What the New Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) Program Means for SNAP Recipients

As the cost of groceries continues to rise and many households struggle to make ends meet, food assistance programs play a vital role in supporting our community. If you are a recipient of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Virginia, you may have heard about the new Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) program — here’s what you need to know, why it’s happening, and how it affects you.

Why was VENA created?

With the federal government shutdown now in effect, federal benefits, such as SNAP, are at risk of being delayed or interrupted. In response, the Commonwealth of Virginia has established VENA as a stop-gap, state-supported emergency food assistance program to ensure households who rely on SNAP will continue to receive support until federal funding is restored.

How VENA works

• If you were eligible for SNAP as of October 29, 2025, you will automatically be eligible for VENA under the same household eligibility standards.
• VENA will use your existing EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card — you will not need a new card or separate account.
• Instead of receiving a lump monthly payment (as with SNAP), VENA benefits will be issued weekly. For example, if your usual SNAP monthly benefit is $200, under VENA, you may receive approximately $50 per week.
• The issuance schedule will mirror the existing SNAP staggered system — e.g. households whose benefits are usually issued on the 1st of the month will receive on Monday each week; those typically on the 4th will receive on Wednesday; those on the 7th will receive on Friday of each week.
• Funding for VENA comes from the state’s budget surplus under the emergency powers declared by the Governor, rather than federal funding.
• VENA is intended to “bridge the gap” during the federal funding interruption — once federal SNAP benefits resume, VENA will end, and the regular SNAP process will resume.

What you should do now

• Monitor your EBT card balance regularly to determine how much benefit you have remaining.
• Plan your food budget on a week-by-week basis, as you’ll receive your benefit in smaller weekly increments instead of a single monthly allotment.
• Stretch your benefit by prioritizing nutritious staples and planning meals ahead.
• If you need additional groceries, use our FredFoodVA app or Pantry Locator Map to find a food assistance program near you.
• Stay informed: visit the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) website for updates on VENA and SNAP.

Why this matters for our community

For many families, SNAP benefits are not just extra — they are essential. The interruption of benefits could lead to real hunger, tougher trade-offs between food and other necessities, and increased reliance on emergency food services. By implementing VENA, Virginia is stepping in to protect access to food during this uncertain time.

At the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank, we are committed to working alongside you — whether you’re already enrolled in SNAP, newly eligible, or seeking additional resources to keep your household fed and healthy. If you have questions about VENA, SNAP, or any of our programs, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Change can feel disruptive — but the creation of VENA is a proactive step to make sure that when the federal system is interrupted, no household goes without food support. We encourage you to stay tuned, stay informed, and reach out if you need help navigating these changes. Together, we’ll get through this period of uncertainty and keep our community strong and fed.