VA · benefits by state
Virginia benefits: SNAP, Medicaid, ACA, WIC and Section 8
Virginia sets its SNAP utility allowance by household size, calls Medicaid Cardinal Care and covers children through FAMIS.
Federal and Virginia figures read on official sources on · Checked by Radif Partners · How we calculate
- SNAP maximum, 4 people
- $1,023
- FY 2027, from October 1, 2026
- SNAP gross income limit, 3 people
- $4,554/mo
- 200% of poverty (BBCE)
- Medicaid, single adult
- $1,835/mo
- 138% of poverty
- Children, family of 3
- $4,667/mo
- 205% of poverty, CHIP
- WIC limit, 3 people
- $50,542/yr
- 185% of poverty, to June 30, 2027
- Section 8 very low income, 4 people
- $39,950 to $83,050
- 133 counties or towns, FY 2026
In Virginia, a family of four can have up to $5,500 of gross monthly income and qualify for SNAP in fiscal year 2027, since the state tests gross income at 200% of the poverty guideline and has no asset test. Its heating and cooling allowance depends on household size: $375 for one to three people and $476 for four or more, which means a new baby raises both the maximum benefit and the utility deduction. A Richmond family earning $2,900 with $1,300 in rent would go from about $364 a month as three to $614 as four. Medicaid, branded Cardinal Care, covers adults to 138% of poverty under the expansion, and FAMIS insures children up to 205%. Housing limits range widely, from $39,950 for four in Accomack County to $83,050 in Arlington.
Household income in Virginia
105% of poverty
$28,800 a year against the 2026 guideline of $27,320 for 3 people
- SNAP food benefitsFY 2027 amounts; $375 utility allowance usedLikely eligible$484/mo
- Medicaid for the parentsVirginia: 138% of the poverty guidelineWithin the limitlimit $3,141/mo
- Medicaid or CHIP for the childrenChildren 6 to 18, 205% of the guidelineWithin the CHIP limitlimit $4,667/mo
- Marketplace premium tax creditAmount depends on the benchmark premium where you liveMedicaid comes first108% of 2025 FPL
- Earned income tax credit (2026)2 qualifying children, single or head of householdCredit at tax time$6,282/yr
- WIC (pregnancy or a child under 5)Nutrition risk is assessed at the WIC clinicWithin 185% of povertylimit $50,542/yr
- Section 8 housing voucherLimits are set by county: check yours in the Section 8 lookup.
A first screening under each program's published 2026 rules; every agency counts income and household its own way and decides on your application. How this is calculated.
A utility allowance that grows with the family
Most states use one heating and cooling allowance for every household. Virginia's USDA-approved table has two: $375 a month for households of one to three and $476 for four or more, plus $54 for a household that only pays a telephone bill, and no limited allowance between the two (USDA SUA table). For the Richmond family, the birth of a third child changes three lines at once: the maximum allotment rises from $808 to $1,023, the standard deduction from $217 to $229, and shelter costs from $1,675 to $1,776. Net income falls from $1,480 to $1,361, and the estimate moves from $364 to $614.
Cardinal Care and FAMIS, one application
The Department of Medical Assistance Services uses the name Cardinal Care for Virginia Medicaid and FAMIS for children's coverage. The CMS table lists children in Medicaid up to 143% of the poverty guideline and in the separate CHIP up to 200%, so a family of four keeps the children covered up to about $5,637 a month. Pregnant women qualify up to 205%, $3,696 a month for a woman expecting one baby, through Medicaid or the CHIP pregnancy coverage. Adults 19 to 64 qualify up to $1,835 a month for one person. Above those lines, Virginia now runs its own exchange, Virginia's Insurance Marketplace, for 2026 coverage with the federal premium tax credit.
205% of the 2026 poverty guideline for your household
205% of poverty, per year
$56,006
| Per month | $4,667 |
| Per week | $1,077 |
| 100% guideline (2026) | $27,320 |
Northern Virginia against the rest of the state
HUD's FY 2026 file has 133 counties and independent cities in Virginia, grouped in 64 areas. The very low income limit for a family of four is $83,050 in Arlington County, the level of the Washington metro area, $56,750 in the city of Richmond and $39,950 in Accomack County on the Eastern Shore. A household of four earning $55,000 a year is very low income in Arlington and above the line in Richmond. Independent cities have their own row in the lookup below, so pick the city if you live in one.
Neighbors: Maryland and the District of Columbia share the Washington housing area, North Carolina also sizes its allowance by household, and West Virginia has some of the lowest housing limits in the region.
SNAP rules in Virginia, FY 2027
Run by the Virginia Department of Social Services · apply online. All households: gross income up to 200% of the poverty guideline, no asset limit.
| Household | Gross income limit | Net income limit | Maximum benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,660 | $1,330 | $306 |
| 2 | $3,607 | $1,804 | $562 |
| 3 | $4,554 | $2,277 | $808 |
| 4 | $5,500 | $2,750 | $1,023 |
| 5 | $6,447 | $3,224 | $1,217 |
| 6 | $7,394 | $3,697 | $1,463 |
| 7 | $8,340 | $4,170 | $1,616 |
| 8 | $9,287 | $4,644 | $1,841 |
| Allowance area | Heating or cooling (HCSUA) | Other utilities (LUA) | Telephone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 members | $375 | none | $54 |
| 4 or more members | $476 | none | $54 |
Cardinal Care (Medicaid) and CHIP income limits in Virginia
Virginia covers adults up to 138% of the poverty guideline under the ACA expansion. Children's coverage above Medicaid is called FAMIS. Agency: Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services · apply. Marketplace for 2026: Virginia's Insurance Marketplace.
| Group | Limit (% of poverty) | Program | 1 or 2 people | 3 people | 4 people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults 19 to 64 without children | 138% | Medicaid (adult group) | $1,835 | $3,141 | $3,795 |
| Parents and caretakers | 138% | Medicaid (adult group) | $2,488 | $3,141 | $3,795 |
| Pregnant women | 205% | CHIP | $3,696 | $4,667 | $5,637 |
| Babies under 1 | 205% | CHIP | $3,696 | $4,667 | $5,637 |
| Children 1 to 5 | 205% | CHIP | $3,696 | $4,667 | $5,637 |
| Children 6 to 18 | 205% | CHIP | $3,696 | $4,667 | $5,637 |
Section 8 income limits by county in Virginia
HUD sets the limits for each of the 133 counties or towns of Virginia (64 HUD areas). For a family of four, the very low income limit that opens a Housing Choice Voucher ranges from $39,950 (Accomack County) to $83,050 (Alexandria city).
Accomack County, VA: FY 2026 income limits
Within the voucher limit
Very low income limit for 3: $36,000 a year
| Extremely low income (ELI), 3 people | $27,320 |
| Very low income (50%), the voucher limit | $36,000 |
| Low income (80%) | $57,550 |
| Your band | Very low income (50%) |
| Adjusted income after HUD deductions | $29,500 a year |
| Estimated tenant payment (30% of adjusted income) | $738 a month |
HUD FY 2026 limits (effective May 1, 2026) and 2026 deductions ($500 per dependent, $550 for an elderly or disabled family). The housing authority decides, and most have waiting lists. How this is calculated.