Sorting out benefits doesn't have to be confusing. Virginia has benefits programs for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF cash help, heating and cooling bills, and child care. Food, cash, energy, and child care help start at CommonHelp, and Medicaid starts at Cover Virginia. SSDI and SSI go through Social Security, and VA disability goes through the VA.
Virginia benefits programs at a glance
Program | What it helps with | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) | Monthly income when a health condition stops you from working | Social Security Administration (SSA), or with Turnout |
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) | Monthly income for people with disabilities or older adults with very limited income | SSA, or with Turnout |
VA Disability | Tax-free monthly payments for conditions connected to military service | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) |
Medicaid | Free or low-cost health coverage | Cover Virginia |
ACA Subsidies (Affordable Care Act) | Lower monthly costs for marketplace health plans | Virginia's Insurance Marketplace |
Medicare / Healthcare Advocacy | Health insurance for older adults and some people with disabilities, plus help using it | SSA to enroll, Turnout for advocacy |
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) | Money for groceries | CommonHelp |
WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) | Healthy food and nutrition support for families with young children | myVAWIC |
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) | Help with heating, cooling, and energy emergencies | CommonHelp |
TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) | Cash help and job support for families with children | CommonHelp |
EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) | A bigger tax refund for working people | Your federal and Virginia tax returns |
Child Tax Credit | Lower taxes for families with children | Your federal tax return |
Child Care Assistance (CCAP, Child Care Assistance Program) | Help paying for child care | CommonHelp |
IEP (Individualized Education Program) / Education Advocacy | Special education support at school | Your child's school, or with Turnout |
Disability and income
SSDI
SSDI pays monthly benefits to people who worked and paid Social Security taxes but can't work now because of a serious medical condition. SSA runs SSDI the same way in every state, and Virginia residents can apply online, by phone, or at a local Social Security office. Have your medical records, a list of your doctors, and your work history ready when you apply. If you'd like one-on-one help, you can apply for SSDI with Turnout.
Official resources: SSA's disability benefits overview and the Blue Book listing of impairments.
SSI
SSI is a monthly payment for people with very limited income and savings who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled. In Virginia, the Auxiliary Grant adds to the income of people on SSI who live in a licensed assisted living facility or an approved adult foster care home. The Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) runs it, and you apply through your local department of social services. You apply for SSI itself through SSA. For one-on-one help, you can apply for SSI with Turnout.
Official resources: SSA's Understanding SSI guide, what counts toward SSI limits, and DARS's Auxiliary Grant page.
VA Disability
VA disability compensation is a tax-free monthly payment for veterans with illnesses or injuries connected to their military service. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) decides claims and assigns a disability rating. In Virginia, the Department of Veterans Services (DVS) offers state benefits, including tax exemptions for some disabled veterans. You can also work with a VA-accredited representative when you file. Turnout doesn't represent veterans in VA claims, but you can learn more on Turnout's veterans benefits page.
Official resources: VA's disability compensation overview, how VA disability ratings work, and Virginia DVS benefits and services.
Health coverage
Medicaid
Medicaid is free or low-cost health coverage for people with limited income. In Virginia, the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) runs Medicaid, and Cover Virginia is the state's site for applying and learning about coverage. You can apply at Cover Virginia online. If you get help from your local department of social services with other programs, ask about Medicaid too. If you get an Auxiliary Grant, you're also eligible for Medicaid.
Official resources: the federal Medicaid program at Medicaid.gov and Virginia DMAS.
ACA Subsidies
ACA subsidies are tax credits that lower what you pay each month for a health plan you buy on the marketplace. Virginia runs its own marketplace, Virginia's Insurance Marketplace, so residents shop and enroll there. You can apply at Virginia's Insurance Marketplace. The State Corporation Commission, which oversees insurance in Virginia, can answer questions about health plans. Most people enroll during the yearly open enrollment period, but life changes like losing coverage can let you enroll at other times. If you might qualify for Medicaid, apply at Cover Virginia too.
Official resources: the Virginia State Corporation Commission and HealthCare.gov's guide to lowering costs.
Medicare / Healthcare Advocacy
Medicare is federal health insurance for people 65 and older and some younger people with disabilities, and you enroll through SSA. In Virginia, VICAP, the state's insurance counseling program, offers free Medicare counseling. VICAP counselors can help you compare plans and look into programs that lower costs, like Medicare Savings Programs. When coverage isn't working, like a denial or a confusing bill, you can get one-on-one help from Turnout's healthcare advocacy team.
Official resources: Medicare.gov, Medicare Savings Programs, and Virginia VICAP.
Food and nutrition
SNAP
SNAP gives households money each month to buy groceries. In Virginia, the Department of Social Services (DSS) oversees SNAP, and local departments of social services handle applications. Benefits come on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that works like a debit card. You can apply at CommonHelp, Virginia's online site for many social services programs. After you apply, your local department will contact you for an interview.
