Close icon
Find Food icon
Donate icon

SNAP: Get Help with Groceries

Food banks across Virginia, united through the Feeding America network, are working together to eliminate hunger, improve community health, and promote financial stability for households across the Commonwealth.

As part of this work, we help eligible families and individuals connect to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits—an essential resource for putting food on the table.

Our Public Benefits Outreach team is here to guide you through the process and make sure you receive the support you qualify for.

📞 Call us with questions (Se habla español): (434) 465-2534
📱 Text us to check your SNAP eligibility: (434) 307-9573

Or simply click the button to get started!

 

standard header
What is SNAP?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as “food stamps,” helps millions of low-income Americans put food on the table, providing benefits that are timely, targeted and temporary. The nutrition assistance program reaches people who need it most, predominantly serving working households with children, elderly and disabled members.

Maximize your benefits!

You could miss opportunities to reduce your net income through qualified deductions! Many older adults don’t apply for SNAP because they believe they will only receive the minimum benefit of $23 per month. The SNAP medical deduction offers a way for adults age 60+ and people with disabilities to apply for a higher benefit. 

By deducting out-of-pocket medical expenses that exceed $35/month, older adults can reduce their net income and receive a greater benefit. According to the National Council on Aging, it is estimated that fewer than 1 in 5 older adults enrolled in SNAP take the medical deduction, but many more SNAP-eligible seniors could qualify to use it. Even seniors enrolled in the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (Extra Help) and Medicare Savings Program (MSP) may have unreimbursed out-of-pocket costs in excess of $35 that would be eligible. 

Medical deductions

For elderly and disabled individuals, medical costs that are more than $35 a month may be deducted, unless an insurance company or someone who is not a household member pays for them. Only the amount over $35 each month may be deducted. Allowable costs include:

  • Most medical and dental expenses
  • Doctor bills 
  • Prescription drugs and over-the-counter medication when approved by a doctor
  • Dentures
  • Inpatient and outpatient hospital expenses, and nursing care
  • Certain transportation costs 
  • Attendant care 
  • Health insurance premiums

Shelter deductions

After other deductions are taken, shelter costs that are more than half of the household’s income can be deducted. Allowable shelter costs include the costs of:

  • Rent or mortgage
  • Taxes
  • Interest
  • Utilities such as gas, electricity, and water

For most households, there is a limit on the amount of the deduction that can be allowed.

Resources

Get help with SNAP