Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Virginia. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Medicare and health costs
Cardinal Care (Medicaid) in Virginia
Cardinal Care is Virginia's Medicaid program.
People 65 and older may qualify through the Aged, Blind and Disabled group with income up to 80% of the poverty level and savings up to $2,000, and people with higher income may qualify through a medically needy spend-down whose level depends on where you live. You can apply online through CommonHelp, by phone with Cover Virginia, or at your local Department of Social Services.
How to apply in Virginia
- By phone
- 1-855-242-8282
- In person
- Drop off a paper application at your local Department of Social Services (LDSS).
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Virginia
| One person | Married couple | |
|---|---|---|
| Income limit (2025 figure) | $1,044 a month (80% of the poverty level) | $1,410 a month (80% of the poverty level) Source: Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (source 1) |
| Savings limit (2026) | $2,000 | $3,000 Source: KFF (source 3) |
| Spend-down if your income is over the limit | Yes: you may qualify once medical bills bring your income down to Virginia's medically needy level, which depends on your locality: $410.05 to $615.08 a month for one person, $522.01 to $741.53 for two (from July 1, 2025) Source: Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (source 1) |
|---|---|
| Income limit for nursing-home or home-care Medicaid (2026) | $2,982 a month (300% of the SSI amount) Source: Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (source 1) |
| Medicaid for adults under 65 (expansion) | Yes: Virginia expanded Medicaid to low-income adults under 65 Source: KFF (source 4) |
How Virginia is different
Where Virginia's rules differ from the federal rules for Medicaid for people with Medicare.
- Higher income limit than SSI: 80% of the poverty level
- Spend-down (medically needy) available, with levels that vary by locality
Source: Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (source 1)
Free help
Free help with this in Virginia
Division for the Aging
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Virginia
Medicaid for older adults in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, Virginia Medical Assistance Eligibility Manual, Chapter M08: ABD Income (M0810.002, January 2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Cover Virginia (Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services), How to Apply (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- KFF, Medicaid Eligibility Levels for Older Adults and People with Disabilities (Non-MAGI) in 2026. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- KFF, Status of State Medicaid Expansion Decisions. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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