Free and low-cost help in Virginia
A practical starting point for Virginians who need help with bills, health care, food or housing, with clear places to call and ask.
- Medicaid expansion: yes
- Community health center sites: 193
- Federal disaster declarations, last 12 months: 1
Check what you can get first
A two-minute anonymous check of the programs worth applying for in Virginia.
Where to start
Start with one call to 211. It is free, confidential and connects you to local help with rent, utilities, food, health care and more. Say what you need first and ask what to bring.
Use the HelpBLESS benefits checker for a two-minute anonymous check of US programs worth applying for. The Help near me tool shows housing counselors, health centers, treatment and disaster declarations for your ZIP code. If you are in emotional distress or crisis, call or text 988 any time.
Gather what you already have: photo ID, recent income papers, a lease or utility bill, and the names and ages of people in your household. Ask each office what it needs before you make copies. Write down the date, who you spoke with and what they said.
Health care
Virginia has expanded Medicaid, so many adults with low incomes may be eligible. Medicaid and CHIP offer free or low-cost coverage, and you can apply any time of year. The federal marketplace offers income-based savings, and the federal children's coverage site explains options for children and teens.
There are 193 federally funded health center sites in Virginia. Richmond has 14, Alexandria and Lynchburg have 9 each, and Newport News has 7. They charge on a sliding fee by income, insured or not. Use the Find a Health Center tool to search near you.
If you have a hospital bill, ask for the hospital's written financial assistance policy. Nonprofit hospitals must have one; the IRS explains the rule. The government treatment locator can help you find mental health and substance use treatment, including low-cost options.
Food and cash help
If you need food today, use the Feeding America food bank finder to locate a pantry near you. For ongoing help, apply for SNAP through the state directory. SNAP helps buy food, and the state office takes your application.
WIC gives food, formula and nutrition help to pregnant people, new parents and children under 5. Free and reduced-price school meals are handled through your school district. TANF offers temporary cash assistance for families with children and is run by each state.
The IRS EITC Assistant can help you check whether the Earned Income Tax Credit may apply to you. Have income papers ready. Ask the program what proof it needs.
Housing and utility bills
For utility bills, contact the LIHEAP office that takes applications where you live. Ask about the Weatherization Assistance Program, which offers free insulation, sealing and heating repairs that lower energy bills for income-eligible households. Rules vary by place.
For rent, ask about HUD rental assistance, including public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers and other HUD rental programs. A HUD-approved housing counselor can give free or low-cost counseling on renting, eviction, foreclosure and budgeting.
If you have an eviction notice or a lease problem, ask for free civil legal aid. Legal Services Corporation can help you find a free civil legal aid office. The Lifeline discount can lower phone or internet bills for eligible households.
Disasters and emergencies
In the past 12 months, Virginia had a Severe Winter Storm emergency declaration dated January 23, 2026. After a declared disaster, you can apply for FEMA and other federal disaster aid through the federal disaster assistance application.
The American Red Cross may help with shelter, emergency supplies and recovery after disasters and home fires. Official preparedness guidance explains how to prepare for and recover from emergencies. A declaration does not mean every household gets aid; apply and ask what is covered.
Asking your community
On HelpBLESS, you can post a need for money, time, skills, goods or advice. Posting is free, and a person reviews each post. You can limit a post to your state, city or ZIP code so neighbors see it.
Say what happened, what you need, how much or what kind of help, by when, and what you have already tried. Keep it short and specific. If you draft a title, use a plain template like Help with [rent amount] in [your city].
Keep your Social Security number, bank account numbers, exact home address, children's school details, medical records, immigration papers and legal case details out of a public post. Share documents only with a verified program or professional. Ask questions before you send anything.
Community health centers in Virginia
Virginia has 193 federally funded health center sites. They see patients whether or not they have insurance and charge on a sliding scale by income. Cities with the most sites: Richmond (14), Alexandria (9), Lynchburg (9), Newport News (7), Danville (5), Arlington (4), Madison Heights (4), Martinsville (4).
- Neighborhood Health at the Casey ClinicNeighborhood Health1200 N Howard St, Alexandria, VA, 22304703-778-0340Website
- Neighborhood Health Arlington Pediatric CenterNeighborhood Health2301 Columbia Pike, Apartment G, Arlington, VA, 22204703-535-5568
- PATHS Community Medical Center - Danville RiversidePiedmont Access To Health Services, INC.336 Old Riverside Dr, Danville, VA, 24541434-791-3630Website
- 5th Street Community Health CenterCommunity Access Network INC800 5th St, Lynchburg, VA, 24504434-818-7880Website
- 48th Street PhysiciansPeninsula Institute for Community Health, INC4714 Marshall Ave, Newport News, VA, 23607757-380-8709Website
- South Side Medical CenterCapital Area Health Network101 Cowardin Ave, Suite 102, Richmond, VA, 23224804-780-0840Website
One site in each of the largest cities, from HRSA’s public list. Find the nearest one to you with Help near me or HRSA’s locator.
