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VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES INTRODUCTION

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vendors authorized by USDA to accept SNAP benefits. Note that authorized retailers and restaurants participating in Virginia Restaurant Meals Program (VRMP) may display a sign indicating authorization that reads, "We accept SNAP Benefits" or similar language, or that displays the QUEST logo. Other authorized facilities include: • Nonprofit meal delivery services, such as Meals-On-Wheels, or feeding sites for the elderly; • Authorized drug addiction and alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation centers; • Certain group living arrangements; • Shelters for battered women and children; and • Authorized nonprofit establishments that feed homeless persons and restaurants authorized to accept SNAP benefits. • Proper use of the benefits. • Purchase any food or food product for human consumption; or • Purchase seeds and plants for use in gardens to produce food for the household's personal consumption. • Using benefits when making purchases. • Separate eligible items from ineligible ones at the checkout counter unless the store is electronically programmed to identify eligible and ineligible items. • Advise the cashier beforehand of the intent to use SNAP benefits if electronic programming is not available to denote SNAP benefits or when the household will use EBT in conjunction with other payment methods. • Improper use of benefits. Households may not use SNAP benefits to purchase or pay for the following: • Alcoholic beverages or tobacco; • Hot foods ready for immediate consumption or food to eat on the store’s premises, excluding meals prepared by approved restaurants participating in VRMP and consumed by eligible VRMP SNAP participants; • Pet foods, soap products, paper products, or other non-food items usually available in a grocery store; • To pay back grocery bills or tabs for food received on credit; • Firearms, ammunition, explosives, or controlled substances; or • Purchasing a product with SNAP benefits and intentionally: • discarding the contents in order to return the container for the return deposit amount; • reselling a purchased product for cash; or  exchanging a purchased product for cash or for consideration other than eligible food. • At reapplication or recertification, determine if another EBT card is needed.

The agency must assist households who have difficulty in accessing their SNAP benefits, such as households comprised of elderly or disabled members, homeless households or those without a fixed mailing address. For example, the agency might assist an elderly person who is housebound in finding an authorized representative who might access the household’s benefit account and shop for groceries on behalf of the household. To ensure timely participation, the agency should issue a vault card to Address Confidentiality Program participants who elect to use a substitute mailing address. See Part VII.B.

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