Official resources: the federal SNAP program and Virginia DSS SNAP.
WIC
WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support for pregnant women, new moms, infants, and children under five. In Virginia, the Department of Health runs WIC. WIC staff can also connect you with other health and community services. To start, apply online at myVAWIC, then set up an appointment with your local WIC office. At your appointment, staff will check whether you qualify and explain how to use your benefits. You don't need to be on another program to apply.
Official resources: the federal WIC program from USDA and Virginia WIC from the Department of Health.
Home and cash help
LIHEAP
LIHEAP helps households with limited income pay home energy costs. In Virginia, DSS runs this help as the Energy Assistance Program, which has three parts: Fuel Assistance for heating, Crisis Assistance for heating emergencies, and Cooling Assistance for summer cooling needs. Each part has its own application window, and heating applications usually open on the second Tuesday in October. Cooling Assistance is for households with at least one person who is older, has a disability, or is a young child. You can apply at CommonHelp or through your local department of social services.
Official resources: the federal LIHEAP program, Virginia DSS Energy Assistance, and 2-1-1 Virginia, which connects you with local help.
TANF
TANF gives temporary cash help and job support to families with children who have little or no income. In Virginia, DSS oversees TANF, and local departments of social services handle applications. TANF pairs cash help with support to help parents find work. You can apply at CommonHelp, the same site used for SNAP and energy help. After you apply, your local department will contact you for an interview.
Official resources: the federal TANF program and Virginia DSS TANF.
Tax credits
EITC
The EITC is a federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can lower what you owe or increase your refund. Virginia offers three related state credits: a refundable Virginia EITC, a non-refundable Virginia EITC, and a Credit for Low Income Individuals. You can claim only one, so choose the one that helps you most. The refundable Virginia EITC is for people who claimed the federal EITC, and you claim it on Schedule ADJ with your Virginia return. Learn how to claim Virginia's credits from Virginia Tax.
Official resources: the IRS EITC page and free in-person tax prep through VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance).
Child Tax Credit
The Child Tax Credit lowers federal taxes for families raising qualifying children, and part of it can come back as a refund. The IRS runs it the same way in Virginia as in every other state. You claim it on your federal tax return using Schedule 8812, the IRS form for the Child Tax Credit. Keep your children's Social Security numbers handy when you file. If you'd like free help, VITA volunteers prepare returns for people who qualify.
Official resources: the IRS Child Tax Credit page and free in-person tax prep through VITA.
Children and education
Child Care Assistance (CCAP)
Child Care Assistance helps families with limited income pay for child care. In Virginia, the Child Care Subsidy Program helps eligible families pay for care, and you apply through your local department of social services. It helps parents pay for care so they can work or go to school. You can apply at CommonHelp, the same site used for SNAP and TANF. Your local department may ask for proof of income and your child care provider's information.
Official resources: the federal Office of Child Care and Virginia's guide to paying for child care.
IEP / Education Advocacy
An IEP is a written plan for a child with a disability that spells out the special education services the school will provide. The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) gives your child this right. In Virginia, the Department of Education (VDOE) oversees special education in public schools. Ask your child's school for an evaluation in writing. If you'd like someone in the meeting with you, Turnout's education advocacy team starts with a free case review.
Official resources: the federal IDEA website and VDOE special education.
What this means for you
- Start with CommonHelp for SNAP, TANF, energy help, or child care, and Cover Virginia for Medicaid.
- Gather your papers before you apply: ID, proof of address, recent pay stubs, and any medical or school records.
- Watch the energy help dates. Heating, crisis, and cooling help each have their own application window.
- File your Virginia tax return so you can claim a Virginia EITC or the Credit for Low Income Individuals if you qualify.
FAQ
When can I apply for heating help in Virginia?
Fuel Assistance applications usually open on the second Tuesday in October and run for about a month. Crisis Assistance for heating emergencies and Cooling Assistance for summer needs have their own windows, so check with your local department of social services.
Does Virginia add anything to SSI?
If you get SSI and live in a licensed assisted living facility or an approved adult foster care home, you may qualify for an Auxiliary Grant. People who get an Auxiliary Grant are also eligible for Medicaid.
Does Virginia have its own tax credits for working families?
Yes. Virginia offers a refundable Virginia EITC, a non-refundable Virginia EITC, and a Credit for Low Income Individuals, but you can claim only one, using Schedule ADJ on your state return.
Turnout is not a law firm and does not provide legal or tax advice
It's your turn
You don't have to sort through all 14 programs on your own. Turnout's free Virginia benefits scan asks a few plain-language questions about your household and income, then shows which programs you may qualify for. It takes about three minutes and gives you a clear place to start today.