Important Benefit Changes You Should Know

Eligibility for Non-Citizen Adults — Beginning October 1, 2026

• Legal Permanent Residents
• Cuban-Haitian entrants
• COFA migrants

Shorter Retroactive Coverage — Beginning January 1, 2027

• Individuals 19–64 years old who earn less than 138% of the federal poverty level: coverage will go back 1 month
• All other members: coverage will go back 2 months

More Frequent Eligibility Reviews — Beginning January 1, 2027

Work and Community Engagement Requirement — Beginning January 1, 2027

• Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) - New Federal Requirements
• Virginia Department of Social Services’ - Resources for Navigating Eligibility Changes

What are the changes?

• Limits to eligibility: Several non-citizen groups are no longer eligible - refugees, Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants (SIV), Parolees, Asylees, Individuals with 'deportation withheld' status, certain Afghan nationals granted parole between 7/31/21-9/30/23, and certain Ukrainian nationals granted parole between 2/24/22-9/30/24.    
• Lawful Permanent Resident Status - with waiting period: If certain non-citizen groups gain Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status, they may be eligible for SNAP with a 5-year waiting period after receiving LPR status: Conditional entrants, battered immigrants who are victims of domestic violence, and individuals granted parole for a period of at least one year.
• Lawful Permanent Resident Status - NO waiting period: These non-citizen groups will not have a 5-year waiting period after gaining LPR status: Refugees, asylees, deportation withheld status, Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants (SIV), certain Afghan and Ukrainian Nationals granted parole, victims of severe trafficking, Amerasian immigrants, American Indians born abroad, and Hmong/Highland Laotian Tribal Members.
• Lawful Permanent Resident Exemptions. There are exemptions to the LPR waiting period - including being under 18 years old, being blind or disabled, having a US military connection, and others. 

What hasn't changed?

• SNAP eligibility continues for U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, Lawful Permanent Residents (as noted in bullets above), Cuban and Haitian entrants, and individuals in U.S. under the Compacts of Free Association (Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Palau).
• This guidance only applies to SNAP. Other programs - like Medicaid, TANF, Child Care, and Energy Assistance - are not affected by these non-citizen changes.

What are the changes?

• Work requirements now apply to individuals 18-64 years of age.
• Work requirements now apply to adults with dependents at least 14 years of age.
• Exemptions have changed. While many exemptions still exist, the federal bill removed the exemption for veterans, former foster youth, and homeless individuals who are not chronically homeless. There is a new exemption for indigenous individuals outlined in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA), and any Alaska Native village or group or regional or village corporation pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

The federal government has been shut down since October 1, 2025. Because of this, the U.S. Department of Agriculture told Virginia that it can’t send out November SNAP benefits right now. On October 23, 2025, Governor Youngkin declared a State of Emergency and provided state funds to launch the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) program, a temporary program meant to fill the gap.   

🔹 Existing SNAP clients will receive a food benefit the week of November 3rd.  

🔹 Benefits will be loaded onto your existing EBT card. 

🔹 Distribution will follow a weekly schedule based on your usual SNAP issuance date: 

• If you normally receive SNAP on the 1st, you’ll receive VENA benefits on Mondays 
• If you normally receive SNAP on the 4th, you’ll receive VENA benefits on Wednesdays 
• If you normally receive SNAP on the 7th, you’ll receive VENA benefits on Fridays 

📅 First payment starts Monday, November 3rd. 

💵 How much will you receive? 
You will receive 1/4 of your usual monthly SNAP amount each week. 

 ➡️ For example: If you typically receive $400/month, you will receive $100/week. 

This emergency assistance will continue on a week-by-week basis through November. When the shutdown ends and federal SNAP funding becomes available, VENA will end.  

📌 Need Help Finding Food? 

These community resources can assist with food: 

• Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Food Finder: https://foodfinder.brafb.org
• 211 Virginia: Call 2-1-1, text ‘CONNECT’ to 247211, or search or chat online at https://211virginia.org
• Food Resources Guide: https://shorturl.at/0dDSB

The federal government has been shut down since October 1, 2025. Because of this, the U.S. Department of Agriculture told Virginia that it can’t send out November SNAP benefits right now.

This is a nationwide issue impacting all SNAP households and cannot be appealed.

• If you currently have SNAP benefits on your EBT card, you can continue to use them to purchase food.
• November SNAP benefits will not be sent unless the federal government shares more information.
• Your local department of social services office does not have additional information at this time.

• Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Food Finder: https://foodfinder.brafb.org
• 211 Virginia: Call 2-1-1, text ‘CONNECT’ to 247211, or search or chat online at https://211virginia.org
• Food Resources Guide: https://shorturl.at/qVmNf

Starting October 1, 2025, you will need to show proof of your dependent care, housing (shelter/utilities), and medical costs when applying for or renewing SNAP benefits. This change is a result of the Governor's Executive Directive 13, issued on August 13, 2025.

This change applies to: 

• New applications 
• Renewals of SNAP benefits 
• Reports you send in between renewals 

These documents are needed to determine how much income you have left after expenses, which can impact your SNAP eligibility. 

Why this Change is Important 
Providing proof of your expenses helps us make sure you get the right amount of SNAP benefits. If you don’t share this proof, we can’t count those expenses, which could reduce the benefits you qualify for. 

If you're not sure what to provide, here are some examples: 

Dependent Care Costs:  

• A signed note or receipt from your childcare provider or an agency paying for care

Housing Costs:  

• Rent receipts or lease agreement 
• Mortgage statement 
• Utility bills (electricity, water, etc.) 
• Property tax bills 

Medical Costs (for people 60+ or with disabilities):  

• Medical or pharmacy bills 
• Health insurance premium statements 

You can also provide other documents not listed here if they show your expenses. 

How to submit your verifications:

• Drop them off at 24 Baker Street
• Email your caseworker
• Email winchesterbenefits@dss.virginia.gov
• Fax to 540-662-3054