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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Need help buying food? Apply for SNAP today. 

About SNAP 

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly benefits to help lower-income individuals and families buy healthy food. Benefits are issued to a SNAP account and accessed with an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. 

EBT cards work like debit cards—just swipe and enter your Personal Identification Number (PIN) at checkout. Authorized retailers display a “We Welcome SNAP EBT Customers” poster. 

Woman using a self-checkout kiosk at a grocery store while scanning items from a shopping basket.
How It Works
Who Can Qualify
  • Monthly deposits: Eligible households receive automatic monthly deposits. 
  • EBT card: Each household gets an EBT card to spend benefits. 
  • PIN: You must have a 4-digit PIN to use your card. 
  • Where to shop: Use your card at grocery stores, farmers' markets and some meal programs that accept EBT.
  • Work requirements: Adults who can work must work, take part in a work activity or meet an exemption to keep receiving SNAP benefits. See Frequently Asked Questions here. 

Eligibility is based on household size and income. Most households must meet both gross and net income limits. 

  • Gross income: Total income before deductions
  • Net income: Income after allowable deductions
  • Allotment: SNAP expects households to spend about 30% of their own money on food. Benefits are calculated to fill the gap. 

Some households qualify automatically if they already get benefits from programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This is called "categorical eligibility". 

SNAP Update for VaCAP Customers 

Customers who receive SNAP benefits through VaCAP (Virginia Combined Application Project) will have their cases moved to and evaluated through the Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) at their next recertification. VaCAP is ending effective June 1, 2026. 

This does not mean a loss of benefits for current VaCAP customers; it just means a different way of how their case is handled.  

What Is Staying the Same 

  • You may still get SNAP benefits.  
  • Your certification period can still be up to three years (36 months).  

What Is Changing 

  • A case worker may need to speak with you. 
  • Your SNAP allotment will now be based on your income and allowable expenses, so your benefit will NO LONGER be a fixed amount.  
  • You will be required to provide additional information at your next recertification to continue receiving SNAP benefits, including but not limited to: 
    • Income and shelter and medical expenses. 
    • If someone moves in or out of your home.  
    • If someone in your household starts working.  
    • If you have lottery or gambling winnings of $4,500 or more. 
  • Following your recertification, you must report any updates to the information listed above. 

Questions? Contact your local department of social services office. 

SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
INCOME ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS AND MAXIMUM ALLOTMENTS

OCT. 1, 2025, TO SEPT. 30, 2026

*Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
*Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE)

Household Size Non-BBCE Net Monthly Income (100% FPL) Non-BBCE Gross Monthly Income (130% FPL) BBCE Gross Monthly Income (165% FPL) Maximum SNAP Allotments
1 $1,305 $1,696 $2,152 $298
2 $1,763 $2,292 $2,909 $546
3 $2,221 $2,888 $3,665 $785
4 $2,680 $3,483 $4,421 $994
5 $3,138 $4,079 $5,177 $1,183
6 $3,596 $4,675 $5,934 $1,421
7 $4,055 $5,271 $6,690 $1,571
8 $4,513 $5,867 $7,446 $1,789
Each additional member $459 $596 $757 $218

For more information about SNAP eligibility, visit these U.S. Department of Agriculture's webpages: SNAP Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information or SNAP Eligibility.

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