Virginia Benefits Portals for Seniors: How to Use CommonHelp and Cover Virginia

Last updated: April 7, 2026

Bottom Line: In Virginia, most older adults should start with CommonHelp if they want food help, Medicaid, energy assistance, or more than one benefit at the same time. But Virginia does not use one portal for everything: Cover Virginia handles many Medicaid and Cardinal Care questions, while ConnectEBT is only for Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card balance, PIN, and card security.

Emergency help now

• No heat, shutoff notice, or a dangerous cooling problem: apply for Virginia Energy Assistance right away online, call the Virginia Department of Social Services at 1-855-635-4370, or contact your local Department of Social Services the same day.
• Medicaid or Cardinal Care is blocking care, medicine, or a medical appointment: call Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-8282 or 1-833-522-5582, then call your local social services office for case-specific help.
• EBT card theft or a scam text about your SNAP benefits: use the official ConnectEBT lock feature, change your PIN, and call the Virginia EBT Helpdesk at 1-866-281-2448.

The official benefits portal seniors should use in Virginia

Start with CommonHelp if you want more than health coverage. That is the main Virginia online front door for people applying for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Cardinal Care Medicaid, energy help, and some other public benefits.

Know the split: Virginia seniors often hear three names at once: CommonHelp, Cover Virginia, and ConnectEBT. They overlap, but they do different jobs. CommonHelp is the application and self-service portal. Cover Virginia is the Medicaid and Cardinal Care help system run through the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS). ConnectEBT is the official EBT card site and app after SNAP is approved.

Virginia portal or office	Use it for	Do not use it for	Best contact
CommonHelp	Applying for SNAP, Medicaid, some Medicare Savings Programs, Energy Assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and checking many case details	EBT card balance or PIN changes; most Energy Assistance follow-up after you apply	CommonHelp or 1-855-635-4370
Cover Virginia	Medicaid and Cardinal Care phone applications, renewals, notices, Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) Medicaid questions, and application help	SNAP applications, EBT card issues, Fuel Assistance case checks	Cover Virginia contact page, 1-855-242-8282, or 1-833-522-5582
ConnectEBT	SNAP EBT balance, PIN, lock or unlock feature, and fraud protection	Applying for SNAP, Medicaid, or Energy Assistance	ConnectEBT or 1-866-281-2448
Local Department of Social Services	Case-specific help, paper forms, in-person help, deadline problems, interviews, copies, and missing notices	Marketplace plan shopping	Find your local DSS office
Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace	Private health plans if you do not qualify for Medicaid and are not yet on Medicare	SNAP, utility help, EBT card tasks	Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace

Why this matters for seniors: if you are 65 or older and need Medicaid, Medicare premium help, and food assistance, CommonHelp is usually the best first stop. If you already have Medicaid and your problem is a renewal, a notice, or a lost Medicaid card, Cover Virginia or your local social services office may be faster.

Quick facts

• Best immediate takeaway: Use CommonHelp if you want more than one benefit at once.
• Major rule: To fully check status online after you apply, you usually need your case number and your client or member ID.
• Realistic obstacle: Virginia lets you apply online for Energy Assistance, but CommonHelp does not let you check, report, or renew Energy Assistance there.
• Useful fact: On Virginia’s 2026 ABD and Medicare Savings page, the monthly income limit is $1,084 for one-person ABD Medicaid and $1,816 for a one-person Medicare Savings Program.
• Best next step: Gather proof before you log in, especially for renewals, because Virginia says CommonHelp renewals must be completed in one sitting.

Who qualifies

This section is about who should use the portal, not a guarantee of benefits. In plain language, the Virginia benefits portal is worth using if you are:

• a Virginia resident age 60 or older who needs help with food, medical costs, or utility bills;
• age 65 or older, blind, disabled, or on Medicare and want to see if you qualify for Medicaid or Medicare Savings Programs;
• an adult child, spouse, or caregiver helping a senior apply as an authorized representative;
• a grandparent raising grandchildren who may need SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, or child care help; or
• a low-income Dominion Energy customer who may qualify for the Percentage of Income Payment Program (PIPP).

