Virginia EBT Card Balance
CheckEBTCardBalance is an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the USDA, any state government, or any EBT card issuer. Always confirm details directly with the official source before relying on them.
Program Name
SNAP
Customer Service
1-866-281-2448
24/7, toll-free
Income Limit
200% of FPL
Gross monthly income
Virginia's food assistance program operates under the standard SNAP name, without a separate state brand, and is administered by the Virginia Department of Social Services. Approved households receive their monthly SNAP allotment on an EBT card, which works like a prepaid debit card at authorized grocery stores and retailers statewide.
Virginia is rolling out new chip-enabled SNAP EBT cards statewide from September through December 2026, replacing the older magnetic-stripe-only cards specifically to reduce fraud; existing balances carry over automatically, and cardholders will tap or insert their new card instead of swiping.
How to Check Your Virginia EBT Balance
Check online
Log in with your card number to view your balance and transaction history.
https://www.connectebt.comUse the mobile app
ConnectEBT is the official app for Virginia EBT cardholders, available on iOS and Android.
Check your last receipt
Your remaining balance is printed at the bottom of the receipt from your most recent EBT purchase.
Card declined, locked, or PIN not working? See our EBT card troubleshooting guide.
Where You Can Use Your Virginia EBT Card
Your EBT card works like a debit card at any USDA-authorized retailer nationwide — major grocery chains and big-box stores such as Walmart, Target, Kroger, Costco, Sam's Club, Aldi, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and most local and regional supermarkets, plus many convenience stores and farmers markets. A growing number of retailers, including Walmart.com, Amazon, DoorDash, and Uber Eats, also accept SNAP EBT for online grocery orders in many areas, though delivery and service fees usually can't be paid with benefits.
SNAP benefits cover food and food-producing seeds or plants, but not hot prepared foods, alcohol, tobacco, or non-food items — some states also restrict specific items like soda or candy, noted below if it applies to Virginia.
Virginia operates a SNAP Restaurant Meals Program. Eligible elderly, disabled, or homeless SNAP participants (and their spouses) can use their EBT card to buy prepared meals at participating restaurants statewide.
Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Administration — Restaurant Meals Program
Virginia SNAP Income Limits
The federal government sets the standard SNAP gross income limit at 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. Virginia has adopted Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE), which extends that limit to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level for most applicant households.
This higher threshold allows more working families and individuals with moderate incomes to qualify for SNAP in Virginia, and it generally removes the separate asset or savings limit that would otherwise apply under the federal baseline rules.
| Household Size | Max Monthly Gross Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2,660 |
| 2 | $3,607 |
| 3 | $4,553 |
| 4 | $5,500 |
| 5 | $6,447 |
| 6 | $7,393 |
| 7 | $8,340 |
| 8 | $9,287 |
For each additional household member beyond 8, add about $947/month. Based on 2026 federal poverty guidelines at 200% — figures update annually and individual eligibility depends on more than gross income, so confirm your exact amount with Virginia Department of Social Services.
Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Administration — SNAP Eligibility
EBT Fraud & Card Skimming Protection
Protect your benefits from theft
Card skimming — hidden devices planted on card readers or ATMs to steal EBT card numbers and PINs — has affected SNAP households across Virginia, with the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) fielding a steady stream of theft reports. Congress's temporary federal reimbursement program covered theft between October 2022 and December 20, 2024, and that authority has since expired without a state-funded replacement — claims for benefits stolen after that date are currently being denied.
If your Virginia EBT card is compromised, report it right away through the ConnectEBT app or your local VDSS office, change your PIN immediately, and use the app's card lock feature to block unauthorized use between purchases. Virginia doesn't currently guarantee reimbursement for benefits stolen today, so promptly reporting theft and locking your card are your best protection.
Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Administration — SNAP Fraud Prevention
Using Your Virginia EBT Card Out of State or Online
Traveling or shopping online?
Virginia hasn't announced an automatic block on out-of-state or online EBT transactions the way some other states have. Your Virginia EBT card should generally work at SNAP-authorized retailers nationwide and for eligible online orders, though you can use the ConnectEBT app's card lock feature to manually lock your card any time you're not shopping.
Compare Other States
EBT rules, income limits, and customer service numbers are set state by state. These share Virginia's census region — useful if you're moving, or comparing how another state runs the program.
Helpful Guides
EBT Stores
Find SNAP-authorized stores near you by ZIP code or current location.
Learn more →Where to Use EBT
See whether a specific retailer, from Costco to McDonald's, accepts EBT.
Learn more →What Can You Buy
What your EBT card does and doesn't cover, including hot food and online orders.
Learn more →Lost/Damaged Card
How to report a lost or stolen card, or replace a damaged or expired one.
Learn more →Card Not Working?
Troubleshoot a declined, locked, or frozen EBT card, a forgotten PIN, or a deposit that hasn't shown up yet.
Learn more →Work Requirements
What changed for SNAP work requirements and recertification under the 2025 law.
Learn more →Farmers Markets
How EBT tokens work at farmers markets, plus programs that double what you spend.
Learn more →