This site is privately owned and is not affiliated with any government agency. Learn more here.

Food Stamps

Virginia Food Stamp Program

Virginia food stamps empower low-income residents throughout the state to be able to afford high-quality groceries to feed their families. With the funds they receive through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), enrollees may use their SNAP food stamps to buy food at approved grocery stores and markets. This program is available throughout the country but beneficiaries can only apply and receive funding in the states where they live.

SNAP in Virginia is distributed through the state’s Department of Social Services (DSS). Beyond making sure that the state’s program is in compliance with federal regulations, the DSS assigns caseworkers to review and evaluate claimants’ enrollment applications. The department’s tasks are varied. However, one of the DSS’s main responsibilities is to ensure that qualified applicants are able to access the food assistance services they need. Candidates who have a thorough understanding of the process are more likely to successfully enroll in SNAP. Therefore, learning about the program’s requirements and procedures is extremely important for first-time and returning petitioners.

What are food stamps in Virginia?

SNAP food benefits in Virginia are awarded to claimants who enroll in the federal public assistance initiative. This funding comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). However, the program is managed on a state-by-state basis. This helps to keep SNAP accessible since claimants can visit their county offices to file their applications and participate in their enrollment interviews. The DSS awards VA food stamps benefits to candidates who do not have enough earnings to afford quality groceries on a regular basis. Throughout the country, SNAP aims to help reduce the number of families in the United States who are unable to buy enough food to eat.

With SNAP food benefits, claimants can buy a variety of fresh, dry and canned goods. These options include:

  • Prepackaged snack foods, such as granola bars and cereals.
  • Frozen vegetables and canned fruits.
  • Seafood, meats and poultry.
  • Cheese, milk and other dairy products.

Virginia Food Stamps Requirements

The Virginia food stamps requirements that applicants must meet in order to collect SNAP benefits are not extensively and straightforward. First, claimants must be sure that they meet the state’s income requirements for food stamps, which are based on petitioners’ gross and net income levels. Depending on how many individuals live in their households, candidates have different maximum income amounts they must earn less than in order to qualify for SNAP.

Oftentimes, there are several additional food stamps eligibility guidelines that petitioners need to meet before they may collect funds. For example, claimants need to reside in the state. Additionally, some applicants who are between 18 and 50 years of age may need to fulfill work requirements in order to receive food stamps. However, petitioners who are unemployed but participate in work programs, who are child care providers or who meet certain medical requirements may not need to fulfill this prerequisite. However, other able-bodied adults are required to fulfill these criteria to receive benefits in the program. Applicants who do not meet these prerequisites may only qualify for food assistance for three months during a 36-month period.

How to Apply for Food Stamps in Virginia

Prospective petitioners who would like to know how to apply for food stamps in Virginia must be aware that there are two ways to complete this task. First, claimants may file paper applications with the DSS. This option requires applicants to obtain Application for Benefits forms from the state website, fill them out and deliver them to their local DSS office. However, claimants who apply for food assistance using this method need to remember that they are obligated to sign these documents before they turn them in. If claimants do not sign these applications, the department will be unable to process their requests.

Alternatively, candidates can submit an online food stamps application using the state’s website. This is the faster of the two options, and applicants are able to file their petitions from private or public computers.

Preparing for the Virginia Food Stamps Interview

Applicants will need to participate in the Virginia food stamps interview once the DSS receives the candidates’ claims. Furthermore, most petitioners need to report to their nearest DSS office for these conversations. However, certain petitioners may be able to waive this in-person requirement and have phone interviews conducted instead for one of the following reasons:

  • Illness: Claimants who have long-term illnesses may not need to participate in in-person interviews.
  • Transportation issues: Applicants who do not have personal vehicles may be able to participate in a VA SNAP interview over the phone.
  • Work schedules: Petitioners who work when the DSS offices are open may be able to schedule phone interviews with their case workers.

