SNAP Toolkit 

Financial Eligibility 

SNAP eligibility is based on household income and expenses. In SNAP, a “household” is everyone who lives together and prepares meals together, even if the individuals are not family members. This means that, depending on the circumstances, your household could include roommates, landlords, unmarried partners, stepparents, grandparents, and others. Medicaid defines “household” differently, so just because someone you live with is not included in your Medicaid case does not mean that they should not be included in your SNAP case. Failing to report someone who is in your household for SNAP could result in overpayments, underpayments, and/or fraud investigations, among other penalties. 

SNAP considers the following information when determining financial eligibility:  

• Income for all household members. 

• All income and income sources must be reported in a SNAP application. This includes income from work, self-employment, side jobs, odd jobs, temporary work, and income from other sources such as property, disability benefits, and unemployment benefits. In general, if someone receives money from any source, it must be reported in the SNAP application, except in very limited circumstances.  

• Expenses for certain needs, including: 

• Rent or mortgage payments; 

• Utility bills, including electric, gas, water, sewer, trash, and phone bills; 

• Temporary shelter expenses if experiencing homelessness (such as the cost of a hotel stay); 

• Medical expenses not covered by insurance or hospital financial assistance, if the applicant is over age 60 or has a disability certified by the Social Security Administration, Railroad Retirement Fund, or Veterans Administration; 

• Dependent care (such as childcare, adult day care, special needs care, or other care that the household must pay for to allow an adult in the household to work); and 

• Homeowner’s insurance, real property taxes, or homeowner’s association fees.  

The Department of Social Services (“DSS,” the state agency that processes SNAP applications) will require every household applying for or recertifying SNAP benefits to verify (provide evidence of) all expenses that the household claims on the application. This will require households to turn in copies of payment receipts, bills, or other documentation confirming how much the household pays for each expense, how regularly it is paid, and to whom it is paid.  

To estimate your SNAP eligibility, you can use this calculator. (Note: this calculator is not associated with LAJC or DSS and is intended to provide an estimate of eligibility or monthly benefits. It is not an application for benefits and does not provide official eligibility determinations. If interested in applying for benefits, see below for more information on how to do so.)  

Nonfinancial Eligibility  

SNAP is not available to everyone who is low-income. SNAP is only available to people living in the community (meaning they do not live in institutions that provide their meals), who have not been banned from the program for program violations (see below for more details), and who meet all work requirements (if applicable) and noncitizen eligibility requirements (if applicable).  

Immigration Status 

SNAP is unavailable for certain noncitizens. In July 2025, the U.S. Congress made the program more restrictive than it was before, so it is possible that some people who were eligible before July 2025 are no longer eligible for benefits. Now, SNAP is available only to:  

• Any U.S. citizen (born or naturalized); 

• Lawful permanent residents; 

• Lawful permanent residents must also meet one of the following criteria:  

• Have held their green card for five years or more; 

• Have worked and reported income to the Social Security Administration in the U.S. for over 10 years; or 

• Have adjusted their status from asylum, refugee, t-visa, or other humanitarian status (Note: the application to adjust status must be approved before the person may be eligible for SNAP). 

• Certain Cuban or Haitian Entrants; and  

• Certain beneficiaries under the Compact of Free Association (“COFA”).  

Applicants who cannot show that they meet the above criteria will be denied SNAP benefits. Importantly, DSS may not require anyone who does not seek benefits for themselves to provide evidence of immigration status.  

Work Requirements 

There are two sets of work requirements that individuals must meet (or be exempt from) to be eligible for SNAP benefits: 

1. General work requirements: SNAP requires individuals aged 16-59 to register for work or participate in SNAP Employment and Training (also known as “SNAP E&T”), unless they meet an exemption.  

1. To meet this general work requirement, impacted adults will be asked to show DSS that they: 

1. Work at least 30 hours per week (or earn at least $217.50); or 

2. Participate in work registration or in SNAP E&T. 

2. Some people are exempt from meeting the general work requirement, including those who: 

1. Meet work requirements for another public benefits program, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (“TANF”) or Unemployment Compensation; 

2. Care for a child aged 6 or younger, or someone with disabilities; 

3. Participate in a drug or alcohol treatment program; or  

4. Attend school or professional training at least half-time (Note: college students are subject to other requirements).  

If you are unable to meet the general work requirement or show that an exemption applies, you will be ineligible for benefits for at least one month, or until you can show that you do meet the general work requirement/an exemption.  

2. Time Limit Work Requirements for Adults Without Disabilities or Dependents (sometimes called “ABAWD requirements” or “the SNAP time limit”): Any SNAP applicants or beneficiaries aged 18-64 must meet an additional work requirement to remain eligible for SNAP. Specifically, people aged 18-64 must be able to show DSS that they work at least 80 hours per month, or to show that they are exempt from these requirements. 

