The income limit is the most important food stamps (SNAP) eligibility requirement in Virginia. In this post, In this post, we are going to walk you through the 2023 income limit for Virginia food stamps, including how to calculate how much you will receive in SNAP benefits if approved.
Additionally, we will provide information on how to apply for food stamps in Virginia.
Lastly, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about SNAP benefits in Virginia.
Table of Contents:
- Food Stamps in Virginia
- Who is Eligible for Food Stamps in Virginia
- 2023 Income Limit for Virginia Food Stamps
- How to Apply for Food Stamps in Virginia
- Food Stamps in Virginia FAQs
Food Stamps in Virginia
SNAP (also known as food stamps) offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families in Virginia.
In Virginia, the SNAP program is run by the Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS).
Once you are approved, SNAP benefits are provided on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, that is used as a debit card.
EBT cards are accepted at most grocery stores, some farmers’ markets, convenience, big box stores, and some online stores, like Walmart and Amazon.
SNAP benefits generally cannot be used to buy prepared foods, vitamins, alcohol/tobacco, and non-food items (like soap or toothpaste).
Who is Eligible for Food Stamps in Virginia?
To be eligible for SNAP in Virginia, a household must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be a citizen or legal immigrant
- Must be a Virginia resident
- Your household income must be less than the food stamps income limits for your household size (see chart below)
- With some exceptions, you must work or participate in an employment and training program
- For most households, resources must be under $2,750 to qualify for SNAP or $4,250 in countable resources if at least one member of the household is age 60 or older, or is disabled
Senior SNAP
If you are age 60 and older, you may be eligible for Senior SNAP in Virginia.
Click here to access the Senior SNAP page to learn more about this program.
2023 Income Limit for Virginia Food Stamps
To qualify for SNAP in Virginia, your household income must not exceed 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
You can find out if you may qualify by using the 2023/2024 table below.
Income limits vary according to household size.
Households that contain no elderly or disabled individuals must meet both the gross (income before deduction) and the net income (income after allowable deductions) limits.
However, households that contain an elderly (age 60 or over) individual or a disabled individual must meet only the net income limits.
See the table below for both the net and gross income limits according to household size.
| Virginia Food Stamps Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2024 | |||
| Effective October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 | |||
| Household Size | Monthly Net Income Limit (100% of FPL) | Monthly Gross Income Limit (130% of FPL) | Monthly Gross Income Limit (200% of FPL) |
| 1 | $1,215 | $1,580 | $2,430 |
| 2 | $1,644 | $2,137 | $3,288 |
| 3 | $2,072 | $2,694 | $4,144 |
| 4 | $2,500 | $3,250 | $5,000 |
| 5 | $2,929 | $3,807 | $5,858 |
| 6 | $3,357 | $4,364 | $6,714 |
| 7 | $3,785 | $4,921 | $7,570 |
| 8 | $4,214 | $5,478 | $8,428 |
| Each Additional Household Member: | $429 | $557 | $858 |
How to Apply for Food Stamps in Virginia
There are multiple ways you can apply for food stamps in Virginia.
Option 1 – Apply Online
The easiest way to apply for SNAP benefits is online through the Virginia CommonHelp portal.
Log on to https://www.commonhelp.virginia.gov/ and select “Get Started.”
Option 2 – Apply by Mail or Fax an Application
To apply by mail or fax, download the SNAP application here.
Once you have completed the application, you can submit it by mail or fax.
Instructions on how to do so are included in the application.
Also, you can request an application to be mailed to you by calling 1-855-635-4370.
Option 3 – Apply in Person
If you are unable to apply online or by mail, the DSS has offices statewide to assist you with the application process.
Click here to find your local office.
Food Stamps in Virginia FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Virginia Food Stamps:
What is the Phone Number for Virginia Food Stamps?
If you need help applying for food stamps in Virginia or have further questions about how the SNAP program works, call Customer Call Center at 1-855-635-4370.
How Much Will I Receive in Virginia Food Stamps?
If you are approved for food stamps in Virginia, how much in benefits you get partly depends on the:
- Number of people in your household,
- The total amount of your household’s income, and
- U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Thrifty Food Plan.
The Thrifty Food Plan is a government estimate of how much it costs to provide a household with nutritious, low-cost meals.
In Virginia, the average monthly SNAP amount per person is approximately $232.
| Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount by Household Size for Fiscal Year 2024 | |
| Effective October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 | |
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment |
| 1 | $291 |
| 2 | $535 |
| 3 | $766 |
| 4 | $973 |
| 5 | $1,155 |
| 6 | $1,386 |
| 7 | $1,532 |
| 8 | $1,751 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $219 |
To find out how much you are likely to get in Virginia SNAP if approved, use the calculator below.
In the example provided below, we are using a family of 6 to demonstrate how to calculate your food stamps amount.
When are Virginia EBT benefits deposited?
