Benefits
Virginia Benefits for Older Adults
Virginia has many programs that can help older adults pay for health care, drugs, food, energy bills, and property taxes on their home. This page lists each kind of help in Virginia, what it pays for, and where to apply. The state or county agency makes the final decision on who gets help. You may qualify even if you own your home or get Social Security.
Kinds of benefits in Virginia
The agency decides who qualifies. The limits below are the published figures — use them to see whether applying is worth your time.
Social Security in Virginia
Social Security pays monthly benefits to retired workers, people with disabilities, and families of workers who have died. You can apply online, by phone, or at a local office. Bring proof of age, your Social Security number, and recent tax or work records. The Social Security Administration decides if you may qualify and how much you get.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Social Security Administration (SSA) |
| What it covers | Retirement, disability, and survivor benefits, and Medicare enrollment. |
| How to apply | Apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local Social Security office. |
| Source | Social Security Administration (SSA) (coverva.dmas.virginia.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Medicaid for Older Virginians (Cardinal Care ABD)
Medicaid in Virginia is part of Cardinal Care. For people 65 or older, blind, or disabled, it can pay for care that Medicare does not pay for, like long stays in a nursing home, help at home, some dental care, and hospice. In 2026, the main income limit is $1,084 a month for one person, with resources up to $2,000. Long-term care has a higher income limit of $2,982 a month. Your local social services office decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS); local Departments of Social Services decide eligibility |
| What it covers | Health care Medicare does not pay for on its own, including long nursing home stays, help at home through CCC Plus, some dental care, rides to care, and hospice. |
| How to apply | Apply at Cover Virginia, through CommonHelp, or at your local Department of Social Services. |
| Limits 2026 | Note: ABD Medicaid limits for 2026 (DMAS ABD Flyer, Cover Virginia). Income limits include the FPL amount plus a $20 unearned income disregard.; Resources: Couple: 3000; Individual: 2000; Long term care: Note: 300 percent of the 2026 federal SSI rate.; Resources individual: 2000; Monthly income individual: 2982; Monthly income: Couple: 1463; Individual: 1084 |
| Source | Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS); local Departments of Social Services decide eligibility (cubrevirginia.dmas.virginia.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Medicare Savings Programs in Virginia
Medicare Savings Programs in Virginia help pay Medicare costs. In 2026, QMB goes up to $1,350 a month for one person and pays premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. SLMB goes up to $1,616 and QI up to $1,816, and each pays the Part B premium. Resources can be up to $9,950 for one person. The state decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) |
| What it covers | QMB pays Medicare Part A and Part B premiums plus deductibles and coinsurance. SLMB and QI pay the Part B premium only. |
| How to apply | Apply through Cover Virginia, CommonHelp, or your local Department of Social Services. |
| Limits 2026 | Qi: Couple: 2455; Individual: 1816; Qmb: Couple: 1824; Individual: 1350; Note: 2026 limits from the DMAS ABD Flyer. Resources up to $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a couple.; Slmb: Couple: 2184; Individual: 1616 |
| Source | Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) (cubrevirginia.dmas.virginia.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
SNAP Food Benefits in Virginia
SNAP in Virginia puts money on a card each month to help buy food. Most households may qualify with gross income up to $2,660 a month for one person. If someone in the home is age 60 or older or has a disability, there is no gross test, only a net income test. The most one person can get is $306 a month. Your local social services office decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS); local Departments of Social Services |
| What it covers | Monthly money on an EBT card to buy food. |
| How to apply | Apply through CommonHelp, by phone, or at your local Department of Social Services. |
| Limits 2026 27 | Note: Virginia DSS SNAP standards, October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. Most households use broad-based categorical eligibility at 200 percent of the poverty level. Households with a person age 60 or older or with a disability skip the gross test.; Net monthly: Couple: 1804; Individual: 1330; Max allotment: Couple: 562; Individual: 306; Gross monthly bbce: Couple: 3608; Individual: 2660 |
| Source | Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS); local Departments of Social Services (www.dss.virginia.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in Virginia
SSI pays each month to people age 65 or older, blind, or disabled who have low income and few savings. The federal rate in 2026 is $994 a month for one person. If you get SSI in Virginia, you still need to apply for Medicaid on your own. The Social Security Administration decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Social Security Administration (SSA) |
| What it covers | Monthly payments for people age 65 or older, blind, or disabled who have low income and few resources. |
| How to apply | Apply with the Social Security Administration online, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local office. |
| Limits 2026 | Note: The federal SSI rate for 2026 is $994 a month for one person. Virginia SSI recipients still need to apply for Medicaid; they are not signed up on their own (Cover Virginia / DMAS). |
| Source | Social Security Administration (SSA) (coverva.dmas.virginia.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Extra Help With Medicare Drug Costs in Virginia
Extra Help lowers the cost of Medicare drug plans. It can pay part of the premium and lower what you pay for each drug. You can apply with Social Security online or by phone. If you get a Medicare Savings Program or SSI, you are signed up on your own. Social Security decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Social Security Administration (SSA) |
| What it covers | Help paying Medicare Part D drug plan premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. |
| How to apply | Apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local Social Security office. People in a Medicare Savings Program are signed up on their own. |
| Source | Social Security Administration (SSA) (coverva.dmas.virginia.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Energy Help in Virginia (EAP)
