While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps, helps eligible low-income individuals and families buy the food they need to stay healthy in the form of monthly benefits.
SNAP uses Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to distribute the benefits.
The West Virginia SNAP food assistance program is administered by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR). Learn more about SNAP on the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources website here.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase approved food items. These include:
See a more comprehensive list of what you can buy with SNAP benefits here and a list of approved snacks and meal supplements here.
There are also food items that cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits, including alcoholic beverages and hot prepared food. See a comprehensive list of what you cannot buy with SNAP benefits here.
SNAP provides monthly benefits, known as an allotment, to eligible households. The allotment amount you can receive is based on 1) the number of people in your household and 2) your household income.
To calculate your allotment amount, multiply your household’s net income by 0.3 and then subtract that number from the federal maximum monthly benefit amount in the table below.
| Household Number | Federal Maximum Allotment Per Month |
| 1 | $281 |
| 2 | $516 |
| 3 | $740 |
| 4 | $939 |
| 5 | $1,116 |
| 6 | $1,339 |
| 7 | $1,480 |
| 8 | $1,691 |
| Each additional household member | +211 |
You have one year (365 days) to use your allotment or the benefits on your EBT card will be canceled.
To learn more about your benefit amount in West Virginia, click here.
To qualify for SNAP in West Virginia, you must meet the following requirements:
Learn more about West Virginia’s income limits and other eligibility criteria here.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the West Virginia Food Stamps program, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.
Find a copy of the application and documents you may need on the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources website here
To apply for SNAP in person, fill out the SNAP application form found here and drop it off at your local DHHR office, which you can locate here.
To apply for SNAP by mail, fill out the SNAP application found here and send it to your local DHHR office. You can find the location nearest to you here.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources at 1 (304) 558-0628.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
If you applied by mail or in person, you can contact the local Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) office you applied through and ask them about your application status. You can find the contact information for all DHHR offices here.
If you applied for SNAP in person or by mail, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Health and Human Resources with your determination and benefit amount. If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 14 days of your determination letter.
Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.
SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or 1 (866) 545-6502. You can also check your balance online here or with the ebtEDGE mobile app.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), you can appeal your decision in person or by mail within 90 days of receiving your determination letter.
To file an appeal in person, visit a local Department of Health and Human Resources office and either request a Fair Hearing request form or print it out ahead of time here and turn it in to the DHHR office designated at the top of your determination letter.
To file a request for a Fair Hearing by mail, print and fill out the request form here and mail it to the DHHR office indicated at the top of your designation letter.
If you need assistance filing your appeal call the client services line at 1 (800) 642-8589.
You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or 1 (866) 545-6502. You can also check your balance online here or with the ebtEDGE mobile app, which can allow you to access your benefits on the go. You can find the mobile app details here.
Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources EBT card page here.
If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call West Virginia’s EBT customer service number at 1 (866) 545-6502.
You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at a DHHR office in West Virginia.
For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, click here.
For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources at 1 (304) 558-0628.
If you need to report a benefit change, you can call the customer service hotline at 1 (877) 716-1212 or send an email to dhhrbcfchangectr@wv.gov.
To send the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) information physically, you can fax your documents or questions to 1 (304) 558-4194 or mail them using the following address:
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
Bureau for Children and Families
350 Capitol Street, Room 730
Charleston, West Virginia 25301
You can also visit or call a local DHHR Office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
Offices and services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
Last Updated: September 26, 2022
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the West Virginia Food Stamps program, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.
Find a copy of the application and documents you may need on the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources website here
To apply for SNAP in person, fill out the SNAP application form found here and drop it off at your local DHHR office, which you can locate here.
To apply for SNAP by mail, fill out the SNAP application found here and send it to your local DHHR office. You can find the location nearest to you here.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources at 1 (304) 558-0628.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
If you applied by mail or in person, you can contact the local Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) office you applied through and ask them about your application status. You can find the contact information for all DHHR offices here.
If you applied for SNAP in person or by mail, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Health and Human Resources with your determination and benefit amount. If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 14 days of your determination letter.
Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with SNAP here.
SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card or 1 (866) 545-6502. You can also check your balance online here or with the ebtEDGE mobile app.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), you can appeal your decision in person or by mail within 90 days of receiving your determination letter.
To file an appeal in person, visit a local Department of Health and Human Resources office and either request a Fair Hearing request form or print it out ahead of time here and turn it in to the DHHR office designated at the top of your determination letter.
To file a request for a Fair Hearing by mail, print and fill out the request form here and mail it to the DHHR office indicated at the top of your designation letter.
If you need assistance filing your appeal call the client services line at 1 (800) 642-8589.
You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or 1 (866) 545-6502. You can also check your balance online here or with the ebtEDGE mobile app, which can allow you to access your benefits on the go. You can find the mobile app details here.
Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources EBT card page here.
If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call West Virginia’s EBT customer service number at 1 (866) 545-6502.
You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at a DHHR office in West Virginia.
For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, click here.
For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources at 1 (304) 558-0628.
If you need to report a benefit change, you can call the customer service hotline at 1 (877) 716-1212 or send an email to dhhrbcfchangectr@wv.gov.
To send the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) information physically, you can fax your documents or questions to 1 (304) 558-4194 or mail them using the following address:
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
Bureau for Children and Families
350 Capitol Street, Room 730
Charleston, West Virginia 25301
You can also visit or call a local DHHR Office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
Offices and services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
Last Updated: September 26, 2022