Public Assistance and Employment Services

CONTACT INFORMATION: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Multiple Locations - Main Office: 12011 Government Center Parkway, Pennino Building
Fairfax, VA 22035
Lisa Tatum
Director

Department Resources

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Recent and Upcoming Changes to Benefits

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(Published May 2026)

Several changes to SNAP eligibility and requirements went into effect at the end of 2025 and there are changes coming soon to Medicaid. Changes to SNAP include requiring proof of common expenses in order for them to count towards an income deduction, expanding the populations who must meet the work requirement, and more limitations to SNAP eligibility for non-citizens. Medicaid will have a new Community Engagement requirement, as well as eligibility changes for non-citizen adults and six-month renewals for certain adults.

If you would like to schedule an information session about these changes, complete our Outreach Request Form. 

Learn about free or low-cost healthcare services in Fairfax County for people not eligible for Medicaid.

For complete details about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) policies visit the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS). This page will be updated as more information becomes available.

If you think you may be eligible for SNAP and/or Medicaid, you can apply online at CommonHelp or contact the Enterprise Call Center at 1-833-522-5582. Language assistance is available. Learn more about how to apply for benefits.

Changes to SNAP (Food Assistance)

SNAP participants used to be able to provide a statement about common expenses for the costs to lower their income in their SNAP benefit calculation and potentially increase their monthly SNAP benefit. Now, participants must provide documentation or proof of expenses to get their income lowered when determining their SNAP benefit. Examples of expenses include dependent (adult or child) care, shelter (housing), utilities, and medical costs.

Submitting proof of expenses is not required to qualify for and receive SNAP benefits but may increase your benefit if you are approved for SNAP.

See SNAP Forward Fairfax for examples of proof of expenses.

Age-Related Changes

  • The age range has increased. Now, adults 18-64 (previously 18-54) must work, participate in a work activity, or meet an exemption to be eligible for SNAP
  • Adults will no longer be exempt from the Work Requirement if there is a child in the SNAP household who is under 18. Now, the age of a child has been lowered to under 14.
  • Unless an exemption is met, individuals 18-64 are limited to receiving six months of SNAP in a three-year period

If an individual no longer qualifies for SNAP based on age exemptions, benefits are not automatically discontinued. The case will be assessed to see if the individual is eligible under a different exemption.  

Additional Changes

  • Some people who used to be exempt from the work requirement (homeless individuals, United States veterans, and individuals age 24 or younger who were in foster care on their 18th birthday or later) are no longer exempt.
    • Unless these individuals are exempt under another provision, they are now subject to the work requirement.
  • There is a new exemption for Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Indigenous Peoples, and Tribal Members.

See the full list of existing work requirement exemptions here or review the work requirement section of the VDSS SNAP manual.

H.R.1 legislation restricts non-citizen eligibility to legal permanent residents, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and Compacts of Free Association (COFA) citizens. Individuals who have been granted asylum or who are refugees, including individuals under 18 years of age or individuals with disabilities, are no longer eligible for SNAP.

Eligible individuals in these categories must meet all other SNAP financial and non-financial requirements. Find more information on legal permanent resident waiting periods and the eligibility changes here.

Individuals will be evaluated at initial application, and at recertification for current participants.

Changes to Medicaid (Medical Assistance)

Limits Medicaid eligibility for adult noncitizens (who are not pregnant or within the 12 months postpartum) to Legal Permanent Residents, Cuban-Haitian Entrants, and Compact of Free Association (COFA) Migrants. Members who lose eligibility for full-benefit Medicaid due to this change may still be eligible for Emergency Services Medicaid. These changes apply only to adults. The eligibility rules for children and pregnant/postpartum members are not changing. Learn more.

Currently, all Medicaid members can get up to three months of retroactive coverage. Effective January 1, 2027, retroactive Medicaid (coverage provided before the month in which a person applies) will be reduced to one month for Medicaid Expansion members and 2 months for all other Medicaid members. More information coming soon.

States will be required to review the eligibility of Medicaid Expansion members, except certain American Indians and Alaskan Natives, every 6 months. All other members will continue to have their eligibility reviewed once per year. Pregnant members still receive coverage through 12 months postpartum. Learn more.

Medicaid Expansion members (most non-pregnant adults ages 19-64) will be required to work, volunteer, or participate in a work training or education program to keep their Medicaid coverage. Some adults may be exempt from this requirement. Learn more.

Who is a Medicaid Expansion member?

Medicaid Expansion covers adults aged 19 to 64, with income at or under 138% of the federal poverty level (about $21,597/year for an individual), and not eligible for Medicare. The new requirements do not apply to other types of Medicaid, such as coverage for children, pregnant and postpartum individuals, or adults with a disability or over age 64.



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