The Energy Assistance Program in Virginia helps pay heating and cooling bills. It has Fuel help for winter, Crisis help for a heating emergency, and Cooling help for summer. Your gross income must be at or below 150 percent of the poverty level, and you must pay for heat or cooling. Cooling help is for homes with a person age 60 or older, a person with a disability, or a young child. The local office decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS), Energy Assistance Program (EAP) |
| What it covers | Fuel Assistance for winter heat, Crisis Assistance for heating emergencies, Cooling Assistance for summer cooling, and weatherization help. |
| note | Gross monthly income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level, and the household must have a heating or cooling expense (Virginia DSS). Cooling help needs a person age 60 or older, a person with a disability, or a child under 6. |
| How to apply | Apply through CommonHelp, by phone at 855-635-4370, or at your local Department of Social Services. |
| Source | Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS), Energy Assistance Program (EAP) (beta.dss.virginia.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Property Tax Relief for Older Virginians
Virginia law lets each city and county give property tax relief to homeowners age 65 or older or who are fully disabled. Some places cut the tax, and some let you put it off. Each city and county sets its own income rules, so ask your local commissioner of the revenue what your area offers. You may qualify if the home is your only home and you live in it.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Your city or county commissioner of the revenue, under Code of Virginia 58.1-3210 |
| What it covers | An exemption from, or deferral of, real estate tax on the home you live in, if your locality offers it. |
| note | State law lets each locality set its own income and net worth limits, so amounts differ by city and county. The home must be owned by and lived in as the sole dwelling of a person age 65 or older or permanently and totally disabled. |
| How to apply | Apply with your city or county commissioner of the revenue and ask for its elderly and disabled tax relief rules. |
| Source | Your city or county commissioner of the revenue, under Code of Virginia 58.1-3210 (law.lis.virginia.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Aging Services in Virginia (Area Agencies on Aging)
Area Agencies on Aging in Virginia help older adults stay at home. They can set up meals, rides, help with chores, and support for family caregivers. Each area has its own agency. Call yours and tell them what help you need at home. The agency will tell you what you may qualify for.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Virginia Division for Aging Services and local Area Agencies on Aging |
| What it covers | Meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support, and help finding local services for older adults. |
| How to apply | Call your local Area Agency on Aging or the Virginia Division for Aging Services. |
| Source | Virginia Division for Aging Services and local Area Agencies on Aging (coverva.dmas.virginia.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Free Medicare Counseling in Virginia (VICAP)
VICAP gives free Medicare help in Virginia. Trained counselors can explain your plan choices, compare drug costs, and help you apply for programs that pay Medicare costs. The help is free and the counselors do not sell plans. Call your local Area Agency on Aging and ask for VICAP.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP), through local Area Agencies on Aging |
| What it covers | Free, one-on-one help to compare Medicare plans, drug plans, and Medicare Savings Programs. |
| How to apply | Call your local Area Agency on Aging and ask for VICAP counseling. |
| Source | Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP), through local Area Agencies on Aging (coverva.dmas.virginia.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Applying for Benefits in Virginia (DSS and CommonHelp)
You can apply for most Virginia benefits in one place. CommonHelp is the state website for SNAP, energy help, and Medicaid. You can also go in person to your local Department of Social Services. Bring proof of who you are, where you live, your income, and your bills. The local office decides if you may qualify for each program.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) and local Departments of Social Services |
| What it covers | One place to apply for SNAP, energy help, Medicaid, and other state benefits. |
| How to apply | Apply online at CommonHelp, by phone, or in person at your local Department of Social Services. |
| Source | Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) and local Departments of Social Services (www.dss.virginia.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Good to know in Virginia
- Medicaid for people 65 or older, blind, or disabled in Virginia is part of Cardinal Care, run by the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS). The Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) flyer for 2026 lists income up to $1,084 a month for one person and $1,463 for a couple, with resources up to $2,000 or $3,000 (Cover Virginia / DMAS ABD Flyer, 2026). Long-term care uses a higher income limit of $2,982 a month, which is 300 percent of the federal SSI rate.
- Virginia Medicare Savings Programs in 2026 go up to $1,350 a month for QMB, $1,616 for SLMB, and $1,816 for QI for one person, with resources up to $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a couple (DMAS ABD Flyer, 2026). QMB also pays Medicare deductibles and coinsurance.
- Virginia SNAP uses broad-based categorical eligibility at 200 percent of the poverty level. For October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027, the gross limit is $2,660 a month for one person and the most a one-person household can get is $306 a month (Virginia Department of Social Services). Households with a person age 60 or older skip the gross test and only meet the net test.
- Energy help in Virginia is the Energy Assistance Program (EAP) through the Department of Social Services. Fuel, Crisis, and Cooling help need gross income at or below 150 percent of the poverty level and a heating or cooling cost (Virginia DSS). Cooling help needs a person age 60 or older, a person with a disability, or a child under 6 in the home.
- Property tax relief in Virginia is local. State law (Code of Virginia 58.1-3210) lets each city and county choose to exempt or defer real estate tax for homeowners age 65 or older or who are permanently and totally disabled, and each locality sets its own income and net worth limits. Ask your city or county commissioner of the revenue for its rules.
Free local help
Three national programs connect you to help in your own community, at no cost: