The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP (also known as EBT or Food Stamps) provides eligible households with money for buying groceries. Annually, about 42 million Americans use these benefits to meet their nutritional needs. Completing the SNAP application process and accessing benefits can be challenging, but Real Food for Kids is here to help by providing the most updated information for families who want to start the process.
On this page, you will find responses to common questions that we have received during our years of outreach in Arlington, VA. The advice we give is specific to Virginia SNAP but can be useful for prospective SNAP recipients throughout the United States. This page is organized by topic, so you can quickly find the answers you are looking for using the menu. After the questions, you can also find a list of discounts that SNAP recipients are eligible for in Arlington.
If you have additional questions, you can email snap@realfoodforkids.org or refer to the references listed at the bottom of this page.
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Income and citizenship are the only two considerations used to determine SNAP eligibility. At least one person needs to be meet the eligibility requirements for the household* to receive SNAP benefits. If your household is determined to be eligible for SNAP benefits, you are guaranteed to receive them.
* ‘household’ refers to a group of people who live together AND purchase and prepare food together.
These groups may be eligible for SNAP:
- U.S. Citizens (including residents of U.S. Territories)
- This includes children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents.
- Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) for 5+ years
- Individuals who are under 18 or receive disability related assistance are immediately eligible.
- Certain Haitian and Cuban Entrants (Do I qualify?)
- Citizens covered by the Compact of Free Association (Do I qualify?)
Dec 2025: Previously eligible groups like refugees, asylees, and parolees are no longer eligible unless they are a Lawful Permanent Resident. You can read more here.
SNAP income requirements:
- Find the eligible income levels for October 2026 to September 2027 here.
- The household’s gross income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
- Gross income: the combined amount that all members of your household earn through all sources before withholding tax, retirement, or insurance
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The household’s net income is at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level.
-
Net income: the amount of money that remains available to the household after paying for essential needs
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- Households with a member who is disabled or over 60 years old are not subject to the gross income limit. To be considered program eligible, that household’s net income must still be within 100% of the FPL, and they must posses less than $4,500 in assets.
Gross income includes:
- wages,
- pension,
- Social Security or Supplemental Security Income,
- child support,
- worker’s compensation, or
- unemployment benefits.
Net income is calculated using:
- rent or mortgage payments;
- utility bills for gas, water, or electric;
- childcare costs; and
- out of pocket medical expenses for individuals who are 60+ years old or have a disability.
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, their net income must fall below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level, and they must have less than $4,500 in nonexempt assets. Retirement savings and property are not used to determine SNAP eligibility for anyone.
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.
Receiving SNAP will not impact your application for citizenship if you are already have legal residency status (LPR/green card).
For applications for adjustment of status based on work or family received after September 18, 2026, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will consider the applicant’s use of any means-tested public benefit when making their Public Charge determination. Receipt of benefits must have been after Sept 18, 2026 to be considered.
The policy does not change the groups subject to the Public Charge test. Check this table to see if you may be impacted.
This policy will not affect one’s ability to renew their status after using SNAP. If you do not have a path to a green card or already have your green card, the Public Charge test will not impact you.
Receiving public benefits like SNAP does not automatically make an applicant a Public Charge. Factors like age, income, work skills, health, and affidavits of support are also considered.
This page will be updated if this rule changes.
If you have a question about how this change will affect your household, please contact Northern Virginia’s Legal Aid Justice Center. They offer free, legal consultation with services available in Spanish.
Northern Virginia Area :
6402 Arlington Blvd, Suite 1130
Falls Church, VA 22042
Phone: (703) 778-3450
Fax: (703) 778-3454
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.
Applying for and receiving SNAP will not increase a household’s risk of attracting attention from immigration enforcement if their address is already known by US Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS.
There is no added risk in continuing to receive benefits if your address has not changed. Withdrawing from SNAP will not erase a household’s address from their state’s records.
Remember, household members who are NOT requesting benefits do not have to provide citizenship documentation or immigration status on the Virginia SNAP Application.
We recommend that households currently enrolled in SNAP continue to receive their benefits. If you have questions about your family’s data privacy, you can contact Legal Aid Justice Center for consultation on the best action to take for your circumstances:
Northern Virginia Area Location:
6402 Arlington Blvd, Suite 1130
Falls Church, VA 22042
Phone: (703) 778-3450
Fax: (703) 778-3454
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 six months over a three-year period.
Households with work requirements will be asked to check in with their benefits specialist every 6 months.
Yes, the 80 hour/month work requirement can be satisfied through any combination of paid-work, volunteering, or job training.
Minimum volunteer hours to satisfy the work requirement can be calculated by dividing your household’s monthly SNAP benefit by the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hour).
For example: $400 monthly SNAP benefit / $7.25 = 55.2 monthly volunteer hours.
Families can verify their hours by providing documentation on the organization’s letterhead to their benefits specialist. This letter must include the volunteer’s responsibilities and the number of hours completed. This information an also be emailed from a legitimate representative of the agency.
Find volunteer opportunities in Virginia using the Serve Virginia Hub.
You can apply for SNAP in Virginia using one of the following methods:
By Phone
Call 855-635-4370 to reach the Virginia Call Center.
Open Mon-Fri, 6am-7pm.
A representative will walk the applicant through each question.
