The Propel Guide To EBT In Virginia: food stamp (SNAP) eligibility.

To figure out if you qualify for food stamps, Virginia needs to know your:

• Household size: How many people you live and buy/make food with.
• Income: How much money your household makes. This includes both earned income (the money you make from jobs) and unearned income (cash assistance, Social Security, unemployment insurance, and child support, etc.).
• Assets: How much you have in the bank, not including retirement savings or your most recent tax returns. Some states also include real estate, trusts, investments, and vehicles as assets.

Anyone you live and buy/make food with counts a member of your household.

You may live with people who don’t count as household members, like tenants who are renting a room, or adult children (22+) who buy/make their own food.

Children (under 22) always count as household members, even if they buy/make their own food.

Elderly (60+) and disabled people count as household members if you buy/make food for them, or you buy/make food together. If they live with you but buy/make food separately, they do not count as household members.

The best way to determine whether you’re eligible is to start the application process.

Virginia’s asset limit is $2,000. This limit goes up to $3,000 if your household includes at least one elderly (60+) or disabled person. This doesn’t include one vehicle per adult (18+) in the household.

Yes, as long as you aren’t leaving a job or reducing your hours specifically so that you’ll qualify.

You may be required to participate in an employment and training program if you aren’t working or work fewer than 30 hours a week. Some exceptions apply. Visit your local office or call the Virginia SNAP hotline to learn more: 1-800-552-3431.

Yes. If you’re eligible for food stamps, Virginia won’t disqualify you because of a drug felony.

You might have to join a treatment program. You might also face a temporary disqualification period. Call your local office or the Virginia SNAP hotline to learn more: 1-800-552-3431.

Non-citizens who have qualified alien immigration status are eligible for food stamps.

Qualified aliens include refugees, victims of trafficking, Cuban and Haitian immigrants, Iraqi and Afghan immigrants with special status, and more.

Yes. You do not need a mailing address or housing to apply for food stamps. If you’re currently living in a shelter that gives you free meals, you can still apply for food stamps.

Once your child is born, your household size will increase. More household members = more benefits.

While you are pregnant, you can’t get more food stamps, but you can apply for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits.

WIC provides food and resources for pregnant women, new parents, and children up to 5 years old.

Check out this benefit finder tool and find out.