SNAP Support Hub

SNAP benefits are distributed to SNAP households. The SNAP household includes everyone who you live with and also purchase and prepare food with. SNAP household members do not have to be related. A SNAP household can also only include one person.

When living together, these groups must be included in the same SNAP household regardless of whether they purchase and prepare food together:

• spouse of a household member;
• children under 18 who are dependents of an adult household member who is not their parent; or
• children age 21 or younger who live with their natural, foster, or adopted parents.

No. Since 2021, assets like savings, investments, vehicles, and property are no longer considered in determining SNAP eligibility in Virginia.

Applicants must still document liquid assets like cash-on-hand or money in checking and savings accounts in the Virginia SNAP application because the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires this information.

In Virginia, the asset limit may apply to households that include a person who is 60 or older or has a disability. While those households do not have a gross income limit, the net income must fall below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level, and they must have less than $4,500 in assets.

You may be eligible for SNAP even if you work or receive unemployment.

You can be eligible to receive SNAP if your monthly income is within the limit for your household size, and you satisfy citizenship requirements. However, for some people, their unemployment payments high enough that they are not income-eligible for SNAP.

Refer to the eligible income levels for Sept 2025 to Oct 2026 here.

As of April 2026, receiving SNAP or any other public assistance for housing, health, or nutrition will not have a negative impact on the recipient’s legal status or path to citizenship.

Very few people are subject to the Public Charge test, and the designation is made from many different factors. If you would like to read more about the Public Charge rule, visit this webpage.

This page will be updated if this rule changes under the current administration.

While ALL the names in household (and their contributions to your household income) must be included in the Virginia SNAP application, only the household members who are eligible and requesting SNAP benefits must provide a Social Security number.

Citizenship documentation or immigration status are not required on the Virginia SNAP Application if the person is not requesting benefits for themself.

When completing Part B. Household Composition on the Virginia SNAP Application, you can mark “None” under Programs Requested for household members who are not eligible for SNAP. When you do this, you can leave their Social Security number and citizenship questions blank without penalty. Refer to the photo.

Remember that at least one household member must be eligible for SNAP in order for the household to receive benefits.

As of November 2025, all SNAP recipients between ages 18 and 64 (extended from 54) must work, volunteer, or participate in job training for 80 hours per month unless they meet any of the following exceptions:

• pregnant;
• caretaker of children under 14 years of age;
• caretaker of someone who is sick or disabled;
• permanently disabled or receiving disability assistance;
• declared mentally or physically unfit for work (temporary or long term);
• experiencing chronic homelessness (What does this mean?);
• participating in a drug or alcohol treatment program;
• applying for or receiving unemployment benefits; or
• member of an Indigenous Nation.

Previously exempt groups like the homeless (not chronic), veterans, and adults (18-24 years) aged out of foster care must now meet work requirements.

SNAP recipients with an unsatisfied work requirement can still receive benefits for three months over a three-year period. SNAP households that enrolled before November 2025 may witness a change in their work reporting requirements when they renew their benefits.

Households with work requirements will be asked to check in with their benefits specialist every 6 months.

Recently adopted policy changes for SNAP from HR 1 (Budget Reconciliation Bill adopted in July 2025) that impact work requirements and eligibility will be applied to existing SNAP households when they renew their benefits or complete their interim report (whichever comes first).

The amount of benefits will not change until the household has the chance to submit updated documents describing their financial circumstances. These documents must be provided within the time allotted by their benefits specialist.

If your household is given new work requirements, remember that you can still receive SNAP benefits for up to three months over three years without satisfying the work requirement.

By Phone
**Recommended**

By Paper

You can print out the application (English PDF, Spanish PDF) or call the Arlington Department of Human Services at (703) 278-1300 to have one mailed to you.

You can submit the form by mailing or returning it to 2100 Washington Blvd, 1st floor, Arlington VA 22204.

You can also photograph/scan clear images and send to dhs@arlingtonva.us.

Not applying for SNAP in Arlington? Find your local department of Social Services here.

By CommonHelp Website

Completing the SNAP application can take a long time, but collecting the following documents beforehand can make the process smoother. You will be asked to submit copies of these documents within 30 days of your application.

Acceptable documents to prove the identity of the person completing the application (pick one from list):

NOTE: A non-citizen parent can complete the application for their eligible child.

• driver’s license
• passport
• Voter Registration card
• Social Security card
• birth certificate
• work or school ID
• work visa
• Resident Alien card

You must also submit Social Security numbers for all SNAP-eligible household members.

Acceptable documents to prove household income include:

• pay stubs received within 30 days of the application for all household members who contribute income;
• self-employment or tax records;
• benefit award letters or pension statements;
• records of tips, bonuses, or commissions; and/or
• divorce decrees, alimony, or child support orders.

