This page discusses selected items that affect Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility. Please view the SNAP Manual for additional information.
The following is general information about SNAP intended for potential applicants and participants, or the general public (such as students or media). Please direct questions to the local department of social services in the city/county where you reside.
Designating a Representative to Act on Your Behalf
A spouse, adult member of your household, trusted friend, relative or neighbor can be designated representative. This person may:
- Apply for SNAP for your household
- Receive a Virginia EBT Card that can access your SNAP account
- Use your SNAP benefits for you at the grocery store
- Receive copies of your SNAP notices and correspondence
If you want to designate an authorized representative you may do so on your application or by writing a note for that person to take to the local social services department. The note will need to include:
- The name, address and phone number of the person you designating
- The duties you want that person to perform on your behalf
- Your signature and the date
Work Requirements
If you are age 18 to 52 and able to work, you may be subject to a work requirement in order to receive SNAP. This requirement would limit the number of months for which you could receive SNAP to three months in a 36 month period. After you receive SNAP for three months, you may be able to receive three additional months if you complete certain work related requirements. You may be exempt from this work requirement if you are currently working or participating in an approved work program; responsible for the care of a child; pregnant; medically certified as unable to work; meet one of several work registration exemption reasons; or live in an exempt locality.
Selecting Head of Household
You may select any adult member as the head of your household. If you select either an adult parent of a child any age or an adult who acts as a guardian for a child under age 18, all the adults in the household must agree with your choice for head of household or the agency will choose the head of your household.
If you select any other adult or you do not select a head of household, and someone in your household does not cooperate with an employment and training program or reduces the hours worked or quits a job without good cause, the agency will choose the head of household to be the person who earned the most money from working during the previous two months.
If the person selected as head of household does not cooperate as required with an employment program or reduces the hours worked or quits a job without good cause, your household may not be able to get SNAP for up to six months.
You may select the head of your household every time you apply for SNAP. If there is a parent-child combination, you may change your selection whenever someone joins or leaves your household. Tell your Benefit Programs Specialist if you want to change your selection.
Penalties for SNAP Program Violations
You must not give false information or hide information to get SNAP. You must not trade or sell the EBT card or your PIN. You must not allow a retailer to debit your EBT account in exchange for cash. You must not change EBT cards to get SNAP you are not eligible to receive. You must not use SNAP to buy non-food items, such as alcohol, tobacco or paper products. You must not use someone else's SNAP or EBT card for your household.
Anyone intentionally breaking any of these rules could be barred from receiving SNAP for 12 months (1st violation); barred for 24 months (2nd violation); barred permanently (3rd violation); subject to $250,000 fine, imprisoned up to 20 years, or both; suspended for an additional 18 months and further prosecuted under other federal and state laws.
Anyone who intentionally gives false information or hides information about identity or residence to get SNAP in more than one household at the same time could be barred for ten years.
Anyone convicted of trading SNAP for a controlled substance could be barred from receiving SNAP for 24 months (1st violation) and barred permanently (2nd violation).
Anyone convicted of trading SNAP for firearms, ammunition, or explosive could be barred permanently (1st violation).
Anyone convicted for trading or selling SNAP of $500 or more could be barred permanently.
For additional information on program rules, federal regulations, income limits and retailer information visit the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) website.
