RICHMOND, Va. -- Participants in Virginia's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) received emergency benefits Wednesday to aid in Coronavirus relief.
Participants will receive the emergency benefits during the months of March and April, as part of a provision set forth by the Families First Coronavirus Responses Act of 2020.
Under this provision, the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) will issue the emergency benefits to any household not already receiving the maximum benefits.
“We must make sure that no Virginian goes hungry during this time of crisis,” said VDSS Commissioner S. Duke Storen. “Increasing the resources available to low-income Virginians to purchase food is vital to fighting hunger.”
The emergency benefits for March will be released Wednesday evening and automatically load to recipients’ SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. SNAP households will receive their regular April benefits on their usual issuance date, with emergency benefits added on April 16.
Currently, over 680,000 individuals receive SNAP benefits within the Commonwealth. On average, the monthly SNAP benefit per participant is $119.
Individuals seeking to apply for SNAP benefits may apply online through CommonHelp at or by phone to (855) 635-4370.
