Benefits for seniors in Virginia

Medicaid for people 65 and over

Virginia Medicaid is called Cardinal Care. Your local Department of Social Services (DSS) decides who qualifies.

• Who qualifies: You are 65 or older, or blind or disabled, live in Virginia, and have low income and few resources.
• Income: Countable income at or below 80% of the federal poverty level. That is $1,064 a month for one person, or $1,443 for two. Some income is not counted, so apply even if you are a little over.
• Resources: Up to $2,000 for one person, or $3,000 for two. Your home, one car, burial plots, furniture and personal jewelry do not count.
• What it covers: Medical, behavioral health and dental care. If you have Medicare, Medicaid also pays your Part A and Part B premiums and most Medicare cost-sharing.
• Start date: Coverage can start the first day of the month you applied, and may go back up to three months.
• Medically Needy: If your income is higher but you have large medical bills, you may qualify by "spending down." The amount you keep depends on where you live in Virginia.

Long-term care Medicaid. Medicaid can pay for nursing home care or care at home. Your countable income can be up to $2,982 a month (three times the SSI rate). If your income is higher, you may still qualify if the private cost of your care is more than your income. You first need a screening to show you need this level of care. You pay part of your income toward your care, called "patient pay." A spouse at home can keep resources between $32,532 and $162,660. Your home may not count if your equity is under $752,000.

Estate recovery: After you die, Virginia can seek repayment from your estate for Medicaid paid after age 55. It does not do this if you leave a spouse who never had Medicaid, a child under 21, or a blind or disabled child. Heirs can ask for a hardship waiver. Ask your local DSS eligibility worker.

Help paying Medicare costs

Virginia has three Medicare Savings Programs. You must have Medicare Part A.

• QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary): Pays your Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles and coinsurance. Income below 100% of the poverty level, about $1,350 a month for one person or $1,824 for a couple. QMB starts the month after your application is processed. It does not go back in time.
• SLMB (Special Low-income Medicare Beneficiary): Pays your Part B premium. Income below 120% of the poverty level, about $1,616 a month for one person or $2,184 for a couple. It can go back up to three months.
• QI (Qualified Individual): Pays your Part B premium. Income below 135% of the poverty level, about $1,816 a month for one person or $2,455 for a couple.

Virginia uses the federal limits. The resource limit is $9,950 for one person or $14,910 for a couple. You can apply any time.

If you get QMB, SLMB or QI, you are enrolled in Extra Help with Part D drug costs automatically.

Prescription drug help

Virginia's state agencies do not list a state drug payment program for seniors. Use federal Extra Help, which lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays.

Extra state payment with SSI

Virginia does not add money to the SSI check of people who live in their own home. If you live alone, your SSI payment is the federal amount, up to $994 a month.

Virginia does have the Auxiliary Grant (AG). It helps pay for a licensed assisted living facility, an approved adult foster care home, or approved supportive housing. You must be 65 or older, blind or disabled, have low income and few resources, have lived in Virginia for 90 days, and be assessed as needing this care. In 2026 the AG rate is $2,130 a month, or $2,450 in Northern Virginia. You keep $87 a month for personal needs. Apply at your local DSS.

Food help

Virginia's food program is SNAP, run by the Department of Social Services.

• Income: Most households qualify with gross income below 200% of the poverty level. Seniors with high housing or medical costs may still qualify based on net income.
• Medical costs: If you are 60 or older or disabled and have more than $35 a month in medical costs, you can take a standard medical deduction of $200. Medical costs include Medicare and health insurance premiums, doctor and dental bills, rides to medical care and home health aide costs.
• Easier rules for seniors (ESAP): If everyone in your household is 60 or older and has no earnings, you may be certified for up to three years at a time, with less paperwork.
• VaCAP has ended: VaCAP ended June 1, 2026. People who had it are moved to ESAP at their next renewal.

Your local Area Agency on Aging can tell you about group meals and home-delivered meals.

Help staying at home

CCC Plus Waiver. This Medicaid waiver helps people who need nursing home level of care get services at home or in the community. It serves all ages and has no waiting list.

• Services: Supports for living on your own, nursing, respite care for caregivers, assistive technology and home changes for safety.
• Who qualifies: You must qualify for long-term care Medicaid and pass a pre-admission screening that shows you need this level of care. A doctor must also approve.
• Income you keep: If you are on the waiver or in PACE, you can keep a personal maintenance allowance of $1,641 a month for living costs.
• How to start: Apply for Medicaid at your local DSS and ask for a long-term care screening.

PACE. PACE is a Medicare and Medicaid program that provides all your care through one team. It is offered only in some parts of Virginia. Ask your local DSS or Area Agency on Aging if PACE serves your area.

Property tax and housing help

Virginia law lets each city and county offer real estate tax relief for the elderly and disabled. If you are 65 or older (or permanently and totally disabled, where your locality allows it) and the home you own is your only home, your locality may exempt or defer part of your property tax. Each locality decides whether to offer relief and sets its own rules, limits and deadlines. Contact your local commissioner of the revenue or treasurer to ask what is offered and how to apply.

Help with energy bills

Virginia's LIHEAP program is the Energy Assistance Program, run by DSS. Gross monthly income must be at or below 150% of the poverty level.

• Fuel Assistance: Helps pay heating costs. Apply from the second Tuesday in October to the second Friday in November.
• Crisis Assistance: For heating emergencies such as no heat, a cut-off notice or unsafe equipment. Apply November 1 to March 15 for equipment or deposits, or January to March 15 for fuel or utility bills.
• Cooling Assistance: Helps with cooling bills and equipment from June 15 to August 17. A household member must be 60 or older, disabled or a child under 6.
• How to apply: Online at commonhelp.virginia.gov, by phone at 855-635-4370, or at your local DSS.
• Weatherization: The Department of Housing and Community Development runs free weatherization to make homes more energy efficient.

Free help and counseling

• VICAP (Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program): Virginia's free Medicare counseling program, run by the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Counselors help you compare plans, apply for Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Programs, and fix billing problems. Call 1-800-552-3402.
• Area Agencies on Aging: Local agencies across Virginia offer meals, caregiver help, in-home services and benefits help.
• Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS): Virginia's state aging agency. Visit vda.virginia.gov.

How to apply

Check what you may qualify for