Disaster declarations in Virginia, last 12 months
- Severe Winter Storm · Winter Storm · Emergency · declared Jan 23, 2026
From OpenFEMA. Where individual assistance is available, apply at DisasterAssistance.gov. See all current disasters on the disaster tracker.
Health care
Free public services and nonprofits. HelpBLESS is not connected to them. Links checked 2026-11-06.
- Find a Health Center (HRSA)USCommunity health centers that charge on a sliding scale by income, insured or not.
- Medicaid and CHIPUSFree or low-cost health coverage; you can apply any time of year.
- HealthCare.govUSThe federal health insurance marketplace, with income-based savings.
- InsureKidsNow.govUSFree or low-cost health coverage for children and teens.
- IRS: hospital financial assistance policiesUSNonprofit hospitals must have a written financial assistance (charity care) policy; this page explains the rule.
- FindTreatment.govUSGovernment locator for mental health and substance use treatment, including low-cost options.
Food and cash help
Free public services and nonprofits. HelpBLESS is not connected to them. Links checked 2026-11-06.
- SNAP state directoryUSWhere to apply for SNAP food benefits in your state.
- WICUSFood, formula and nutrition help for pregnant people, new parents and children under 5.
- Free and reduced-price school mealsUSHow to apply for free or reduced-price school meals through your school district.
- Feeding America food bank finderUSFind the food bank and pantries that serve your area.
- TANF state officesUSTemporary cash assistance for families with children, run by each state.
- IRS EITC AssistantUSCheck whether you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Housing and utility bills
Free public services and nonprofits. HelpBLESS is not connected to them. Links checked 2026-11-06.
- LIHEAP state and territory contactsUSThe office that takes LIHEAP applications where you live.
- Weatherization Assistance ProgramUSFree insulation, sealing and heating repairs that lower energy bills for income-eligible households.
- HUD rental assistanceUSPublic housing, Housing Choice Vouchers and other HUD rental programs.
- HUD-approved housing counselorsUSFree or low-cost counseling on renting, eviction, foreclosure and budgeting.
- Lifeline phone and internet discountUSThe federal Lifeline discount on phone or internet service for eligible households.
Legal help
Free public services and nonprofits. HelpBLESS is not connected to them. Links checked 2026-11-06.
- Legal Services Corporation: find legal aidUSFind a free civil legal aid office for people with low incomes.
- LawHelp.orgUSFree legal aid programs and self-help information by state.
Disasters and emergencies
Free public services and nonprofits. HelpBLESS is not connected to them. Links checked 2026-11-06.
- DisasterAssistance.govUSApply for FEMA and other federal disaster aid after a declared disaster.
- American Red Cross: get helpUSShelter, emergency supplies and recovery help after disasters and home fires.
- Ready.govUSOfficial guidance on preparing for and recovering from emergencies.
Anything else
Free public services and nonprofits. HelpBLESS is not connected to them. Links checked 2026-11-06.
- 211USA free, confidential line that connects you to local help with rent, utilities, food, health care and more.Dial 211
- findhelp.orgUSSearch free and reduced-cost programs by ZIP code: food, housing, bills, health, work.
- Eldercare LocatorUSConnects older adults and caregivers with local aging services.1-800-677-1116
- 988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineUSFree, confidential support for anyone in emotional distress or crisis, any time.Call or text 988
Questions
Where should I start if I am behind on bills in Virginia?
Call 211 first. It is free and confidential and can connect you to local help with rent, utilities, food and health care. Then ask one program what documents it needs.
Can I get Medicaid in Virginia if I have low income?
Virginia has expanded Medicaid, so many adults with low incomes may be eligible. You can apply any time of year. Eligibility depends on income, household size and other rules, so ask for help with the application.
How do I find a free or low-cost clinic in Virginia?
Use the Find a Health Center tool to search federally funded health centers in Virginia. There are 193 sites in the state, including 14 in Richmond, 9 each in Alexandria and Lynchburg, and 7 in Newport News. They charge on a sliding fee by income, insured or not.
What if I need food today?
Use the Feeding America food bank finder to locate a pantry near you. For ongoing help, apply for SNAP through the state directory, and check WIC if you are pregnant, a new parent or have a child under 5. School meal applications go through your school district.
Ask your community
Post a need for money, time, skills or things. Posting is free, and you can limit it to your state, city or ZIP code.
This guide was drafted with AI from HelpBLESS’s own rules and the public services listed on this page, then checked automatically for accuracy before it was published. It is general information, not legal, medical, tax or financial advice. Rules and programs vary by place; check with the service itself. Spotted a problem? Tell us.