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Last updated: April 27, 2026
Bottom line: If you are an older adult in Virginia and need help right now, start with the urgent numbers below. For food, Medicaid, energy help, and many state benefits, use CommonHelp. For local help with meals, rides, caregiver support, and Medicare counseling, contact your local Area Agency on Aging.
Contents
- Urgent help first
- Quick help table
- How to start
- Food help
- Utility help
- Housing and repairs
- Health care
- Local help
- Phone scripts
- FAQs
Urgent help first
Use these steps before filling out long forms. A real emergency needs a fast call, not a long search.
- Immediate danger: Call 911 for fire, crime, medical danger, or if you are not safe at home.
- Mental health crisis: Call or text 988. The 988 Lifeline can help during a suicide, panic, grief, or caregiver stress crisis.
- Poison or overdose: Call 1-800-222-1222. The Poison Help line can help with medicine mistakes and poisoning.
- Abuse or neglect: Call 1-888-832-3858. Virginia Adult Protective Services accepts reports for adults age 60 and older, and reports may be anonymous through APS reporting.
- Food, shelter, rent, or utility help: Dial 2-1-1. The 211 Virginia service connects people to local housing, food, health care, and other community resources.
Quick help table
| Need | Best first step | What to ask for | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food this week | Dial 2-1-1, then apply for SNAP | Food pantry, home meals, SNAP | Pantry hours change often. Call before going. |
| Electric shutoff | Call your utility, then DSS | Payment plan, Energy Assistance, PIPP | Some aid is seasonal. Ask about a hold on shutoff. |
| Rent or eviction | Call legal aid fast | Eviction help, court papers, rent aid | Deadlines can be short. Do not skip court. |
| Medicare or Medicaid | Call VICAP or CoverVA | Medicare review, Extra Help, Medicaid | Have drug lists and income proof ready. |
| Home repair | Check DHCD or USDA | Safety repair, ramp, weatherization | Programs may inspect the home first. |
How to start without wasting time
Virginia has many programs, but the fastest path is usually simple. First, decide what can hurt you today: no food, no power, no safe housing, no medicine, or unsafe care. Call for that first. Then apply for ongoing help so the same problem does not come back next month.
For benefits like SNAP, Medicaid, cash help, and energy help, use CommonHelp or call 1-855-635-4370. CommonHelp is the main state portal for many public benefits. If online forms are hard, ask a family member, library worker, senior center, or local aging office to sit with you while you apply.
For a wider benefits map, the Virginia benefits guide gives a broader list of senior programs. The benefit portals guide explains how CommonHelp, Cover Virginia, and EBT tools fit together.
Food help for Virginia seniors
SNAP food benefits
SNAP gives monthly food money on an Electronic Benefit Transfer card. Virginia says SNAP can be used like cash to buy eligible food, and older adults may qualify even if they have Social Security income. For the Oct. 1, 2025 to Sept. 30, 2026 benefit year, the state lists the maximum SNAP allotment for a one-person household as $298 and for a two-person household as $546. Check the official Virginia SNAP page before you act, because the exact amount depends on income, deductions, and household size.
Who may qualify: Low-income households. If someone in the household is age 60 or older or has a disability, medical costs and shelter costs may matter. Keep proof of out-of-pocket medical bills, rent, mortgage, utilities, and insurance.
Where to apply: Apply through CommonHelp, call 1-833-522-5582, or visit your local Department of Social Services.
Reality check: SNAP is not always enough for the full month. Use SNAP with food pantries, senior meals, and farmers market programs when available.
Senior meals and food banks
Your Area Agency on Aging may offer home-delivered meals, group meals, nutrition counseling, or a waitlist for meal service. Food banks can help while a SNAP case is pending. The Virginia food banks network lists regional food banks and local pantry partners across the state.
Ask for delivery if you cannot drive, cannot stand in line, or have a health issue. If one pantry says no, ask for the next closest pantry and the next open day.
Utility and energy help
Virginia Energy Assistance Program
The Virginia Energy Assistance Program helps low-income households with heating, cooling, and energy emergencies. The state says households must have a heating or cooling expense and gross monthly income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level for Fuel, Crisis, or Cooling Assistance. The official Energy Assistance page lists these windows: Fuel Assistance from the second Tuesday in October to the second Friday in November; Crisis Assistance from Nov. 1 to March 15 for equipment or deposits and January to March 15 for fuel or utility bills; and Cooling Assistance from June 15 to Aug. 15.
What it helps with: Heating bills, heating fuel, heating emergencies, cooling bills, deposits, and some cooling equipment needs.
Who may qualify: Low-income households. Cooling help also requires a vulnerable person in the home, such as someone age 60 or older, a person with a disability, or a child under 6.
Where to apply: Apply through CommonHelp, by phone, or through your local Department of Social Services.
Reality check: Do not wait for the shutoff date. Call your utility first and ask for a payment plan, hardship review, and medical needs note if you use oxygen, dialysis supplies, or other powered medical equipment.
