Grants for Seniors in Richmond (2026 Guide)

Benefits and Health Care

Many Richmond seniors need more than one program. A person can have Medicare, qualify for help with Medicare costs, receive SNAP, and still need help with rent or energy bills. One benefit does not automatically block every other program.

SNAP and the VaCAP change

The Virginia SNAP page says VaCAP ended effective June 1, 2026. Former VaCAP households move to the Elderly Simplified Application Project, or ESAP, at their next recertification. Certification can still last up to 36 months, but the benefit amount is now based on income and allowable expenses instead of a fixed VaCAP amount.

If you are 60 or older, keep proof of eligible medical expenses because those costs can matter when SNAP is calculated. Our Virginia SNAP guide explains senior-specific deductions and preparation steps.

Medicaid and long-term care

Virginia Medicaid can cover long-term services and supports when a person meets financial and care-need rules. The official Medicaid LTSS page says screening is required to determine the needed level of care. Income and resources are also reviewed. Some members may have a patient-pay amount.

If you need help with bathing, dressing, meals, supervision, or safe care at home, ask for a long-term care screening rather than assuming Medicare will cover ongoing daily care.

Medicare counseling

The Span Center provides free Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program counseling. Its VICAP counseling page covers Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Part D, Medigap, appeals, Extra Help, and Medicare Savings Programs. Counselors do not sell insurance. Our Medicare Savings guide can help you prepare before the call.

Food and Meal Help

Use SNAP for ongoing grocery help. Use home-delivered meals, Friendship Cafés, food pantries, and 2-1-1 when shopping or cooking is difficult or food is needed sooner.

The Span Center partners with Feed More for home-delivered meals. Its home-delivered meals page says the service is available to eligible homebound adults age 60 and older in Richmond and surrounding counties. The Span Center says there is no income requirement, although income may be reviewed as part of service eligibility.

If you need steady grocery help too, apply for SNAP rather than treating meal delivery as a full replacement for groceries.

Housing and Rent Help

Affordable housing can take time. Apply to more than one property or program, keep your phone and mailing address current, and save proof of every application.

Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, or RRHA, runs the city’s voucher programs. The RRHA voucher page says a participating Housing Choice Voucher household generally pays about 30% of adjusted monthly income toward rent and utilities, but the actual share depends on household and unit details.

RRHA has announced a short, property-specific opening for two Project-Based Voucher lists. The September waitlist notice says Cool Lane Commons in Richmond and Colbrook Apartments in Chester are scheduled to accept applications from September 14 at 8:30 a.m. through September 18 at 5 p.m. This does not mean the general tenant-based voucher waitlist is open.

For other subsidized properties, use the HUD resource locator and call each property directly. Ask about vacancies, age rules, income rules, pets, accessibility, and how the property manages its own list. Our Virginia housing guide gives wider state options.

Property Tax Relief for Richmond Homeowners

Richmond’s Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities, or OAPD, program offers an exemption or a tax freeze for qualifying homeowners. The Richmond OAPD page says applicants must be at least 65, or 100% permanently and totally disabled, and must own and occupy the home as their sole dwelling.

For the exemption, the current maximum household income is $70,000 and maximum owner financial worth is $450,000, excluding the primary residence. For the freeze, the limits are $125,000 for household income and $750,000 for owner financial worth, also excluding the primary residence. The City says complete applications should be submitted by September 30 to help ensure current-year relief is reflected on the next bill. The final filing deadline is December 31.

Do not choose between the exemption and freeze based only on the higher income limit. The City says applicants can use only one option at a time. If you need a broader explanation of Virginia programs, see our Virginia tax relief guide.

Dates and Status to Watch

Home Repairs and Utilities

If the home is unsafe, focus on health and safety first: no heat, unsafe wiring, plumbing failure, a leaking roof, dangerous steps, or a needed accessibility change.

Virginia’s Essential Home and Accessibility Repair Program can fund urgent health, safety, and accessibility work through local administrators. The EHARP page explains the state program. Funding and local intake can vary, so our Virginia home repair guide can help you compare other routes.