Once petitioners learn where they will need to report for their interviews, they may wonder, “What do you need for a food stamps interview?” These conversations give applicants to the opportunities to prove to their DSS officers that they are who they claim to be. Therefore, petitioners should bring proof of the following information:

  • Identities
  • Addresses
  • Earnings
  • Resources
  • Housing and utility bills

How to Use the Virginia EBT Card

Once claimants have the Virginia EBT card, they can begin spending their SNAP benefits. EBT is short for Electronic Benefits Transfer, which is the method the DSS uses to deposit funds into claimants’ accounts on their designated days each month. Petitioners may wonder, “How long does it take to get the Virginia EBT card?” because they are eager to begin utilizing program funds. However, applicants must remember that they will not receive these plastic debit cards until the DSS approves their applications. After claimants’ see their first deposits reflected in their EBT card balance, however, they may begin making purchases using these cards.

When enrollees find an EBT card balance in their accounts, the funds can be used at any grocery store that advertises that SNAP benefits are accepted. These establishments usually have posters of the Quest logo or images of the EBT card displayed in their storefront windows. However, petitioners who still wonder, “Where can I use my EBT card?” should speak with their caseworkers beforehand and confirm if specific stores participate. Furthermore, beneficiaries also need to confirm before they make their purchases that they have sufficient funds in their accounts to cover their shopping trips. While candidates can oftentimes use a combination of SNAP benefits and personal funds to buy their groceries, recipients should always be aware of their remaining account balances. Enrollees may check this information by:

  • Reviewing their account information online.
  • Checking the total amount printed on the receipts provided on their last SNAP shopping trips.
  • Swiping their cards at certain point-of-sale (POS) machines at grocery stores.
  • Calling the card customer support number.

How to Appeal a Virginia Food Stamps Denial

Generally, applicants have 90 days from when their VA food stamps denial notification is dated to file an appeal with the DSS. Claimants who submit their requests after this time may be unable to have another state official review their cases. Therefore, it is important that candidates submit their requests within their designated time frames.

When petitioners learn that their food stamps application was denied, they will need to fill out request forms to indicate that they want appeal hearings to be scheduled. These requests are then sent to the Division of Appeals and Fair Hearings (AFH).  Within their petitions, applicants need to be sure that they provide reasons explaining why they disagree with the state’s decisions.

How to Renew Your Food Stamps in Virginia

When claimants need to file a Virginia food stamps renewal petition, the DSS will let them know. However, petitioners should anticipate the end of their enrollment periods and already be prepared to file these documents when the time comes. Whether choosing to renew food stamps online or by filing paper applications with the department, claimants are required to provide certain information. Specifically, renewal applicants need to file updates to the information they initially supplied in their first claims. Therefore, candidates submitting a food stamps renewal application must provide information relating to:

  • How many individuals currently live in their households.
  • The amount of income their families earn.
  • Whether or not their family members possess SSNs.
  • What utility or medical expenses their households pay monthly.
  • Any countable assets their families possess.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What income do you need to have in order to be eligible for food stamps in Virginia?

Below is an extensive list of the maximum allowable income in order to qualify for food stamps in Virginia as it corresponds with the number of household members.
1 $1,276
2 $1,726
3 $2,177
4 $2,628
5 $3,078
6 $3,529
7 $3,980
8 $4,430
9 $4,881
10 $5,332
11 $5,783
12 $5,234
13 $6,685
14 $7,136
15 $7,587
16 $8,038
17 $8,489
18 $8,940
19 $9,391
20 $9,842

What can you buy with food stamps in Virginia?

In Virginia, you can use your food stamps/EBT card to purchase food at most grocery stores. Your food stamps  do NOT cover any non-food items such as tobacco and alcohol. It also does NOT cover items such as toothpaste, soap, sanitary papers or pet food. There may be different programs available to help you with those necessary purchase that are not food.

When will I receive my benefits?

In Virginia, benefits are added to your EBT card from the 1st to the 9th of every month, based on the last digits of your case number. The schedule is listed below:
If your case number ends in: 0-3,  benefits will be available on the 1st of the month.
If your case number ends in: 4-5, benefits will be available on the 4th of the month.
If your case number ends in: 6-7, benefits will be available on the 7th of the month.
If your case number ends in: 8-9, benefits will be available on the 9th of the month.

Helpful Links : You can visit the Virginia food stamps website here.