Virginia, VA

Virginia Earned Income Credit (EIC) #

The state of Virginia joins 31 other states and the District of Columbia in implementing a version of the Earned Income Credit or EIC, which is modeled after the federal guidelines and eligibility rules.

Virginia’s EIC lets working families claim 20% of the amount of the federal credit, against the state income taxes they owe. However, unlike the federal EITC and similar credits in many other states, Virginia’s EIC is non-refundable.

New Virginia Earned Income Tax Credit (Refundable) #

Starting with tax year 2022, you may be able to claim a refundable version of the Virginia Earned Income Tax Credit equal to 15% of your federal EITC.

Qualifying families now have an option:

1. claim a state EITC up to 20% of the federal credit, not to exceed any income tax owed, or
2. claim a state EITC at 15% of the federal credit and receive a refund of the amount that exceeds any income tax owed.

How much is Virginia Earned Income Credit?

To claim your credit, complete the Virginia Earned Income Credit section of Schedule ADJ, and attach it to your Virginia income tax return.

Virginia Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) #

Virginia TANF] is a temporary cash assistance program for very low income families in Virginia. Its primary aim is to assist families near the poverty level to become self-sufficient.

As a condition of eligibility, active participation in VIEW – the Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare, is required for most people on TANF — for as long as they’re collecting TANF benefits.

How do I apply for TANF in Virginia?

You may apply for TANF in person at your local DSS office or electronically through CommonHelp — Virginia’s online application for public assistance, including SNAP.

Virginia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) #

Virginia SNAP helps low-income people and families in Virginia with cash assistance to buy the food they need for a nutritionally adequate diet.

Eligible SNAP participants are issued a Virginia EBT Card used to make food purchases at grocery stores and supermarkets, in lieu of paper food stamp coupons.

Unless otherwise exempt, all individuals who are able to work must be working or actively engaged in a work activity in order to receive SNAP benefits.

What is the income limit for food stamps in VA?

Most families in Virginia with gross income up to 200% of the federal poverty level, about $4,143 a month for a family of three, qualify for food stamps.

• Family Size Income Limit
• 1 $2,430
• 2 $3,287
• 3 $4,143
• 4 $5,000
• 5 $5,857
• 6 $6,713
• 7 $7,570
• 8 $8,427

Virginia Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) #

Virginia WIC is a federally funded program that provides FREE nutritious foods and supplement diets for eligible pregnant women, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and children under age five who meet the income guidelines.

To be eligible, you must be a resident of the state of Virginia and be individually determined by a health professional to be “at nutritional risk”.

What is the income limit for WIC in Virginia?

WIC is open to Virginia families with a household income less than or equal to 185% of the poverty level.

• Family Size Income Limit
• 1 $2,248
• 2 $3,040
• 3 $3,833
• 4 $4,625
• 5 $5,418
• 6 $6,210
• 7 $7,003
• 8 $7,795

How do I apply for WIC in Virginia?

Application for WIC benefits can be made in person at the Virginia Department of Social Services or via myVAWIC — the official portal to pre-screen and apply for Virginia WIC.

Virginia Medicaid #

Virginia Medicaid serves needy individuals and families in Virginia who lack adequate resources to pay for medical care. Eligible applicants include children under the age of 19, disabled adults, seniors as well as pregnant women.

Virginia is also expanding its Medicaid program to provide a comprehensive dental benefit to poor adults, for the first time, including checkups three times a year to prevent oral disease.

What is the income limit for Medicaid in Virginia?

As Virginia has just expanded Medicaid coverage, eligibility for non-disabled adults now includes parents with incomes up to 138% of poverty. Children and pregnant women are eligible at higher income levels.

A 5% disregard based on the federal poverty level (FPL) for the household size is applied and is reflected in the amounts shown above.

How do I apply for Virginia Medicaid?

Coverage starts Jan. 1. You may apply or check your eligibility at Cover Virginia or by calling 1-855-242-8282 and speak to a person who can answer your questions.

Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) #

FAMIS is Virginia’s health insurance program for children under age 19. It provides access to quality health services for uninsured children in families that earn too much for Medicaid.

FAMIS Plus is Virginia’s name for children’s Medicaid that covers children in families with lower or no income. FAMIS MOMS will cover uninsured pregnant women of any age with income up to 205% of the poverty level.

FAMIS coverage includes:

• Doctor visits
• Prescription medicines
• Hospital care
• Dental care
• Mental Health services
• Eyeglasses
• Immunizations
• Regular check-ups — and more

There are no enrollment costs or monthly premiums for FAMIS. For some services, you will have to pay a co-payment. Most co-payments are just $2 or $5.

What is the income limit for FAMIS/CHIP in Virginia?