Not sure if you qualify? Virginia’s CommonHelp portal has an optional screening tool. The state’s quick guide says the screening step is optional and does not submit an application.

What programs a senior can apply for through the portal

Most seniors will care about four main paths: CommonHelp for combined applications, Cover Virginia for Medicaid help, Energy Assistance and PIPP, and ConnectEBT after SNAP approval. Virginia’s local social services offices matter all the way through the process.

CommonHelp for one Virginia application across several programs

• What it is: Virginia’s self-service benefits portal for screening, applying, checking many benefits, reporting changes, and renewing certain cases.
• Who can get it or use it: Virginia residents, including seniors and authorized representatives, who want SNAP, Medicaid, Energy Assistance, TANF, or child care help.
• How it helps: You can file one online application, keep a tracking number, and later link your case to see status, documents needed, and upcoming renewals.
• How to apply or use it: If you only need health coverage, choose the health care path. If you need food, heat, cash help, aged or disabled Medicaid, or more than one program, choose All Benefit Programs.
• What to gather or know first: Names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, address, income, housing costs, utility bills, insurance information, and resource details if you are applying for ABD or long-term care Medicaid.

Cardinal Care, ABD Medicaid, and Medicare Savings Programs

• What it is: Virginia’s ABD Medicaid and Medicare Savings information through Cardinal Care.
• Who can get it or use it: Seniors age 65 or older, people who are blind or disabled, and Medicare beneficiaries with low income who need help with premiums or cost-sharing.
• How it helps: ABD Medicaid can provide full coverage. Virginia says it can also pay Medicare Part A and Part B premiums and most cost-sharing for eligible members. Medicare Savings Programs can help pay Medicare premiums and sometimes deductibles and copays.
• How to apply or use it: Apply through CommonHelp or use Cover Virginia’s phone and paper options. If you are 65 or older, on Medicare, or applying because of disability, Virginia says you must include Appendix D.
• What to gather or know first: Medicare card, Social Security award letter, pension or wage proof, bank balances, other insurance information, and any resource information the state asks for.

Long-term care, home-based services, and extra Medicaid forms

• What it is: Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS), sometimes called long-term care, for nursing facility or community-based care.
• Who can get it or use it: Seniors who may need nursing home coverage, waiver services, or home-based supports through Medicaid.
• How it helps: This is the Virginia path that matters when a family is trying to keep an older adult safe at home or pay for a higher level of care.
• How to apply or use it: Use Virginia’s Cardinal Care applications page. Seniors 65 and older or Medicare-eligible applicants need Appendix D. Virginia says applicants ages 19 to 64 who need LTSS and are not yet Medicare-eligible need Appendix F.
• What to gather or know first: Do not rely on the portal alone. Have medical, insurance, income, resource, and care-need papers ready, and plan to speak with your local social services office.

Energy Assistance and the Percentage of Income Payment Program

• What it is: Virginia’s Energy Assistance Program includes Fuel Assistance, Crisis Assistance, and Cooling Assistance. Virginia also offers PIPP for eligible Dominion Energy customers.
• Who can get it or use it: Low-income households with utility or fuel costs. Cooling Assistance is especially important for seniors because Virginia requires a vulnerable household member age 60 or older, a person with a disability, or a child under age six.
• How it helps: It can help with heating bills, shutoff emergencies, deposits, cooling bills, and some equipment costs. PIPP is utility-territory specific and only applies in Dominion Energy territory.
• How to apply or use it: Virginia accepts Energy Assistance applications online, by phone at 1-855-635-4370, and through your local DSS office. Fuel Assistance runs from the second Tuesday in October through the second Friday in November. Crisis Assistance runs from November 1 through March 15. Cooling Assistance runs June 15 through August 15.
• What to gather or know first: Utility account number, shutoff notice if you have one, fuel vendor name, proof of income, and proof of the vulnerable household member. Also know that CommonHelp does not let you check, report, or renew Energy Assistance online after you apply.

