Do you qualify for SNAP Food Stamps?



In order to receive SNAP Food Stamps you need to apply, you can get started with how to apply on this website. You can also go to your local SNAP office to receive assistance with your application.

Determining your eligibility for this program will depend on many factors. These include your gross income, your resources and it will depend on the number of people in your household. Your residency and citizenship status will also determine qualification.

U.S. citizens are eligible, but many legal aliens qualify for SNAP Food Stamps too. Those members of a household that are eligible to receive benefits will not be affected by any members of your household that cannot receive benefits. If you would like additional information about immigrant SNAP eligibility please see this website.

Screening for SNAP Food Stamps

Some people would like to prescreen their eligibility prior to apply for SNAP benefits. There are a few ways to do this. Please note, pre-screening is NOT an application, you must separately apply to receive benefits. The USDA provides an online pre-screening tool to help determine if you are eligible for benefits. This tool will also give an estimate of the amount of benefit you may receive. You can access the USDA pre-screening tool here.

If you need assistance in using the USDA's pre-screening tool, a tutorial is available here.

Many states vary on food stamp eligibility criteria, and the only way to determine if you qualify is to find out your state's specific eligibility criteria. Please view the following 'Just the Facts' video about qualifying for SNAP Food Stamps.



Virginia Eligibility Requirements

Some of the basic eligibility requirements for the Virginia-SNAP- Food Stamps include:

  • You must be a US citizen
  • You must be a resident of the State of Virginia

The other eligibility requirements include:

  • Must have a current bank balance of less than $2,001
  • For individuals living with a person over the age of 60, or a person with a disability, one must have a current bank balance of less than $3,001
  • Individuals that can work and are between the ages of 18 to 50 may be subject to a work requirement in order to receive SNAP
  • One must have an annual household income of less than $14,079 (for one individual), and an additional $4,862 for every extra individual living in the house