1. You can show that you meet the ABAWD requirement by providing evidence to DSS that you:  

1. Work at least 80 hours per month (paid work or volunteering with qualified organizations); 

2. Participate in a work program, such as SNAP E&T; or 

3. Participate in a combination of paid work, volunteering, and/or work programs for at least 80 hours per month. 

2. You may not be required to meet the ABAWD requirement if you:  

1. Are exempt from the “General” work requirements (see above); 

2. Are unable to work due to physical or mental disability (permanent or temporary); 

3. Are Pregnant; 

4. Are caring for a child aged 13 or younger; or 

5. Are caring for someone with a disability.  

Until recently, veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth were also exempt from the ABAWD requirements – that is no longer the case as of December 1, 2025. Before terminating or limiting SNAP benefits, however, DSS must evaluate households to determine whether they may still be exempt under another category (for example, disability or caregiving).  

If you are unable to meet the ABAWD work requirements or show that an exemption applies, you will lose your benefits after three months, or until you can show that you do meet the ABAWD work requirements/an exemption. If you cannot meet the ABAWD work requirements and do not meet an exemption, you will be limited to three months’ worth of SNAP benefits in a three-year (36-month) period. 

To be screened for SNAP benefits, you must submit an application to the Department of Social Services (“DSS”) in your locality (the county or city where you live). You can submit an application online via CommonHelp Online, by fax, in-person, or by phone. LAJC does not recommend applying over the phone because you will not get a receipt after submitting the forms. To submit in-person or by fax, you will need to complete the form and submit it to the DSS in your locality. You can find the address and fax number for your locality here.  

If you want to submit by fax or in-person, you will need to complete the paper application, available on this page. If you cannot complete the entire application, you must at minimum:  

• List your full name and address in Part A (on page 4); 

• Include your phone number in Part A (on page 4); and 

• Sign the last page (on page 15). 

DSS is required to assist you in completing the rest of the application or to assist you in providing the information required to determine whether your household is eligible.  

For detailed guidance on how to prepare a SNAP application, please refer to these annotated guides. Note: These guides are not legal advice. They provide context and background into how to complete the application. Do not submit these guides to the DSS.  

After submitting the application, you will be asked to complete an interview with the DSS worker processing your case. You may not get notice in advance of when the interview is scheduled. If you miss the DSS worker’s call, you must reach out to them right away (preferably the same day). Keep a record of when and how you attempted to reach the worker. If you are unable to reach the worker, go to DSS in-person to complete or schedule the interview. You cannot be approved for SNAP until you complete the interview.  

If you did not provide all required documents with your application, DSS may request that you send:  

• Birth certificates and/or social security numbers for all people applying for benefits;  

• Receipts or bills showing the cost of expenses listed on the application (such as rent receipts, electric bills, hospital bills, etc.); 

• Pay stubs or other income verification for all household members who are working;  

• Benefit statements for any disability benefits, unemployment, or other benefits that anyone in the household receives;  

• Proof of eligible immigrations status for anyone in the household seeking benefits;  

• Address verification; or 

• Any other documents required to assess eligibility.  

Note: You are not required to send DSS any documents that are not required to prove eligibility. If DSS requires you to provide documents that you don’t think you are required to send, contact a legal aid attorney right away.

SNAP is not designed to cover a household’s full cost of food for a month. As indicated in the name, it is a “supplemental” program, so generally speaking, households are still expected to contribute 30% of their net income to food. Similarly, benefits are calculated based on the total number of eligible household members (see above for a definition of SNAP “households”). So, if there are members of a household who are not eligible because of immigration status or because they are unable to meet the work requirements, monthly SNAP benefits will be reduced for the household.  

• To use your SNAP EBT card, you must activate the card by calling the EBT Helpline at 1-866-281-2448.  

• You will need the last four digits of the head of household’s social security number to access your EBT card the first time. Then, you will be prompted to set a new 4-digit PIN. Do not share this PIN with anyone, and change it frequently.  

• If the head of household does not have a social security number, contact LAJC for more instructions. You can find LAJC’s office contact information on our Get Help page.  

• You can check your balance by calling the EBT helpline (1-866-281-2448) or by using the ConnectEBT App. 

• Note: ConnectEBT App is the only phone app that you should use to track your SNAP benefits. Other apps are available but may be hacked to steal (or “skim”) your benefits.  

• You can use the ConnectEBT App to “lock” your card when you are not using it. 

• Protect Yourself from SNAP/EBT Skimming: 

• SNAP/EBT “skimming” is when someone steals your SNAP benefits from your EBT card. Usually, benefits are stolen right after the monthly benefits are deposited into the account (so on or around the first week of the month).  

