How to qualify for food stamps in va

There are three eligibility tests for SNAP: the Gross Income, the Net Income, and the Asset tests. Depending on your state and whether your household has an elderly (over 60) or disabled member, your household may be exempt from the Gross Income, Net Income, and/or Asset tests. Virginia has expanded eligibility beyond the standard federal SNAP eligibility requirements.

While the Gross Income and Asset tests are straightforward, Net Income is more difficult to calculate. We recommend using our SNAP Eligibility Calculator to see you're income eligible for SNAP benefits.

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Food stamp eligibility is complicated, and the rules change often. This page is a good starting point, but the best way to find out if you’re eligible for food stamps is to apply for them.

If you have a question that we haven’t answered here, let us know.

To figure out if you qualify for food stamps, Virginia needs to know your:

• Household size: How many people you live and buy/make food with.
• Income: How much money your household makes. This includes both earned income (the money you make from jobs) and unearned income (cash assistance, Social Security, unemployment insurance, and child support, etc.).
• Assets: How much you have in the bank, not including retirement savings or your most recent tax returns. Some states also include real estate, trusts, investments, and vehicles as assets.

Anyone you live and buy/make food with counts a member of your household.

You may live with people who don’t count as household members, like tenants who are renting a room, or adult children (22+) who buy/make their own food.

Children (under 22) always count as household members, even if they buy/make their own food.

Elderly (60+) and disabled people count as household members if you buy/make food for them, or you buy/make food together. If they live with you but buy/make food separately, they do not count as household members.

Virginia’s asset limit is $2,000. This limit goes up to $3,000 if your household includes at least one elderly (60+) or disabled person. This doesn’t include one vehicle per adult (18+) in the household.

Yes, as long as you aren’t leaving a job or reducing your hours specifically so that you’ll qualify.

You may be required to participate in an employment and training program if you aren’t working or work fewer than 30 hours a week. Some exceptions apply.

Visit your local office or call the Virginia SNAP hotline to learn more: 1-800-552-3431.

Yes. If you’re eligible for food stamps, Virginia won’t disqualify you because of a drug felony.

You might have to join a treatment program. You might also face a temporary disqualification period. Call your local office or the Virginia SNAP hotline to learn more: 1-800-552-3431.

Non-citizens who have qualified alien immigration status are eligible for food stamps.

Qualified aliens include refugees, victims of trafficking, Cuban and Haitian immigrants, Iraqi and Afghan immigrants with special status, and more.

Yes. You do not need a mailing address or housing to apply for food stamps. If you’re currently living in a shelter that gives you free meals, you can still apply for food stamps.

Once your child is born, your household size will increase. More household members = more benefits.

While you are pregnant, you can’t get more food stamps, but you can apply for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits.

WIC provides food and resources for pregnant women, new parents, and children up to 5 years old.

Check out this benefit finder tool and find out.

This information was compiled by Providers from publicly available government websites. Please check in with your local office if you have questions.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can be used like cash to buy eligible food items from authorized retailers. Authorized retailers will display either the Quest logo or a picture of a Virginia EBT card.

A SNAP account is established for eligible households and automatic deposits are made into the account each month. To access the account, they will also receive an EBT Card, which will debit the account each time eligible food items are purchased. A secret Personal Identification Number (PIN) is required to use the card.

Eligibility Income Limits

Guidance & Procedures

Screening for Eligibility & Applying

Please note the following:

• The USDA has temporarily expanded SNAP eligibility for students enrolled at least part-time in a higher education institution.
• A manual application cannot be processed and is not considered complete until it is signed and received by your local department.
• An interview will be required unless you meet the conditions for a waiver