Disability Benefits and Help in Virginia

SSDI and SSI in Virginia

Social Security disability works the same in every state: SSA takes your application, and a state agency makes the medical decision. In Virginia, that agency is the Virginia Disability Determination Services (Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services). In 2026, SSI pays up to $994 a month for an individual before any state supplement, and work above $1,690 a month generally rules out disability benefits.

Start with how to apply, SSDI vs SSI and the eligibility screener. To visit an office, find Social Security offices in Virginia on socialsecurityofficesnearme.com, the office finder from the same publisher.

Does Virginia Add to SSI?

Auxiliary Grants are a monetary supplement that helps low-income Virginians who are 65 or older, blind or disabled (SSI recipients and certain other adults) pay for housing in a qualified assisted living facility, adult foster home, or supportive housing that accepts Auxiliary Grants. Assets must be under $2,000 for one person or $3,000 for a couple, and you must have lived in Virginia at least 90 days. The state runs it through Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS); applications through your local department of social services, separately from SSA.

Source: state program page. See how SSI works and the SSI calculator.

Short-Term Disability in Virginia

Virginia has no state short-term disability insurance program and no state paid medical leave program for your own health condition.

Compare every state program in state disability insurance.

Medicaid for People With Disabilities in Virginia

Virginia's Medicaid program is run by the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), Cardinal Care / Cover Virginia. The state is a 209(b) state, which federal law allows to use Medicaid rules more restrictive than SSI's. SSI recipients apply to the state Medicaid agency separately and its rules can differ from SSI's. (SSA)

Working with a disability: MEDICAID WORKS (Medicaid Buy-In) lets people with disabilities who work keep Medicaid coverage.

Home and Community Services in Virginia

• Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC+) Waiver
• Community Living (CL) Waiver: People with developmental disabilities (one of the DD Waivers)
• Family and Individual Support (FIS) Waiver: People with developmental disabilities (one of the DD Waivers)
• Building Independence (BI) Waiver: People with developmental disabilities (one of the DD Waivers)

More on Medicaid for people with disabilities and getting paid as a family caregiver.

Vocational Rehabilitation in Virginia

Virginia's vocational rehabilitation agencies help people with disabilities prepare for, find and keep jobs:

• Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
• Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) (for people who are blind or visually impaired)

How it works: vocational rehabilitation.

Disability Rights Help in Virginia

disAbility Law Center of Virginia (dLCV) is Virginia's protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities.

Know your rights: the ADA, accommodations at work, IEPs and 504 plans.

ABLE Accounts in Virginia

ABLEnow (also ABLEAmerica): ABLEnow and ABLEAmerica are Virginia-sponsored ABLE programs; contributions may qualify for a Virginia income tax deduction of up to $2,000 per contributor. In 2026 you can contribute up to $20,000 a year, and the disability must have started before age 46.

Details: ABLE accounts.

Disability Parking Placards in Virginia

Apply through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) using Disabled Parking Plates or Placard Application (MED 10). Fee: Temporary and permanent placards for citizens are free of charge.

How placards work everywhere: disability parking placards.

Virginia Disability Help: Common Questions