Acceptable documents to prove household resources include:

• bank statements from past 30 days for checking and savings accounts;
• copies of bonds, stocks, or CDs certificates; and/or
• recent statement(s) for 401K, IRA, pension plans, or other retirement account.

NOTE: assets are typically not considered to assess SNAP income eligibility in Virginia. Reporting this information is still required by federal SNAP rules.

NEW: Acceptable documents to prove household expenses (ideally all from the past 30 days):

• lease or mortgage agreement, rent receipts, real estate tax bill, or homeowners’ insurance;
• utility bills for gas, electric, and water;
• bills for care of children, elderly, or disabled adults;
• out of pocket medical costs for household members who are over 60 years old or disabled; and/or
• Child support payments.

Remember: If you are renewing your benefits, your benefits specialist will now ask for proof of household expenses. This is a recent change meant to ensure your household receives the correct amount of benefits.

All SNAP applications are processed within 30 days of submission unless the household qualifies for expedited service. Applications that qualify for expedited service are processed within 7 days.

The household can qualify for expedited service if:

• its gross monthly income is $150 and its liquid assets are $100 or less;
• its monthly housing costs are greater than its combined income and assets; or
• it includes a member who is a migrant or seasonal farm worker with little or no income and resources.

After you submit your application, a local SNAP benefits specialist will contact you requesting documentation to support your application responses and to schedule a SNAP interview. All applicants (expedited or regular) must submit these documents and complete their SNAP interview within 30 days.

For Arlington residents, communication from the Department of Human Services can come by mail or phone (look out for numbers starting with (703) 228-****), and it is important that you respond quickly. If you do not submit the required documents or do not complete the SNAP interview within 30 days of submitting your application, the application will be denied.

Arlington residents can call (703) 228-1350 to ask about the status of their application. Please do so within 30 days of sending in your application to avoid having to submit a new one.

Not applying for SNAP in Arlington? Find the phone number for your Local Department of Social Services here.

The main intention of the SNAP interview is for the benefits specialist to more completely understand your household’s financial circumstances. It is meant to help you. The questions will be specifically related to the information provided in your application. You should bring the documents listed here to inform your responses.

If you need to reschedule the interview, do so as soon as possible by calling the number on the interview confirmation. If you do not complete the SNAP interview within 30 days of your application, your application will be denied.

You can expect the following questions to be asked during the interview:

• What is your full name and birthday?
• What is your Social Security number?*
• Where do you live?
• Are you a U.S. citizen?*
• What is your monthly income?
• Do you have any type of bank account?
• How do you heat or cool your home, and do you pay bills for either?
• Do you pay rent or mortgage or utilities such as electric, gas, water or telephone?
• Do you pay daycare expenses?
• Do you pay medical expenses?

* Questions of citizenship are specifically asked of the individual(s) applying for benefits.

SNAP benefits are issued monthly to the household’s Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. This works like a debit card, and benefits can be monitored online using ConnectEBT‘s website or mobile app. You can use the EBT card at any SNAP participating retailer including convenience stores, grocery stores, and farmers markets. SNAP can even be used to order groceries online, but it will not cover delivery fees. Participating retailers should have a sign indicating that they accept SNAP/EBT on the door or at the register.

SNAP can be used to purchase:

• fruits and vegetables;
• meat, poultry, fish;
• dairy products;
• breads and cereals;
• snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages; and
• seeds and plants that produce food for the household to eat.

SNAP cannot be used to purchase:

• beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, tobacco, or cannabis;
• vitamins, medicines, or supplements;
• live animals;
• foods that are hot at the point of sale;
• nonfood items: pet food, cleaning supplies, paper products, hygiene products, or cosmetics; or
• starting October 2026: sweetened beverages like soda and energy drinks.

Most households are approved to receive benefits for one year. The amount of time the household receives benefits is called the “certification period.” When the end of the certification period approaches, households are given the option to renew.

Your household will receive a renewal package by mail about a month before the end of the certification period. You will need to complete the renewal application in full and collect photocopies of requested documents. These documents should be dated within the last 30 days if possible. The renewal package must be returned within 15 days of when you receive it, and a renewal interview will be scheduled shortly after.

If the household was enrolled in SNAP before November 2025, recent changes in citizenship eligibility and work requirements will be applied at the time of renewal. Be aware you may also be asked for additional documentation for household expenses. This is a part of the state’s effort to properly allocate benefits.

Yes! SNAP recipients are required to report changes in household composition, shelter costs, address, job, hours, or lottery winnings over $4,500 within 10 days of the change. An informed household member or authorized representative (someone you select to represent your household) can do this using the Change Report form, telephone correspondence, personal meeting with your benefits specialist, or Common Help.

Families who receive SNAP longer than 7 months can report these changes in their Interim Report which they submit midway through their certification period. Virginia Department of Social Services will mail the Interim Report form to these households.

Report changes in your address as soon as possible, so your household doesn’t miss important mail.

No. Receiving SNAP benefits does not create any debt for you or your children to repay.