Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can be used like cash to buy eligible food items from authorized retailers. Authorized retailers will display a "We Welcome SNAP EBT Customers" poster.
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
- Income Chart eff 102023a ( PDF)
- SNAP Income Eligibility Limits ( PDF)
Guidance & Procedures
Screening for Eligibility & Applying
- Option 1: Screen for eligibility and/or apply online through CommonHelp
- Option 2: Bypass eligibility screening and submit an application manually. Fill out an "Application for Benefits" from the forms section on this page and return it to your local department of social services.
Please note the following:
- An interview with a benefit program specialist for most SNAP applicants and those reapplying for benefits may be required.
- Bring proof of identity to your SNAP interview, which could include a driver's license or another photo I.D., as well as a proof of residence, income, resources and/or your housing cost.
- A manual application cannot be processed and is not considered complete until it is signed and received by your local department of social services.
- Students enrolled at least part-time in a higher education institution may be eligible for SNAP - eligibility for students.
- Applications for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or General Relief (GR) are considered an application for SNAP, unless you request otherwise.
- If all household members have applied for or get Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you may also apply for SNAP at your local Social Security office.
Forms
- Appeal to the State Department of Social Services (ENG) ( PDF)
- Appeal to the State Department of Social Services (SPA) ( PDF)
- Application for Benefits (English) ( PDF)
- Application for Benefits (Spanish) ( PDF)
- Benefit Programs Brochure ( PDF)
- Change Report (English) ( PDF)
- Change Report (Spanish) ( PDF)
- ESAP Flyer (ENG) ( PDF)
- ESAP Flyer (SPA) ( PDF)
- Elderly Simplified Application Project (ENG) ( PDF)
- Elderly Simplified Application Project (SPA) ( PDF)
- Renewal Application for Auxiliary Grant (AG), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) ( PDF)
- Renewal Application for Auxiliary Grant (AG), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) (Spanish) ( PDF)
- SNAP and the Public Charge ( PDF)
- SNAP and the Public Charge (SPA) ( PDF)
Related Links
- Benefits Appeals
- Benefits Disqualification Hearing
- Choose My Plate
- Civil Rights Policy & Procedures
- EBT - Checking Your Balance ( PDF)
- Eat Right When Money's Tight
- How Benefits are Issued (the EBT Card)
- SNAP Manual
- SNAP Reports
SNAP Employment & Training Program (SNAP E&T)
SNAP Legal Basis
- Federal Legal Base - Food and Nutrition Act of 2008
- Federal Regulation Base - 7 CFR, 271 through 283
- State Legal Base - Code of Virginia, Section 63.2-801
SNAP Online Shopping
- SNAP Online Shopping FAQ ( PDF)
Apply Online Using CommonHelp
Changes To SNAP Work Requirements
- FAQs (Web page)
- Amharic mailer (PDF)
- Arabic mailer (PDF)
- English mailer (PDF)
- Spanish mailer (PDF)
- Urdu mailer (PDF)
- Vietnamese mailer (PDF)
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