PIPP for Dominion and Appalachian Power customers
The Percentage of Income Payment Program can lower monthly electric bills for eligible Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power customers. Virginia says PIPP help sets bills at 10% of income for homes heated by electricity and 6% of income for homes with another heat source. It can also forgive old balances over time when payments are made in full and on time.
Who may qualify: Dominion or Appalachian Power customers with an active electric account and income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
Reality check: PIPP is not a free bill. Missing payments, partial payments, or missing yearly income checks can remove you from the program.
Weatherization
Weatherization is not a bill-payment program. It fixes energy problems that make the home costly or unsafe. The state says Weatherization can include air sealing, insulation, ventilation fans, duct repair, heating or cooling system repair, and safety checks.
Who may qualify: Low-income renters and homeowners. Renters usually need landlord approval for work on the home.
Reality check: A home may be delayed if there is a major roof leak, unsafe wiring, or another problem that must be fixed first.
For more bill ideas, see the GrantsForSeniors.org bill help guide and energy grant guide before you call the utility.
Housing, eviction, and home repair
If you may lose your housing
If you have an eviction notice, court paper, or lockout threat, get legal help right away. The statewide Eviction Legal Helpline is 1-833-663-8428. Virginia legal aid says eligible renters can use the eviction helpline to understand options and next steps.
Who may qualify: Low-income renters, older adults, people with disabilities, and others who meet legal aid rules.
Where to start: Call the helpline, call 2-1-1 for rent resources, and keep every notice from your landlord or the court.
Reality check: Do not move out just because you get a notice unless you understand your rights. Notices and court papers are not the same thing.
Essential home and accessibility repairs
Virginia’s Essential Home and Accessibility Repair Program removes health and safety hazards and helps with access needs. The state says EHARP repairs may include plumbing, structural, electrical, roofing, wheelchair ramps, and other access changes. Assistance is first-come, first-served and the maximum help is $4,000.
Who may qualify: Low-income homeowners and tenants with written approval from the owner. Gross household income cannot exceed 80% of area median income, adjusted by family size.
Where to apply: Contact the local EHARP provider. Some large cities and counties are not in EHARP because they run their own local housing repair programs.
Reality check: EHARP does not cover every area the same way. If your city or county is excluded, call your local housing or community development office.
Rural home repair
Rural Virginia homeowners can also check USDA Section 504. The federal USDA repair program offers loans to very-low-income homeowners and grants to elderly very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards.
For a bigger housing list, use the housing guide. Homeowners should also check the home repair grants guide and the property tax help page.
Health care, Medicare, and long-term care
Medicaid for aged, blind, or disabled adults
Virginia Medicaid may help older adults with doctor visits, hospital care, Medicare costs, and long-term care if they meet rules. Cover Virginia says people age 65 or older, blind, or disabled may qualify through ABD Medicaid. For 2026, the ABD Medicaid page lists monthly income guidelines of $1,084 for a household of one and $1,463 for a household of two, with resource limits for this category.
Where to apply: Use CommonHelp or call Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-8282.
Reality check: Medicaid rules change by program. If income is too high for one Medicaid path, ask about spenddown, Medicare Savings Programs, or long-term care screening.
Long-term services and supports
If you need help bathing, dressing, eating, moving, or staying safe at home, ask about a Medicaid long-term care screening. Cover Virginia says long-term supports may cover care in a nursing facility or in the community when a person needs nursing supervision and help with daily living. The CCC Plus Waiver serves all ages and does not have a waiting list, but you still need screening and Medicaid eligibility.
Reality check: Home care is not instant. A screening, paperwork, plan choice, and provider availability can all take time.
Free Medicare counseling
The Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program, called VICAP, offers free and unbiased Medicare help through local aging offices. VICAP can review Medicare Advantage, Part D drug plans, Medigap, appeals, denials, fraud concerns, and low-income programs. Use VICAP counseling before changing a plan or buying extra coverage.
If Medicare costs are hard to pay, the Medicare Savings Programs guide can help you know what to ask about.
Other bill help and safety supports
Phone and internet: The Affordable Connectivity Program ended in 2024, but Lifeline still offers a monthly phone or internet discount for eligible households. Check FCC Lifeline before signing up through a company.
Disaster damage: After a declared disaster, FEMA may help with uninsured or under-insured serious needs. Start with FEMA assistance after checking that your county is included in the disaster declaration.
Veterans: Senior veterans and surviving spouses may have extra paths through VA benefits, Aid and Attendance, and state veterans offices. The GrantsForSeniors.org veterans guide gives a Virginia-focused starting point.
Caregivers: If a family member helps you bathe, dress, get meals, or get to care, ask whether Medicaid, veteran benefits, or local aging services can support that care. The caregiver pay guide explains common paths.
