West Virginia SNAP (Food Assistance)
Last updated August 2026
West Virginia SNAP puts monthly food money on an EBT card you swipe like a debit card. The Bureau for Family Assistance runs it for the Department of Human Services under federal food rules. The quickest way to apply is online through the WV PATH portal, using the green Apply Now box.
Know the income line first. The gross monthly income limit is 130 percent of the federal poverty level. That is about $1,696 a month for one person and about $3,483 for a household of four. If your income goes over that line, you have to report it.
West Virginia SNAP applies an asset test, so your countable resources matter. Most households cannot own more than $3,000 in countable resources. That limit rises to $4,500 if at least one member is age 60 or older, or has a disability. Many households, though, are not subject to the asset test at all.
The state does not just count your gross pay. It takes off a 20 percent deduction from earned income, plus child care costs, high shelter and utility costs, and any court-ordered child support you pay out. Those deductions can pull a household that looks over the line back under it, so apply even if you are close.
Two rules matter for adults. Able-bodied adults without dependents can get only three months of SNAP unless they meet a work requirement. And your final benefit is based on your household size and your income after all those deductions come off.
Benefits load onto an EBT card each month. If food is short today, dial 2-1-1 for a nearby pantry while your case is processed.
Phone 1-877-716-1212
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Income-based; households pass a gross income test and then a net income test after deductions, and your local field office runs the exact figures for your household size
- Working families, older adults, and people with disabilities with limited income may qualify; the asset limit is higher for households with a member age 60 or older or with a disability
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Apply online at WV PATH using the green Apply Now box; paper and in-person options exist through a local DoHS office.
- 2
Report your household size, all income, and countable resources honestly.
- 3
Ask which deductions apply to you, since child care, shelter, and utility costs lower the income that counts.
- 4
Complete the interview and turn in your proof documents.
- 5
Set up your EBT card once you are approved.
What to have ready
- Photo ID for the person applying
- Proof of all household income
- Proof of resources, rent or mortgage, and utility costs. Your local office confirms the exact list.
What the application looks like
Common questions
What is the income limit for West Virginia SNAP?
The gross limit is 130 percent of poverty, about $1,696 a month for one person and about $3,483 for a household of four. Deductions can lower the income that actually counts.
Is there an asset test?
Yes. Most households cannot own more than $3,000 in resources, or $4,500 if a member is 60 or older or has a disability.
Where do I apply?
Online at WV PATH using the green Apply Now box. You can also apply by paper or in person at a local Department of Human Services office.
How long can adults without children get it?
Able-bodied adults without dependents can get only three months of SNAP unless they meet a work requirement.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
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