like to use.
- Select Continue to complete your transaction.
What is the schedule for SNAP benefits in Virginia?
The Virginia EBT Card, or the Virginia EBT Card, holds the food assistance benefits assigned to you each month. Your benefits will be deposited onto your EBT card according to the schedule below:
| If your Case Number ends in | Benefits are deposited on the |
| 0-3 | 1st of the month |
| 4-5 | 4th of the month |
| 6-7 | 7th of the month |
| 8-9 | 9th of the month |
Once your benefits are deposited into your account, you can begin using them with your Virginia EBT card to purchase eligible food items.
For a full list of approved food items, see the Food Stamps Eligible Food List here.
Each time you use your EBT card to make a purchase, the retailer will give you a receipt that will include your remaining card balance.
To check your card balance, see our post on how to check your Virginia EBT Balance.
How to Apply for Virginia Food Stamps Summary
We hope you found this guide on how to apply for Virginia Food Stamps helpful!
If you have any additional questions about how to get food stamps in Virginia or Virginia EBT benefits, please let us know in the comments section below.
If the meantime, check out our other articles on Virginia Food Stamps: