Income and Resource Limits That End Your Case

Virginia's food stamp program, called SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), has income and resource thresholds. If your household income or assets exceed these limits, you will not receive benefits, even if you meet every other requirement.

Income limits depend on household size and change yearly. For 2024, a single person cannot earn more than about $1,550 per month gross income; a family of three cannot exceed roughly $3,300 per month. These figures include wages, unemployment, Social Security, and child support you receive. Your state caseworker will calculate your exact limit based on your household composition.

Resources—money in bank accounts, vehicles, property you own—also matter. Virginia allows households to have up to $2,750 in countable resources, or $4,250 if at least one person is age 60 or older. A car you use for work or transportation usually does not count. A second vehicle, savings accounts, and investment accounts do count toward this limit.

Key Takeaways

  • Earning more than Virginia's monthly income limit for your household size will disqualify you, even if you have no other income sources.
  • Having more than $2,750 in countable resources (or $4,250 if someone is 60+) stops you from receiving SNAP, regardless of income.
  • Certain immigration statuses, including undocumented immigrants and most non-citizens, are not may be able to access for Virginia SNAP.
  • A felony drug conviction within the past ten years can permanently bar you unless Virginia grants a waiver or you meet specific exceptions.
  • Failing to report changes in income, household members, or address, or refusing to cooperate with work requirements, can end your benefits.

Immigration Status Barriers

Not all people living in Virginia can receive SNAP. Undocumented immigrants are not may be able to access under federal law. Most non-citizens are also barred unless they fall into narrow categories: lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, or people granted withholding of removal.

Non-citizens who are in the country legally but do not hold one of these statuses—such as visa holders or people with pending cases—cannot receive SNAP. Virginia does not override this federal rule. You will need to provide proof of citizenship or may be able to access immigration status when you apply; if you cannot, your case will be denied.

Drug Felony Convictions and Work Requirements

A felony conviction for drug possession or sale within the past ten years will disqualify you from SNAP in Virginia. This is a federal rule that applies to all states. The ten-year period runs from the date of conviction, not arrest.

Virginia does allow some people to regain may be able to access: if you complete a drug treatment program, you may petition to have the ban lifted. You must show proof of completion to your caseworker. Without treatment completion or a waiver, the disqualification stands for the full ten years.

Separately, SNAP requires most adults ages 16 to 59 to work or participate in a work program. If you are able-bodied and do not meet a work exemption—such as caring for a child under six, being disabled, or being over 60—you must work at least 20 hours per week or enroll in a job training program. Refusing to comply will end your benefits.

Failure to Report Changes or Cooperate

Virginia requires you to report changes within ten days: a new job, a raise, a household member moving in or out, a change of address, or a change in childcare costs. If you do not report and the state discovers the change during a review, your case can be closed for non-cooperation.

You must also cooperate with the state's verification requests. If your caseworker asks for pay stubs, a lease, proof of citizenship, or other documents and you do not provide them by the deadline, your case will be denied or closed. The state will give you a deadline in writing; missing it is grounds for disqualification.

If you are required to participate in a work program or job search and you miss appointments or do not show up, you will lose your benefits. Virginia's SNAP program tracks attendance and reports non-compliance to the state.

Citizenship and Identity Documentation

You must prove you are a U.S. citizen or an may be able to access non-citizen to receive SNAP. Virginia accepts a birth certificate, passport, naturalization papers, or a state ID that shows citizenship. If you cannot provide one of these documents, you will be denied.

The state also requires a Social Security number for every household member age five and older. If someone in your household does not have a number and cannot obtain one, that person cannot be counted as part of your household for benefit purposes. In some cases, this reduces your benefit amount; in others, it may make you ineligible if the person without a number is the only one with income.

Disqualification for Fraud or Misrepresentation

If you intentionally give false information on your SNAP application—such as hiding income, lying about household members, or claiming to live at an address where you do not—Virginia can disqualify you. The length of the ban depends on the severity and whether it is a first or repeat offense.

A first fraud finding usually results in a disqualification of three months to one year. A second offense within five years can mean one to two years. A third or subsequent offense can result in permanent disqualification. Virginia's Department of Social Services investigates suspected fraud and notifies you in writing if they find a violation.

Outstanding Overpayments and Debt

If Virginia has determined that you received SNAP benefits you were not may have access to to—an overpayment—the state can hold back part of your new benefits to recover that debt. This does not disqualify you outright, but it reduces what you receive each month.

However, if you owe a debt to another state's SNAP program or to a federal benefit program, Virginia may deny your application until the debt is resolved. You can request a hearing to dispute an overpayment if you believe it was calculated incorrectly or if you have a good reason for the error.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get SNAP if I am on disability or Social Security?

Yes, disability and Social Security income count toward your income limit, but they do not disqualify you by themselves. If your total household income—including these benefits—stays below Virginia's limit for your household size, you can receive SNAP. The state counts the full amount of these benefits as income.

What happens if I get a job and my income goes over the limit?

Your case will close when your income exceeds the limit. You must report the job and your new income within ten days. Virginia will calculate your final benefit amount and close your case. If you lose the job later, you can reapply, but you must report the job loss within ten days to restart benefits quickly.

Can I appeal if I am denied for not meeting work requirements?

Yes, you have the right to a hearing. You can request one in writing within 30 days of the denial notice. At the hearing, you can explain why you could not work or attend the program—for example, if you were sick or had a childcare emergency. Virginia must consider your reason before upholding the denial.

Does having a criminal record other than a drug felony disqualify me?

No. Virginia's SNAP program does not disqualify people for non-drug felonies or misdemeanors. Only drug possession or sale convictions within the past ten years trigger the federal ban. Other criminal history does not affect your SNAP status.

What if I disagree with Virginia's decision that I am ineligible?

You can request a fair hearing within 30 days of receiving the denial notice. Send a written request to your local SNAP office or call the Virginia Department of Social Services. At the hearing, you can present documents, witnesses, and your side of the story. An independent hearing officer will decide whether Virginia made the right call.