The Medical Assistance (MA) program (Medicaid) was established under Title XIX of the Federal Social Security Act to enable states to provide medical and health-related services for certain individuals and families with low incomes. The program is financed with state and federal funds. VDSS works in partnership with the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), the state agency responsible for the general administration of the Medicaid program in Virginia. 

Determination of eligibility for Medicaid and related social services is the responsibility of local departments of social services, under the direction of the VDSS.

Check you eligibility:  https://www.coverva.org/eligibility/

How to apply for coverage:  https://www.coverva.org/apply/

The Virginia Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is comprised of four components: Fuel Assistance, Crisis Assistance, Cooling Assistance and Weatherization. 

Fuel Assistance - Offsets Heating Fuel Costs

Crisis Assistance - Applies to Heating Emergencies

Cooling Assistance - Applies to Cooling Utility Bills & Equipment

Weatherization Assistance - Applies to Energy efficiency & Air Filtration

Apply for assistance online using CommonHelp:

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.  SNAP can also be used for online grocery shopping at Amazon and Walmart.

How to Apply

Option 1: Screen for eligibility and/or apply online through CommonHelp  
Option 2: Call the Enterprise Customer Service Center at 1-855-635-4370 (Monday - Friday 7 am - 6 pm) to apply over the telephone. 
Option 3: Submit an application manually and return it to your local department of social services.  

You are encouraged to apply for food stamps the same day you contact the agency for assistance.

Benefits Timeline

We encourage you to complete the application as quickly as possible; the date of the application determines the processing time and amount of benefits for the first month.

You may be eligible for expedited processing, which means that you will receive your benefits within 7 days. Normal processing time for SNAP is 30 days.

Other Programs

Separate rules exist for the SNAP program and other programs so the entire household should apply even if other programs have limitations on the receipt of benefits.

PLEASE NOTE:  February 16, 2023, will be the last issuance of the SNAP emergency allotments. Benefits will return to normal levels in March 2023.

 For more information, please visit the Commonwealth of Virginia page: SNAP EMERGENCY ALLOTMENT INFORMATION or contact the temporary information line at 1-855-635-4370, Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. beginning Monday, January 30, 2023.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (known as TANF) provides temporary cash assistance and employment-related services to enable families with children to become self-supporting. The program promotes economic independence through participation in the Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW) program, which offers employment-related activities, education, training, and needed support services.

Apply for TANF:

Key features and requirements of the VIEW program:

• Adults receiving TANF in Virginia, who are able to work, must participate in VIEW when their youngest child is 12 months of age or older.
• Parents must work or participate in certain work activities the whole time they are in VIEW.
• VIEW participants sign an agreement that documents their willing participation in the program and their acceptance of responsibility to work to achieve independence from welfare. Participation in the VIEW program is a demanding full-time commitment.
• TANF eligibility is limited to 24-month periods for VIEW participants, followed by a 24-month break. Extensions may be granted for specified hardships. Federal law limits TANF assistance to a maximum of 60 months.
• VIEW participants who obtain employment may earn up to the federal poverty level and still receive TANF.

An Auxiliary Grant (AG) is an income supplement for individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and certain other aged, blind, or disabled individuals who reside in a licensed assisted living facility (ALF), an approved adult foster care (AFC) home, or an approved supportive housing setting. Not all ALFs accept AG payments.