Virginia food stamps benefits are deposited on your VA EBT Card on your scheduled deposit day. Virginia EBT Deposit Dates are sent out during the first 9 days of each month.
The day your Virginia food stamp benefits are deposited depends on the last digit of your Case Number.
Food Stamp benefits will be made available in your Virginia EBT Card account by 6am on your scheduled deposit day.
Here is the Virginia SNAP EBT Deposit Schedule for 2023:
| The last digit of your Case Number ends with: | SNAP Benefits are available on the: |
| 0 | 1st day of the month |
| 1 | 1st day of the month |
| 2 | 1st day of the month |
| 3 | 1st day of the month |
| 4 | 4th day of the month |
| 5 | 4th day of the month |
| 6 | 7th day of the month |
| 7 | 7th day of the month |
| 8 | 7th day of the month |
| 9 | 7th day of the month |
How Virginia Food Stamps Calculator
Here’s how to calculate how much a family of 6 will get in SNAP benefits.
First, we need to start with the household income.
If you have a countable net income, multiply your net monthly income by 0.3 (30 percent).
Round up this amount to the nearest dollar.
Next, take this amount and subtract it from the maximum benefit level for a household of your size.
From the table above, the maximum a household of 6 could receive in food stamps is $1,386.
The result is the monthly food stamps benefits for a family of 6.
Here’s an example:
Example: Michelle and her family of six (6) have $2,560 in net income after allowable deductions.
To determine the family’s SNAP benefits, take 30% of the “net income” (30% of $2,560) and subtract it from the maximum benefit, as follows:
$2,560 Net Income for Michelle’s family
x .30 (Multiply by 30%)
$768 Countable Income
$1,386 Maximum SNAP for 6 persons
-$768 Countable income (round up)
$618 Monthly SNAP benefits for Michelle’s family
How Many People are on Food Stamps in Virginia?
| Number of People on Food Stamps in Virginia | |||
| As of September 2022 | |||
| September 2021 | September 2022 | Change | |
| Number of People | 771,802 | 825,701 | 7.0% |
| Number of Households | 392,382 | 421,998 | 7.5% |
| Total Benefits ($) | $172,308,641.00 | $235,941,786.00 | 36.9% |
United States Food Stamps Statistics for January 2023:
| Number of People on Food Stamps in The United States | |||
| As of September 2022 | |||
| September 2021 | September 2022 | Change | |
| Number of People | 40,846,833 | 41,665,296 | 2.0% |
| Number of Households | 21,402,558 | 21,907,553 | 2.4% |
| Total Benefits ($) | $9,117,810,630.00 | $9,338,989,005.00 | 2.4% |
What stores accept Virginia EBT online for delivery?
Currently, there are 18 stores that accept Virginia EBT Cards online as payment.
You can use your VA EBT Card and food stamp benefits to purchase approved grocery items and have it delivered directly to your door.
However, your Virginia SNAP benefits cannot be use to pay for delivery fees.
Currently, the following stores accept Virginia food stamps and EBT Cards online:
- ALDI
- Amazon
- BJs Wholesale Club
- Cooper’s Meats
- Earth Fare
- Food City
- Food Lion
- Giant of Maryland
- Martin’s
- Publix
- Safeway
- Sam’s Club Scan & Go
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Target
- Walmart
- Wegmans
- Weis Markets
- Whole Foods
What does Virginia EBT not cover?
Your Virginia EBT Card can not be used to purchase any hot or prepared food item, as well as any non-food items.
Here is a list of items that your VA EBT does not cover:
- Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco
- Soaps, paper products, cosmetics, grooming items
- Pet food (for example, dog food, cat food, etc.)
- Vitamins or medicines
- Food that will be eaten in the store
- Hot foods
Other Items you cannot buy with your VA EBT Card include:
- Charcoal
- Cod liver oil
- Cough drops
- Crabs (cooked and hot)
- Diapers
- Dietary Supplements (for example, GNC, and most protein powders)
- Dry ice
- Energy drinks with Supplement Information labels (for example, 5-Hour Energy)
- Fertilizer and insecticides
- Flax oil
- Fountain Drinks
- Gift baskets (if the food part of the gift basket is less than 50% of the total price)
- Ice cream cone/sundae
- Livestock (for example, live animals or birds)
- Cakes (that are more than 50% non-edible)
- Toilet paper
Income Limit for Virginia Food Stamps Summary
We hope this article on Income Limit for Virginia Food Stamps was helpful.
If so, we encourage you to share this article with anyone who may also find it helpful by using the “Share this” button below.
If you have additional questions about the Virginia SNAP or EBT, please leave those in the comments section below. We are here to help you!
Be sure to check out our other articles about Virginia Food Stamps and EBT, including:
- How to Check Virginia EBT Card Balance
- Virginia EBT Card Discounts & Free Admissions
- Grocery Stores that Accept EBT online
- How to Get 50% off Amazon Prime with EBT
- Eligible Food Stamps Items