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Virginia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)


Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) serves as the first line of defense against hunger for Virginia residents. It enables low-income families to buy nutritious food with coupons and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. SNAP recipients spend their benefits to buy eligible food in authorized retail food stores. The program is the cornerstone of the food assistance programs, and provides crucial support to needy households and to those making the transition from welfare to work.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) serves as the first line of defense against hunger for Virginia residents. It enables low-income families to buy nutritious food with coupons and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. SNAP recipients spend their benefits to buy eligible food in authorized retail food stores. The program is the cornerstone of the food assistance programs, and provides crucial support to needy households and to those making the transition from welfare to work.


To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the state of Virginia and meet one of the following requirements:

  • You have a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $2,001, or
  • You have a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $3,001 who share their household with one of the following:
    • A person or persons age 60 and over or
    • A person with a disability (a child, your spouse, a parent, or yourself).

In order to qualify, you must have an annual household income (before taxes) that is below the following amounts:

Annual Household Income Limits (before taxes)
Household Size*Maximum Income Level (Per Year)
1$18,954
2$25,636
3$32,318
4$39,000
5$45,682
6$52,364
7$59,046
8$65,728

*For households with more than eight people, add $6,682 per additional person. Always check with the appropriate managing agency to ensure the most accurate guidelines.


To apply for this program, please visit Virginia CommonHelp.


For more information on Virginia SNAP and instructions on how to apply, please visit the Virginia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program page.

E-mail inquiries can be sent to:
citizen.services@dss.virginia.gov

Please call the DSS hotline to speak with a customer service representative:
1-800-552-3431

You can also identify and contact your local county Department of Social Services (DWS) office by checking the Find Your Local Department page.

1-800-552-3431