• Best practices to prevent skimming:  

• Do not share your PIN with anyone; 

• Keep your EBT card in a secure place when not using it;  

• “Lock” your card when you’re not using it (this can be done using the ConnectEBT app); 

• Do not use any apps other than ConnectEBT; 

• Delete the card from any online accounts (such as Instacart) after each use; 

• Change your PIN every month just before the next month’s benefits are issued (for example, if your benefits are usually available on the 1^st of the month, change your PIN on the 25^th of the month before); and 

• Use your card only at authorized/EBT-approved vendors.  

• In the past, the U.S. Congress allowed states to replace benefits that had been stolen. This is no longer allowed as of January 1, 2026. So, if your benefits are stolen, you likely will not be able to get those benefits back.  

• If your benefits are stolen, you should:  

• Report the loss to DSS (you will likely have to complete a report form); 

• Request a new EBT card; 

• Change your PIN; and  

• Monitor your account closely for any future skimming.  

Obligations Under SNAP 

Households approved to receive monthly SNAP benefits are required, under federal law, to:  

• Use benefits only at authorized/EBT-approved vendors (usually major chains). To see the full approved list, see here. 

• Note: Using benefits at stores or vendors that are not approved to accept EBT could lead to a criminal investigation and/or repayment of the misused benefits.  

• Report changes to DSS within 10 days: 

• Approved households are required to notify DSS every time any of the below changes:  

• Address, phone number, or other contact information; 

• Employer, work hours, and/or pay rate; 

• Immigration status; 

• Rent or mortgage expenses; 

• Utility expenses (increase or decrease by more than $50); 

• Move out of Virginia; 

• Someone moves from household; 

• Someone moves into household, who is not listed on current SNAP case; 

• New child support or alimony orders (to be paid or received), or changes to existing orders; 

• New lottery or gambling winnings; 

• Changes to assets (for example, buying or selling a home, a new savings account, etc.); and 

• Any other changes that may impact SNAP eligibility or benefit levels. 

• Failure to report any of the above changes within 10 days could result in lost benefits, reduced benefits, criminal investigation, and/or a decision that the household (or member of the household) can no longer receive SNAP benefits.  

• If you receive more benefits than you are actually eligible for, DSS is required to ask you to repay the benefits.  

• Receiving more benefits than you are actually eligible for is called an “overpayment.” DSS is required, under federal law, to ask you to repay all overpayments even if they aren’t your fault. If you receive a request to repay benefits, you should be provided a “Repayment Agreement” form. 

• You are not necessarily required to actually repay the benefits. You can request a “compromise” from the DSS if: 

• You don’t think you can repay the claim within 3 years (36 months); or  

• If your monthly housing expenses are higher than your monthly gross income.  

• DSS is not allowed to “compromise” on the overpayment if it determines that the overpayment was caused by: 

• An intentional program violation (such as purposely not telling DSS that someone in the household no longer lives there and continuing to receive benefits for that person); 

• The claim has already been certified for collection; or  

• The household’s gross income is higher than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. 

Failure to repay or respond to requests to repay overpayments could lead to referral for criminal investigation, referral to the treasury to garnish wages or collect on tax refunds, suspension from the program, and/or other collection efforts.  

• You must promptly respond to all requests for information from DSS, including requests sent via mail (such as interim reports or recertification packets) and phone interviews.  

• Failure to respond to DSS could result in delays processing your application, reduced benefits, and or termination from the program. 

When to Call an Attorney 

You should contact an attorney right away if:  

• Your benefits have been reduced without explanation or if you disagree with the reason that DSS provided for reducing your benefits; 

• Your benefits have been terminated without explanation or if you disagree with the reason that DSS provided for terminating your benefits; 

• Your application for benefits has been denied without explanation or if you disagree with the reason that DSS provided for denying your application; 

• You submitted an application, interim report, or recertification and have not received a response from DSS within 30 days of submitting; 

• It is important to keep records of when you submit forms and paperwork to DSS, including what you submitted, when you submitted it, and how you submitted it. DSS is required to process almost all information it receives for SNAP within 30 days (with some limited exceptions). If you do not receive a response within 30 days, you have the right to challenge DSS’s failure to act.  

• DSS asked you questions that were not relevant to your SNAP application and told you that you must answer them or your application will be denied. 

You are not required to attempt to contact your DSS worker before contacting an attorney or filing an appeal. If you want to challenge an action from DSS, do so as soon as possible. There is a 90-day limit to filing administrative appeals, so if it has been more than 90-days since DSS’s action, you may be advised to apply again. NOTE: DSS may advise you that you must apply again to receive a new determination or action on your case, but if you are still within the 90-day appeal window, you are not required to apply again. You should contact an attorney right away if DSS has advised you that your only option is a new application.  

Information from the Virginia Department of Social Services on SNAP in Virginia is available here. Visit this link to access paper application forms, change reports, appeal forms, the SNAP manual, and other key information about participating in the program.  

Visit here to find your local Department of Social Services’ contact information.