ConnectEBT for SNAP card safety, balance, and PIN changes

• What it is: Virginia’s official EBT card portal and app for SNAP households.
• Who can get it or use it: Seniors who already receive SNAP and want to manage the card, not the application.
• How it helps: Virginia says the official ConnectEBT lock and unlock feature can help stop theft, and the state warns that the ConnectEBT app is the only officially licensed app for Virginia SNAP benefits.
• How to apply or use it: Use ConnectEBT or call 1-866-281-2448. Do not try to apply for benefits there.
• What to gather or know first: Your EBT card, your PIN, and a safe place to store your login.

Local social services offices and free Virginia application assisters

• What it is: Your city or county Department of Social Services plus free community-based assisters listed by Cover Virginia.
• Who can get it or use it: Seniors who need paper forms, in-person help, copies, interpreters, local case answers, or backup when the website fails.
• How it helps: Local offices can help with interviews, notices, lost case numbers, and paper filing. Virginia’s application assister directory can connect you to free one-on-one help.
• How to apply or use it: Use the official local DSS finder. For Medicaid enrollment help, use the Cover Virginia help finder.
• What to gather or know first: Bring your ID, notices, screenshots, tracking number, and the list of documents you still owe.

How to apply or use without wasting time

How to create an account step by step

1. Pick the right starting lane. If you only want health coverage, you can use the health care path. If you want SNAP, Energy Assistance, or more than one benefit, pick All Benefit Programs on CommonHelp.
2. Create your user ID. Virginia’s CommonHelp registration page says the user ID must be 6 to 30 characters.
3. Create your password. Virginia says the password must be 8 to 16 characters and include at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one special character.
4. Add your name and contact information. Email is optional, but it matters. CommonHelp says it can email you a temporary password if you forget it.
5. Check your email if you entered one. Virginia says the account is not activated until you click the activation link.
6. Answer the security questions. CommonHelp asks for five secret questions and one custom question. Write the answers down exactly as you mean them.
7. Start the application and use Save + Exit for new applications. Virginia’s quick guide says a new application usually takes 20 to 60 minutes. If you close your browser without Save + Exit, you can lose your work.
8. Keep your login and tracking number together. The tracking number is useful if you need to call or visit an office later.

Caregiver tip: If you are helping a parent, use the authorized representative option when offered. Do not mix the senior’s income and your own on the same application unless the form asks for your household too.

How seniors can upload proof documents

Best practice: upload proof while you are already in the application. Virginia’s CommonHelp guide says the Finish Summary section lets you upload documents before you submit.

• For a new Medicaid or Cardinal Care application: Virginia says you can return requested information online through CommonHelp, by email to verify_docs@coverva.org, or by mail to the Cardinal Care Correspondence Center, P.O. Box 1820, Richmond, VA 23218.
• For a Medicaid renewal: the Cover Virginia renewal page says you can upload through CommonHelp or email renewal documents to covervadocs@coverva.org.
• For SNAP, TANF, or other local cases: once your case is linked, CommonHelp can show which documents you still owe. If the upload step fails, send copies to your local DSS office instead of waiting.

Simple upload tips: use a clear photo, include the whole page, do not cut off dates or dollar amounts, and save a copy of every file you send. If a paper has two sides, upload both sides.

How to renew benefits online

Do not wait for the last day. Virginia’s Medicaid renewal page says coverage is reviewed every year. If the state can renew you automatically, you get a letter. If not, you get a paper renewal form and must take action.

• Medicaid and Cardinal Care: renew online in CommonHelp, by phone through Cover Virginia, or by mailing or taking the paper renewal back to your local DSS office.
• After you log in: go to My Renewals and open the benefit that is due.
• Important Virginia rule: state training materials say renewals must be completed in one sitting. A new application can be saved and returned to later, but do not count on that for renewals.
• Not every program renews there: CommonHelp’s own guide says you cannot use it to check, report changes, or renew Energy Assistance or child care.

Change reporting matters too: Virginia’s ABD fact sheet says changes that may affect eligibility, such as income changes, must be reported within 10 days.