Local resources by region
Your local Area Agency on Aging is often the best non-emergency first call. Virginia DARS says local aging offices are the front door for meals, in-home services, transportation, Medicare counseling, caregiver support, and more. Use the aging office finder and search by city or county.
| Region | Good local starting point | Ask about |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Virginia | County aging office | Meals, Medicare help, caregiver support, transportation |
| Richmond and Central Virginia | Local AAA and 2-1-1 | Food, rent help, in-home support, benefits screening |
| Hampton Roads | AAA and local utilities | Meals, water help, cooling help, rides |
| Southwest Virginia | AAA, DSS, USDA | Rural repairs, transportation, heating aid, food |
| Shenandoah Valley | AAA and local DSS | Home meals, benefits, Medicare help, caregiver respite |
For nearby senior centers, use the senior centers list. For bus, rural transit, or paratransit options, the state transportation agency offers a public transit starting point through Virginia transit and local route tools.
Phone scripts you can use
Calling can be stressful. These short scripts help you ask for the right thing.
| Situation | What to say |
|---|---|
| Utility shutoff | “I am 60 or older and I got a shutoff notice. I need a payment plan and any hardship program. Can you place a hold while I apply for energy help?” |
| Food today | “I am a senior in Virginia and I need food this week. Can you tell me the closest pantry that is open today, and whether delivery is possible?” |
| Eviction notice | “I received a notice from my landlord or the court. I am an older adult and need legal help. What deadline do I have, and what should I bring?” |
| Medicare costs | “I need help checking my Medicare costs, drug plan, and whether I qualify for Extra Help or a Medicare Savings Program.” |
Documents to gather
You do not need every document to make the first call. But these papers often speed up food, energy, Medicaid, and housing cases.
- Photo ID, if you have it
- Social Security number or card
- Proof of Virginia address
- Social Security, pension, or pay letters
- Bank statements, if requested
- Rent, mortgage, tax, or insurance bills
- Utility shutoff notice or bill
- Medical bills and prescription costs
- Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance cards
- Landlord notice or court paper
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting too long: Apply before the shutoff, court date, or fuel shortage.
- Using only one program: A food pantry may help today, but SNAP can help next month.
- Throwing away notices: Denial letters and court papers show deadlines and appeal rights.
- Paying for help: Government benefit applications should not require a fee.
- Ignoring local offices: Many senior programs are local, not statewide.
If you are denied, delayed, or overwhelmed
Ask for the reason in writing. If you are denied SNAP, Medicaid, energy help, or housing help, ask how to appeal and what deadline applies. If you missed a letter, say so. If a document is missing, ask whether you can submit it late or upload it online.
If you cannot handle the forms alone, call your aging office, legal aid, or a trusted family member. Keep notes with the date, phone number, name of the person you spoke with, and what they told you. A simple notebook can prevent repeat calls and lost details.
Spanish summary
Resumen en español: Si usted es una persona mayor en Virginia y necesita ayuda urgente, llame al 911 si hay peligro inmediato. Llame o mande texto al 988 si hay una crisis de salud mental. Para comida, renta, refugio, servicios publicos o ayuda local, marque 2-1-1. Para SNAP, Medicaid y ayuda de energia, use CommonHelp o llame al 1-855-635-4370. Para abuso, negligencia o explotacion de una persona mayor, llame a Adult Protective Services al 1-888-832-3858. Si tiene aviso de desalojo, llame a ayuda legal lo antes posible.
About this guide
We check this guide against official government, local agency, and trusted nonprofit sources. GrantsForSeniors.org is independent and is not a government agency.
Program rules, funding, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply.
See something wrong or outdated? Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections.
Last updated: April 27, 2026 May 1, 2026
Next review: August 1, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Where should a Virginia senior start for emergency help?
Call 911 if there is danger. If the need is food, shelter, rent, utility help, or local support, dial 2-1-1. If the need is state benefits like SNAP, Medicaid, or Energy Assistance, start with CommonHelp.
How do I apply for cooling help in Virginia?
Cooling Assistance usually runs from June 15 to Aug. 15. Apply through CommonHelp, by phone, or through your local Department of Social Services. The home must have a cooling cost and a vulnerable person, such as someone age 60 or older.
Can Virginia seniors get help with electric bills?
Yes. Check Energy Assistance, PIPP if you are a Dominion or Appalachian Power customer, weatherization for home energy fixes, and local charity help through 2-1-1. Call your utility before the shutoff date.
Who helps with Medicare questions in Virginia?
VICAP gives free Medicare counseling through local Area Agencies on Aging. They can help with plan choices, Part D drug plans, Medigap, appeals, fraud concerns, and low-income programs.
Is there help for home repairs?
Yes. EHARP can help with essential health, safety, and access repairs for eligible homes. Rural homeowners can also check USDA Section 504 repair loans and grants.
What should I do if I get an eviction notice?
Call the Eviction Legal Helpline at 1-833-663-8428 right away. Keep the notice and any court papers. Do not miss the court date, and ask 2-1-1 about local rent help.
Choose your state to see senior assistance programs, benefits, and local help options.
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