USDA Section 504 is mainly for eligible very-low-income homeowners in rural areas. The current USDA Section 504 page lists loans up to $40,000 and grants up to $10,000. Grants are for eligible homeowners age 62 or older who need to remove health and safety hazards, and the property must meet USDA location rules. Do not assume a Richmond city address qualifies.

Virginia Energy Assistance covers fuel, crisis, cooling, and weatherization. The energy assistance page says Fuel, Crisis, and Cooling Assistance require a heating or cooling expense and gross monthly income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. The 2026 Cooling Assistance window ended August 17. Fuel Assistance runs in the fall, and Crisis Assistance serves qualifying heating emergencies during the winter period.

Transportation and Medical Rides

GRTC CARE is ADA paratransit for people whose disability prevents them from independently using fixed-route service for some or all trips. The GRTC CARE page says standard CARE operates within GRTC’s fixed-route area and up to three-fourths of a mile from bus routes. CARE rides normally must be booked at least one day ahead.

Virginia Medicaid also covers transportation when an eligible member has no other way to reach a Medicaid-covered service. The Medicaid transportation page says managed-care members should use the transportation contact for their health plan, while fee-for-service transportation uses the state contractor.

If disability changes how you travel or receive services, our Virginia disability guide covers more statewide routes.

Caregivers, Veterans, and Disability Help

The Span Center can screen families for caregiver support, care coordination, respite, home-delivered meals, transportation, and other community services. Family caregiver payment is not automatic. Our caregiver pay guide explains the Virginia paths and why an assessment may be required.

Veterans and surviving spouses can also get free claims help from the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. The current Richmond DVS office is at the Richmond VA Medical Center, 1201 Broad Rock Boulevard, and lists 804-675-6546 as its office phone. Appointments are recommended.

VA Aid and Attendance may add monthly money to a qualifying VA pension for a veteran or survivor who meets the pension rules and needs help with daily activities or is housebound. The official Aid and Attendance page explains the conditions. Our veteran benefits guide gives more Virginia-specific help.

Dental Care

Original Medicare usually does not cover routine dental care. Start by checking charity programs, dental schools, Medicaid coverage if you have it, and local clinics.

Dental Lifeline Network’s Virginia DDS page says its Donated Dental Services program may help people who cannot afford care and are over 65, permanently disabled, or need medically necessary dental treatment. The page also lists areas where applications are temporarily closed, so check it before applying.

VCU School of Dentistry provides lower-cost patient care in downtown Richmond. Its VCU dental clinics page lists general, student, faculty, specialty, and special-care services. Call 804-828-9190 for patient information. Our Virginia dental guide gives more statewide options.

Legal Help and Scam Protection

Central Virginia Legal Aid Society helps eligible low-income people with civil issues such as housing, public benefits, health coverage, debt, and some elder-law matters. Its CVLAS services page lists housing and public-benefit work. The Richmond office is 804-648-1012.

Be cautious when someone says you must pay an application fee to receive a government benefit, housing voucher, Medicare card, or utility benefit. Real public agencies may charge ordinary service fees in some programs, but they do not sell access to a benefit through a surprise “grant processing” fee.

If the problem is urgent and crosses several areas, our Virginia emergency guide can help you build a fast call list.

How to Start Without Wasting Time

Missing papers cause avoidable delays. Gather the documents that match the program before you call or apply.

• Photo ID or other identity proof.
• Social Security number or benefit case number when required.
• Proof of Richmond or Virginia residence.
• Social Security, pension, wage, or other income records.
• Bank and asset records when the program has resource rules.
• Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance cards.
• Lease, mortgage, property-tax bill, or utility bill.
• Eviction papers, shutoff notice, repair estimate, or medical note when the problem is urgent.
• Receipts for recurring medical costs when they may affect SNAP or another means-tested program.

Keep copies of everything you submit. Save confirmation numbers and screenshots. If you mail papers, note the date and keep a copy of the full packet.

A practical order

1. Call The Span Center if you need help sorting several needs.
2. Use CommonHelp for SNAP, Medicaid, and energy assistance.
3. Call 2-1-1 for urgent local openings while longer applications are pending.
4. Check RRHA and individual subsidized properties for housing.
5. Use VICAP before making a Medicare plan change you do not understand.

Richmond Area Resource Table