How to check application status

Do this after you receive a notice or case number. Virginia’s system usually needs a linked case before you can see full details online.

• Log in to CommonHelp and use Check my benefits.
• Link the case using your case number and client or member ID. Cover Virginia says these numbers are on the paper renewal form, and your local DSS office can also give them to you.
• Use the tabs wisely: Virginia’s CommonHelp guide says My Benefits shows the benefit name, status, household members getting the benefit, documents still needed, and upcoming renewals. My Applications shows application details.
• Look at contact details: benefit detail pages can show agency contact information and, in many cases, the assigned worker.

If the case will not link: call your local DSS office first. That is often faster than retrying the same login over and over.

What to do if a senior forgets login information

• Forgot password: use the Forgot your password link on the CommonHelp login page. Virginia’s password reset page asks for your user ID and email address.
• No longer have that email: call 1-855-635-4370 or your local DSS office. For Medicaid cases, you can also call Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-8282.
• Forgot the user ID too: check old notices, saved browser passwords, or any screenshot you took when you first registered. Virginia clearly documents password reset, but public CommonHelp pages do not show a simple stand-alone user-ID recovery path the way some other portals do.
• Account validation screen appears: Virginia also has an account validation page that asks for your case ID and client ID. Keep those numbers with your notices.
• Do not guess on a deadline day: if login recovery is not working, switch to phone, paper, mail, fax, or in-person help right away.

How to avoid fake websites and scams

Use bookmarks, not ads. Fake benefits sites often look official. In Virginia, the safest habit is to start from an official state page you already know, such as CommonHelp, Cover Virginia, or the Virginia Department of Social Services.

• Never pay to apply for SNAP, Medicaid, or Energy Assistance in Virginia.
• Use only the official ConnectEBT app or portal. Virginia says it is the only officially licensed app for Virginia SNAP benefits.
• Ignore surprise texts, emails, or calls asking for your EBT card number or PIN. On its EBT scam warning page, VDSS says it will never contact you that way to ask for that information.
• Check the web address. Official Virginia sites usually end in virginia.gov, dss.virginia.gov, or dmas.virginia.gov.
• When in doubt, call a number from an official page instead of clicking the message you received.

When seniors should apply online vs by phone vs in person

Situation	Best choice	Why
You need SNAP, Medicaid, and utility help together and you have your papers ready	Online through CommonHelp	Virginia lets you ask for several benefits in one place
You need Medicaid only, large-print help, or language help	By phone through Cover Virginia	Cover Virginia offers phone help, disability access, and interpreter support
You have a shutoff notice, no heat, or a deadline today	Phone or in person through local DSS	Urgent cases should not wait on a browser problem
You need nursing home or home-based long-term care coverage	Online plus phone or in-person follow-up	These cases often need Appendix D or F and human follow-up
You forgot your login, cannot link your case, or the site is down	Call or visit local DSS	Local workers can often confirm case numbers, notices, and missing proof faster

Accessibility note: DSS pages list TTY (text telephone) access at 1-800-828-1120 or 711. Cover Virginia lists TTY at 1-888-221-1590 and also offers free language help.

What documents to scan or upload before starting

Gather these first if you can:

• ☐ Photo identification, such as a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or other government-issued ID
• ☐ Full legal names, birth dates, and Social Security numbers for household members
• ☐ Proof of Virginia address, such as a lease, utility bill, or other mail showing current residence
• ☐ Income proof, including pay stubs, Social Security award letters, pension statements, Veterans benefits letters, or self-employment records
• ☐ Rent, mortgage, electric, gas, water, or heating bills if you are applying for SNAP or Energy Assistance
• ☐ Medical expense proof if you are age 60 or older and applying for SNAP
• ☐ Medicare card and other health insurance information if you are applying for Medicaid or Medicare Savings Programs
• ☐ Bank account, property, vehicle, and life insurance information if you are applying for ABD or long-term care Medicaid
• ☐ Immigration document numbers if anyone applying needs them
• ☐ Shutoff notice, security deposit bill, or fuel vendor information if you need Crisis or Fuel Assistance
• ☐ Dominion Energy account information if you think you may qualify for PIPP

Senior-specific note: if you get Medicare and have low income, gather both your Medicare card and your latest Social Security benefit amount. That makes Medicare Savings Program screening much faster.