FAMIS has the benefit of higher income caps than Medicaid. Children under age 19 qualify with income up to 205% of the federal poverty level.

• Family Size Income Limit
• 1 $29,890
• 2 $40,430
• 3 $50,960
• 4 $61,500
• 5 $72,040
• 6 $82,570
• 7 $93,110
• 8 $103,650

A 5% disregard based on the federal poverty level (FPL) for the household size is applied and is reflected in the amounts shown above.

What does FAMIS MOMS cover?

FAMIS MOMS provides comprehensive health care benefits during your pregnancy and for two months following your baby’s birth as well as dental benefits during your pregnancy coverage.

Virginia Child Care Subsidy Program #

Child Care Subsidy Program provides financial assistance to the neediest families in Virginia to help pay for the cost of child care so they can work or attend education or training programs.

Recipients of TANF are considered income eligible for child care subsidy. Because funding is limited, families may be placed on a waiting list.

If you are eligible and are approved for services, the Subsidy Program will pay a portion of your child care costs directly to the child care provider.

What is the income limit for child care assistance in Virginia?

A family is considered “income eligible” when their gross monthly income is less than 250% of the federal poverty level or $5,179 a month for a family of three.

• Family Size Income Limit
• 2 $4,108
• 3 $5,179
• 4 $6,250
• 5 $7,321
• 6 $8,392
• 7 $9,463
• 8 $10,533

How do I apply for child care assistance in Virginia?

To screen for eligibility or apply online, visit CommonHelp — the official website to apply for public assistance in Virginia such as Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, energy and child care assistance.

Virginia Head Start #

Virginia Head Start serves pre-school children ages 3 to 5 from families living at or below the federal poverty level; providing comprehensive educational, health, nutritional, social services, and parent involvement opportunities.

Children in foster care, homeless children, and children from families receiving public assistance are automatically eligible for Head Start, regardless of income.

What is the income limit for Head Start in Virginia?

• Family Size Income Limit
• 1 $1,215
• 2 $1,643
• 3 $2,072
• 4 $2,500
• 5 $2,928
• 6 $3,357
• 7 $3,785
• 8 $4,213

Home-based services to families and child care for infants and toddlers are also available through Early Head Start. To register your child, contact the Head Start Center closet to your home.

Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP) #

Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP) assist eligible low-income Virginia households in meeting the costs of home heating during the winter season and cooling during the summer months.

To be eligible, households must have a heating or cooling expense and gross monthly income may not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level.

The EAP consists of four components:

Fuel Assistance #

Fuel Assistance helps with home heating costs including late charges, delivery charges, installation charges, and connection or re-connection fees — up to $1,282 per household. Applications are usually accepted from early October until mid-November.

Crisis Assistance #

Crisis Assistance is intended to assist households experiencing or at risk of experiencing a heating−related emergency, when no other resource is available.

Cooling Assistance #

During the summer season, Cooling Assistance provides purchase or repair of cooling equipment or payment for electricity to operate cooling equipment. Payments range from as little as $50 to as much as $700. Applications are accepted June 15 through August 15.

Weatherization Assistance #

Weatherization Assistance enables households to reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient.

What is the income limit for cooling assistance in Virginia?

The maximum gross monthly income, before taxes, for a one-person household is $1,823 and $3,108 for a household of three.

• Family Size Income Limit
• 1 $1,823
• 2 $2,465
• 3 $3,108
• 4 $3,750
• 5 $4,393
• 6 $5,035
• 7 $5,678
• 8 $6,320

How do I apply for energy assistance in Virginia?

To screen for eligibility or apply online, visit CommonHelp or call the Enterprise Customer Service Center at 1-855-635-4370 to apply over the phone.

Virginia Unemployment Insurance #

Virginia Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides temporary replacement of lost wages to workers unemployed through no fault of their own — for up to 26 weeks.

Part of the requirement for continuing to receive a weekly unemployment check is that you must be actively seek a job until you find one. Failure to do so will result in denial of benefits.

How much is unemployment insurance in Virginia?

The state's maximum weekly benefit is capped at $378 and can be as low as $60, depending on how much money you were earning before your lost your jobs.

How do I file my weekly unemployment claim in Virginia?

If you’re a new claimant, call 1-866-832-2363 to file a new claim by telephone, otherwise call 1-800-897-5630 for your weekly benefits. Alternatively, you may file electronically over the internet.

Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG) #

Tuition Assistance Grant Program (VTAG) is designed to assist Virginia residents who attend accredited private, nonprofit colleges and universities in Virginia.

The award amount is based on the number of eligible students and the availability of funds. Based on recent funding thresholds, the maximum award for undergraduates is $5,000 and $2,500 for graduates.

To be considered for VTAG, you must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on time. Application are due July 31 each year but no later than December 1.