Translation services are available in multiple languages.
You can also apply for TANF, Medicaid, EAP, and more using this method.
By Paper
You can print out the application (English PDF, Spanish PDF) or call your local department of Social Services to have one mailed to you.
You can submit the form by mailing or returning it to the local Social Services office
You can also photograph/scan clear images and send to them by email.
Find your local department of Social Services here.
By CommonHelp Website
**Recommended**
Visit https://commonhelp.virginia.gov.
You can apply for SNAP and other public benefits on a smartphone or computer.
Requires account setup. With your account, you have 24/7 access to SNAP benefit information, and users can quickly update their information or request renewals.
Navigating the platform can be complicated, but you can use this Quick Guide and Video for assistance.
Completing the SNAP application can take a long time, but collecting the following documents beforehand can make the process smoother. These documents are not required to start or submit the application. If deemed necessary by your benefits specialist, copies will be requested after completing your interview. All requested documents must be submitted within 30 days after the application was submitted.
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;
- signed letter from employer describing pay schedule;
- benefit award letters or pension statements;
- records of tips, bonuses, or commissions; and/or
- divorce decrees, alimony, or child support orders.
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 SNAP benefits specialist will contact you requesting to schedule a SNAP interview. All applicants (expedited and regular) must complete their SNAP interview and send any requested verification within 30 days.
Make sure your mailing address is up to date and you answer calls from your social services office. 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.
Your social services office should contact you 2 to 3 business days after your application is submitted. If they don’t, call the office to ask about the status of your application. If you apply over the phone or by CommonHelp, save your T-number. This is necessary for tracking your case in progress.
Your SNAP application must be processed within 30 days of submission, so it is best to ask promptly!
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 November 1, 2026: sugar-sweetened, carbonated beverages like soda and energy drinks.
Starting November 1, Virginia Department of Social Services will be sending EBT customers new Chip Cards.
Chip cards that employ tap-to-pay protect EBT customers from predatory skimming devices and EBT theft.
Households do not have to take any action to receive this new card. If you have changed addresses recently, alert your benefits specialist immediately. When the new chip card arrives at your home, you have 60 days to activate it and set the PIN. Once the new card is activated, the swipe card will be void.
Your approved monthly benefit amount will not change with the new card.
To further protect your benefits from theft, keep your card locked until it is time to purchase your groceries. Lock the card immediately after, and do not share your PIN.
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! The changes a household must report are determined by the length of their certification period. Families must submit updated information on the following within 10 days and no later than the 10th day of the following month. Reports can be made online through CommonHelp, by phone, or by submitting the Change Report form.
Certification Period is 5 months or longer = Simplified Reporting
- The number of work hours goes under 20 per week for anyone between the ages of 18-64 years if there is a work requirement;
- You have lottery or gambling winnings of $4,250 or more; or
- All the income for your household, before taxes, rises over 130% of the Federal Poverty Level.
- All families in this category will complete an Interim Report halfway through their certification period.
Certification Period is 1 to 4 months = Change Reporting
- Change in the number of people in your household;
- Change of address and resulting shelter expenses;
- Changes in child support obligation or other payments made to anyone outside of the house.
- Significant change in liquid resources, such as bank accounts, cash, bonds, etc.
- Lottery or gambling winnings of $4,250 or more;
- The number of work hours goes under 20 per week for anyone between the ages of 18-64 if there is a work requirement; or
- You stop your job / start a new job or your hours change.
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.
Once you have your EBT card, there are many other opportunities to stretch your dollar. Click on the tiles to learn more about these resources available in Northern Virginia. If you don’t yet receive SNAP, you still may be eligible for some programs based on your household income!
We will add new programs to this list as we find them. Keep checking back for updates!
Arlington County Parks and Recreation
Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation will reduce or waive fees for its classes, camps, fitness memberships, preschool programs, and more for households enrolled in SNAP.
Call 703-228-4747 or visit website to learn more.
Arlington Thrive
Click the image to apply for financial assistance, job training, and/or affordable childcare. Must be an Arlington Resident earning less than 50% Area Median Income (AMI)
Capital Bikeshare
$5/year membership for DMV residents enrolled in SNAP, WIC, TANF, or Medicaid. Includes unlimited bike rides and discounted e-bike rides.
Free and Reduced Lunch
Families enrolled in SNAP with school aged children are automatically enrolled in the free and reduced meal program without completing an application.
FreshFarm Market Share
Use your EBT card to purchase regular boxes of locally-sourced, fresh produce at select farmers markets across Arlington County
Internet and Wifi
Lifeline Support provides up to $9.25 discount for cell/internet plans for anyone enrolled in government assistance.
You may also be eligible for Xfinity Internet Essentials, Cox Connect2Compete, or Verizon Forward
Low Cost Medical Care
Call Neighborhood Health for reduced cost medical and dental care for any age with or without insurance at 703-535-5568.
You can email snap@realfoodforkids.org for assistance or use the following resources:
- Arlington Department of Human Services at 703-228-1300 or dhs@arlingtonva.us
- Arlington County SNAP Line: (703) 228-1324
- Virginia Poverty Law Center: (866) 753-7627
- Virginia Department of Social Services: (800) 552-3431
Real Food for Kids is an equal opportunity provider.
This project has been funded at least in part with Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the view or policies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.