VIRGINIA · BENEFIT FINDER

Virginia Benefit Finder

Virginia residents can apply for most state and federal assistance programs, including SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, and energy assistance, through one official portal. This page explains how that portal works and where to start based on what you need.

START HERE

CommonHelp

CommonHelp is the Commonwealth of Virginia's official online portal, operated by the Virginia Department of Social Services, for applying to and managing public assistance benefits. You can use it to:

Apply for SNAP (food assistance), Medicaid/FAMIS, TANF, and Energy Assistance

Check the status of an existing application

Report changes to your household or income

Upload documents your local department of social services has requested

CommonHelp is free to use. You never need to pay any company or website to apply for a government benefit.

Open CommonHelp →

Find the right program by need

Food assistance

SNAP, applied for through CommonHelp.

Health coverage

Medicaid and FAMIS, through Virginia DMAS or CommonHelp.

Home energy bills

See our Homeowner Rebates page and the Virginia Energy Assistance Program.

Cash assistance for families

TANF, through CommonHelp.

Tax credits

See our Tax Credits page.

Small business or nonprofit funding

See our Small Business & Nonprofit Funding page.

Local Department of Social Services offices

Virginia's local departments of social services process applications and can answer questions specific to your case. Find your local office through the Virginia DSS local office directory.

Find your local DSS office →

STARTING REGION: VIRGINIA, STATEWIDE

We are building this Benefit Finder starting with statewide Virginia programs. Locality-specific pages are planned; check our Deadline Alerts page for upcoming additions.

Always apply directly through the official CommonHelp portal or the issuing agency, never through a third-party site that asks for a fee. Government Disclaimer

Last Verified: August 28, 2026