Common portal problems older adults face

• Picking the wrong lane: Seniors often click the health-only path when they really need SNAP or Energy Assistance too. If you need more than health coverage, use All Benefit Programs.

• Not having the right numbers to link the case: Virginia asks for both a case number and a client or member ID. Many people have one but not the other.

• Waiting too long: CommonHelp sometimes posts planned maintenance. If your deadline is close, do not count on late-night filing.

• Thinking the portal replaces the mailbox: Virginia still sends paper notices, renewal forms, approval letters, denials, and verification requests by mail.

Where to get help using the portal

• CommonHelp and non-Medicaid application help: call 1-855-635-4370. Virginia’s web technical support page also tells users with CommonHelp problems to call that number.
• Medicaid and Cardinal Care help: use Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-8282 or 1-833-522-5582. Official Cover Virginia pages currently list both numbers.
• Local case help: use the Virginia local DSS finder.
• Free application help: use Virginia’s application assister directory. Cover Virginia says services are free and private.
• General local resource help: call 211 or 1-800-230-6977, or use 2-1-1 Virginia.

Best local office to call if the online system fails

The best local office is your own city or county Department of Social Services. Virginia’s official sites say that in most cases your local social services department should be the first call for benefits and services.

When you call or walk in, ask four things: Did you receive my application? What proof is still missing? What is my case number? What is my client or member ID?

Bring or save these items: your tracking number, a screenshot of the error, the date and time you tried to file, and every notice you already received.

Printable checklist before a senior starts an online application

• ☐ I know whether I need Health Care Only or All Benefit Programs.
• ☐ I have my ID, Social Security information, address proof, and income proof nearby.
• ☐ I have rent, mortgage, heating, cooling, and electric bill information nearby.
• ☐ I have Medicare and other insurance cards if I am applying for Medicaid help.
• ☐ I have bank and resource information if I am applying for ABD or long-term care Medicaid.
• ☐ I have a working email address if possible, so password recovery is easier.
• ☐ I have a pen or notebook for my user ID, password, tracking number, case number, and client or member ID.
• ☐ I have set aside enough time to finish a renewal in one sitting.
• ☐ I know my backup plan if the portal fails: phone, mail, fax, or local DSS.

Reality checks

• CommonHelp is a front door, not the final decision maker. Local social services staff still review many cases, ask for proof, and schedule interviews.

• Energy Assistance works differently from SNAP and Medicaid. You can apply online, but CommonHelp does not give you full online case management for Energy Assistance after that.

• Long-term care cases are rarely simple. If a senior needs nursing home or home-based Medicaid, expect extra forms, extra proof, and more follow-up.

• Virginia’s official pages are useful, but not always perfectly synced. If you see a conflict, use the program-specific page, keep copies, and call your local DSS office.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using ConnectEBT to try to apply for SNAP. It only manages the card after approval.
• Choosing health coverage only when you also need SNAP or utility help.
• Forgetting Appendix D when the applicant is 65 or older, on Medicare, or applying due to disability.
• Uploading blurry phone photos with cropped dollar amounts or missing page two.
• Ignoring paper mail because you expect every update to appear online first.
• Waiting until the deadline day for Fuel, Cooling, or renewal paperwork.
• Using third-party EBT apps instead of the official ConnectEBT portal or app.

Best options by need

• I need food, Medicaid, and utility help together: start at CommonHelp and choose All Benefit Programs.
• I need Medicaid only: use Cover Virginia’s application options or CommonHelp.
• I am 65 or older and need Medicare premium help: review Virginia’s ABD and Medicare Savings page and apply through CommonHelp or Cover Virginia.
• I need heating or cooling help fast: use Virginia Energy Assistance, call 1-855-635-4370, or go to your local DSS office.
• I need to protect my SNAP card: use ConnectEBT lock and unlock and call 1-866-281-2448 for card help.
• I need in-person help because the portal is too hard to use: contact your local DSS office or a free Virginia application assister.

