Skip to main content
You're logged in with MyAlex  |  Logout

City of Alexandria, VA

Search results cleared

Include archived pages
Most of the content here is written in English. Translate your search to find more content? Translating "" to English... Searching for English phrase ""
  • Live
  • Play
  • Services
  • Business
  • Government
  • Projects & Plans
  • Calendar
  • I want to…

CommonHelp Application for Public Assistance Benefits

Virginia residents can apply online for food assistance (SNAP), FAMIS, Medicaid, child care assistance, and TANF
energy assistance.
Page updated on December 11, 2023 at 8:47 AM

Contact

1.855.635.4370

Economic Support Group Menu

  • Department of Community & Human Services
  • ARISE Guaranteed Income Pilot
  • CommonHelp
  • Customer Relations and Call Center
  • Utility, Heating and Cooling
  • Basic Needs and Assistance
  • Medicaid
  • Refugee Assistance
  • Dental, Vision and Hearing Aid Program
  • Homeless Services
    • PATH: Homeless Assistance Program

Share

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook
Translate icon
Translate icon
XWARNING: You have chosen to translate this page using an automated translation system. This translation has not been reviewed by the City of Alexandria and may contain errors.

ATTENTION

End of SNAP Emergency Food Benefits and Emergency Medicaid Coverage

February 2023 will be the last payment of the COVID-19 SNAP emergency food benefits. If a beneficiary’s income or number of household members has changed, they should email DCHSPublicBenefits@alexandriava.gov. In addition to SNAP changes, the emergency Medicaid coverage-- provided to any individual in need of health insurance during the pandemic-- will end in February. See the full news release for details.

CommonHelp

CommonHelp allows Virginia residents to apply online for public assistance benefits including:

  • Food stamps (SNAP)
  • Medical assistance such as FAMIS and Medicaid
  • Child care assistance
  • Cash assistance (TANF)
  • Energy assistance

For information about benefit program eligibility and to apply online, visit  CommonHelp  or call 1.855.635.4370. Also available is the  Common Help Quick Guide, which provides guidance on using the application tool.

Preparing to Apply

You will be able to complete your on-line application faster if you have the following information with you before you start:

  • Address, including  zip code
  • Telephone number, so that we can contact you when we receive your application
  • Social security numbers and birth dates of all household members (children under 22 years of age must be included in the SNAP application)
  • Non-U.S. citizens: alien number, alien status, date of entry to the U.S.
  • Income
    • All gross income from jobs for each member of your household
    • All other income (for example: social security, pensions, etc.) received by members of your household
    • The amount and frequency of any child support payments
  • Housing and utility expense information (If applying for SNAP)
  • Child care expenses or expenses for the care of a person with disabilities
  • Medical expenses for persons with disabilities age 60 or older
  • Financial resource information, such as bank accounts, real estate property, life insurance, etc. (Only if applying for Medicaid under any of the following categories: Adults, Aged or Disabled Individuals)
  • Current or recent health insurance information (If applying for Medicaid)

NOTE: If you cannot complete your application on the first try, you may save it in the system for up to 60 days and continue on a later date.  Another option is to submit an incomplete application. A case worker will contact you to discuss any missing or unclear information.

What Happens After You Apply

After you submit your application, a City of Alexandria Department of Community & Human Services worker will call you to schedule an appointment.   

It will help us process your case and deliver benefits faster (if eligible), if on the day of the interview you have the following:

  • Proof of the identity of the applicant (for example, a driver’s license or a government issued i.d.)
  • Proof of where you live (for example, any of the following documents showing your current address: driver’s license, utility bill, lease agreement, etc.)
  • Pay stubs for every working member of your household for the month before you applied 
  • If pay stubs are not available, the telephone number of your employer(s) so that we may verify your income
  • Verification of child support payments and/or other income such as Social Security, pensions, workmen’s compensation, unemployment benefits
  • Medical insurance cards (if applying for Medicaid)

The above information is typically all we need to process most types of applications. However, if additional information is needed, the worker will let you know.

Contact Us
Alex311 | 703.746.4311
Follow Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Visitor Information

VisitAlexandriaVA.com

  • Emergency Hotlines
  • Social Media
  • Privacy & Legal
  • FOIA Requests
  • Departments
  • Jobs
  • Payments

Alexandria City Hall
301 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

City of Alexandria Seal
© 1995–2023 City of Alexandria, VA and others.
Hold on, redirecting...