Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) serves as the first line of defense against hunger for Virginia residents.

Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is a system for issuing SNAP benefits using debit card technology. After benefits are added to eligible household accounts, cardholders spend them by swiping their EBT card at the point of sale (POS) and then entering their PIN number. When retailers who do not have POS terminals, they must resort to paper vouchers.

Authorized EBT retailers will display either the Quest logo or a picture of the Virginia EBT Card.

Advantages of EBT:

    Food can be bought using a simple, conventional plastic debit card
    If the EBT card is lost or stolen, the cardholder can report it and that card is immediately deactivated
    EBT transactions are faster for the retailers to process and receive their funds
    There are better audit trails to detect fraud and misuse of benefits

It enables low-income families to buy nutritious food with coupons and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards.

The program is the cornerstone of the food assistance programs, and provides crucial support to needy households and to those making the transition from welfare to work.  

A SNAP account is established for eligible households and automatic deposits are made into the account each month. To access the account, they will also receive an EBT Card, which will debit the account each time eligible food items are purchased. A secret Personal Identification Number (PIN) is required to use the card.

Please note the following:

   A manual application cannot be processed and is not considered complete until it is signed and received by your local department.
   An interview will be required unless you meet the conditions for a waiver . Proof of identity (driver's license or picture I.D.), residence, income, resource and shelter expenses will be required.
   Applications for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or General Relief, are considered an application for SNAP, unless you request otherwise.
   If all members have applied for or get Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you may also apply for SNAP at the local Social Security office.