What to do if denied, delayed, or blocked

• If the portal will not work: take a screenshot, write down the date and time, call 1-855-635-4370, and then switch to phone, paper, fax, mail, or in-person filing if a deadline is close.
• If Medicaid has not moved: Virginia’s application page points seniors to Cover Virginia and local DSS. Ask whether the case is waiting on proof, on a disability determination, or on a case link problem.
• If SNAP or Energy Assistance seems stuck: call your local DSS office. Ask whether the office received the application, whether an interview is scheduled, and which proof is still missing.
• If you were denied because of missing proof: read the notice closely. Sometimes the fastest fix is sending the missing proof right away and asking whether the office can still review it. Sometimes you need to appeal or file a new application.
• If you want to appeal a Medicaid decision: use the DMAS appeals portal, email appeals@dmas.virginia.gov, or call 804-371-8488. Virginia also lists an AIMS technical help line at 804-486-2865 for portal help.
• If you want to appeal SNAP, TANF, Energy Assistance, PIPP, or certain other DSS decisions: use the VDSS benefits appeals page. Virginia also lists 1-800-552-3431 for SNAP and TANF appeals questions.

Plan B / backup options

• Paper Medicaid application: download it from Virginia’s Cardinal Care applications page and return it to your local DSS office or the Cardinal Care Correspondence Center.
• Phone application: use Cover Virginia for Medicaid at 1-855-242-8282 or 1-833-522-5582, or use 1-855-635-4370 for Energy Assistance phone help.
• Mail or drop-off: Virginia says paper applications can still be mailed or taken to local DSS offices. This is often the best backup for seniors who do not want to sign electronically.
• Free assister help: use the Cover Virginia help finder if the application is too confusing to finish alone.
• Private health plan backup: if you are age 60 to 64, do not qualify for Medicaid, and are not on Medicare yet, use Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace.

Local resources

• Local Department of Social Services: use the official office finder for your county or independent city.
• Cover Virginia application assistance: use the statewide help finder for local assisters, certified application counselors, and Virginia Health Care Foundation support.
• 2-1-1 Virginia: call 211 or 1-800-230-6977, or use 2-1-1 Virginia for food, housing, transportation, and utility referrals while you wait.
• Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services: use DARS home and community-based services if a benefits problem is tied to aging, disability, or staying at home safely.
• Virginia Department of Veterans Services: older veterans can use Virginia veterans benefits and health help. The state says it has a network of benefits service offices across Virginia.

Diverse communities

Seniors with Disabilities

If blindness, disability, or the need for nursing facility or home-based care is part of the case, use the Cardinal Care application forms carefully and expect extra proof requests. Cover Virginia says large-print and language help are available, and DARS can help seniors connect to home and community supports.

Veteran Seniors

Low-income older veterans may still need CommonHelp for SNAP, Medicaid, or energy bills even if they receive Veterans benefits. Use the Virginia Department of Veterans Services for veterans-specific benefit counseling, and use CommonHelp or local DSS for state-run benefits.

Immigrant and Refugee Seniors

Do not guess about immigration rules. Gather document numbers before you start, ask for a qualified interpreter, and use Cover Virginia’s language help page when applying for health coverage. Virginia’s CommonHelp and Cover Virginia pages both support Spanish, and Cover Virginia lists help in many other languages.

Rural Seniors with Limited Access

If reliable internet is the problem, do not wait for a better signal if a deadline is near. Virginia allows phone applications for Medicaid through Cover Virginia, phone help for Energy Assistance, and paper filing through local DSS. 2-1-1 Virginia can also help you find nearby community support.

Frequently asked questions

Is CommonHelp the main Virginia benefits portal for seniors?

