How To Apply For Food Stamps In Virginia

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally funded program that offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families. The program is run by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). If you live in this state and need to apply for a Virginia EBT Card, then the information below shows you how to apply for food stamps in Virginia. If you have additional questions or concerns about the Virginia SNAP program or the EBT application process, please contact the Virginia Department of Social Services for assistance.

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.

Virginia Food Stamps Eligibility Income Limits

Work Requirements
If you are age 18 to 50 and able to work, you may be subject to a work requirement in order to receive SNAP. This requirement would limit the number of months for which you could receive SNAP to three months in a 36 month period. After you receive SNAP for three months, you may be able to receive three additional months if you complete certain work related requirements. You may be exempt from this work requirement if you are currently working or participating in an approved work program; responsible for the care of a child; pregnant; medically certified as unable to work; meet one of several work registration exemption reasons; or live in an exempt locality.

Designating a Representative to Act on Your Behalf
A spouse, adult member of your household, trusted friend, relative or neighbor can be designated representative. This person may:

• Apply for SNAP for your household
• Receive a Virginia EBT Card that can access your SNAP account
• Use your SNAP benefits for you at the grocery store
• Receive copies of your SNAP notices and correspondence

If you want to designate an authorized representative you may do so your application or by writing a note for that person to take to the local social services department. The note will need to include:

• The name, address and phone number of the person you designating
• The duties you want that person to perform on your behalf
• Your signature and the date

Selecting Head of Household
You may select any adult member as the head of your household. If you select either an adult parent of a child any age or an adult who acts as a guardian for a child under age 18, all the adults in the household must agree with your choice for head of household or the agency will choose the head of your household.

If you select any other adult or you do not select a head of household, and someone in your household does not cooperate with an employment and training program or reduces the hours worked or quits a job without good cause, the agency will choose the head of household to be the person who earned the most money from working during the previous two months.

If the person selected as head of household does not cooperate as required with an employment program or reduces the hours worked or quits a job without good cause, your household may not be able to get SNAP for up to 6 months. You may select the head of your household every time you apply for SNAP. If there is a parent-child combination, you may change your selection whenever someone joins or leaves your household. Tell your worker if you want to change your selection.

Screening for Virginia Food Stamps Eligibility Applying

• Option 1: Screen for eligibility and/or apply online through CommonHelp
• Option 2: Bypass eligibility screening and submit an application manually. Download the form in English or Spanish.