Yes, for most combined benefit applications. If a Virginia senior wants SNAP, Medicaid, and utility help together, CommonHelp is usually the right starting place. But it is not the only official tool. Cover Virginia handles many Medicaid and Cardinal Care questions, and ConnectEBT handles EBT card management after SNAP approval.

Can a senior apply for Medicaid, SNAP, and energy help in one Virginia application?

Usually, yes. That is one of the best reasons to use CommonHelp. Pick All Benefit Programs if you want food, utility, or cash help along with health coverage. If you pick the health-only path, you may have to do extra work later. Seniors who need only Medicaid can also apply through Cover Virginia’s phone or paper options.

What is the difference between CommonHelp and Cover Virginia?

CommonHelp is the main online application and self-service portal. Cover Virginia is the Medicaid and Cardinal Care help system that gives phone help, forms, renewal instructions, notices, and local assister links. Older adults often need both. A senior may file online through CommonHelp, then use Cover Virginia later for a renewal question, member ID issue, or disability access need.

How do I link my Virginia benefits case to CommonHelp after I apply?

After Virginia acts on your application, you should get a notice with a case number. To fully see case details in CommonHelp, Virginia says you usually need both the case number and your client or member ID. Go to Check my benefits, sign in, and link the case. If you do not have the numbers, call your local DSS office and ask for them.

Can I renew Fuel Assistance or Cooling Assistance in CommonHelp?

No. This is one of the easiest Virginia rules to miss. CommonHelp lets you apply online for Energy Assistance, but the state’s own guide says you cannot use CommonHelp to check benefits, report changes, or renew Energy Assistance there. Use the Virginia Energy Assistance page, call 1-855-635-4370, or work with your local DSS office when the next application season opens.

What should I do if CommonHelp is down and my deadline is today?

Do not keep retrying until the office closes. Take a screenshot, note the time, call 1-855-635-4370, and contact your local DSS office the same day. If the problem is Medicaid, call Cover Virginia too. Virginia still accepts paper, mail, fax, phone, and in-person filing for many benefits, and those options are often safer on a deadline day.

Should a 60-to-64-year-old use CommonHelp or Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace?

If you think you might qualify for Medicaid, or you also want SNAP or Energy Assistance, start with CommonHelp. If you only need a private health plan and you are not on Medicare yet, use Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace. Virginia says the Marketplace can also make Medicaid eligibility decisions, and if it finds you eligible for Medicaid or FAMIS, you can be enrolled and sent a notice.

Can an adult child or caregiver apply for a senior in Virginia?

Yes, but do it carefully. Virginia’s CommonHelp guide says the application includes an option to appoint an authorized representative. That is usually better than guessing through the form without the senior’s permission. Keep copies of every notice, the tracking number, the case number, and the client or member ID so the family can follow up with local DSS or Cover Virginia later.

Resumen en español

En Virginia, la mejor puerta de entrada para muchos adultos mayores es CommonHelp. Allí se puede pedir ayuda para comida, Medicaid y ciertos programas de energía en una sola solicitud. Pero no todo se maneja en el mismo sitio. Cover Virginia ayuda con preguntas sobre Medicaid, renovaciones y avisos, y ConnectEBT sirve solo para la tarjeta EBT, el saldo, el PIN y la función de bloqueo.

Si una persona mayor necesita ayuda médica y también ayuda con comida o calefacción, casi siempre conviene empezar con CommonHelp y escoger All Benefit Programs. Si el problema es una renovación de Medicaid, una carta que llegó por correo o un error con el caso, muchas veces es más rápido llamar a Cover Virginia o a la oficina local del Departamento de Servicios Sociales. Si hay una emergencia de calefacción o de electricidad, no espere a que el portal funcione mejor. Llame de inmediato y tenga a la mano la identificación, prueba de ingresos, facturas de servicios y cualquier aviso de corte.

About This Guide

This guide uses official federal, state, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.

Editorial note: This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

Verification: Last verified April 7, 2026, next review August 7, 2026.

Corrections: Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we respond within 72 hours.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, deadlines, phone lines, and availability can change. Always confirm current details directly with the official Virginia program, portal, or local office before you act.