Food, Financial and Medical Assistance for Neighbors in Need
If you need assistance getting groceries or meals, please call 703-228-1300.
Locations of food pantries and free meal pick-up for children and families are shown on this map.
Food Assistance
Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP)
Many Arlington households are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The entire household does not need to meet eligibility requirements to receive benefits.
Effective March 25, 2020, the state will increase a household’s current monthly allotment to the maximum allowed for its size. For example, that is $194 for a single-person household in Virginia, $646 for a four-person household and $1,164 for an eight-person household. Learn more, and apply online with CommonHelp.
Arlington Public Schools Free Lunch/Breakfasts
Arlington Public Schools is now serving meals free meals for all students. Although school meals are provided free to all children, school funding and eligibility for other programs depends on completed meal applications.
Arlington Food Assistance Center
The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) provides free weekly supplemental groceries to Arlington residents in need. AFAC will continue to provide free weekly groceries to Arlingtonians in need during the COVID-19 pandemic, and distributions will continue at its Shirlington headquarters (2708 South Nelson Street).
Visit the AFAC site for more information, including details for new clients in need of food, free meals for kids, home delivery options and more.
Additional Resources
Financial Assistance
Arlington County’s Department of Human Services assists low income Arlington residents who cannot meet their basic needs and is expanding supports to households affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Types of services provided include: Assistance with financial difficulty in paying rent, utilities, obtaining food, medical care, prescription medication, dental needs, transportation, eyeglasses and clothing. Learn more.
Call 703-228-1300.
Unemployment Insurance
If you are a worker who has been totally or partially separated from your job due to COVID-19, visit the Virginia Employment Commission to see if you are eligible for unemployment insurance, or call 866-832-2363, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (online applications are preferred).
Additional information: General Unemployment Information on Claims related to layoff March 2020
Beginning with claims effective March 15, 2020, Governor Northam has directed that the one week waiting period and the requirement to conduct a weekly job search both be suspended for those receiving unemployment insurance benefits.
The Arlington Employment Center is operating at limited capacity to ensure social distancing due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). All workshops, hiring events, and access to the Resource Center/Computer Lab is suspended at this time.
The Employment Center’s virtual services are fully operational:
Additional Information
- Virginia has suspended co-pays for any Medicaid or FAMIS covered services.
- Evictions have been suspended
- The Arlington Community Foundation is focusing its Prompt Response Fund exclusively on support to nonprofit organizations who are on the front lines with clients, patients, and residents impacted by the health crisis. Donate here
- Virginia Department of Social Service updates and resources
- County Board letter requests landlords to have maximum flexibility
- Dominion Power will not shut off power for nonpayment, and will reconnect customers whose services were shut off
- AT&T is waiving wireless plan overage charges for data, voice or text
- Comcast is offering 2 free months of Internet Essentials, offering free access to Wifi hotspots, suspending disconnects, waiving late fees, and pausing their data plan
- Verizon is waiving late fees, suspending terminations, and offering low cost alternatives to customers
- T-Mobile is providing unlimited data to existing customers for the next 60 days
Medical Assistance
Virginia has suspended co-pays for any Medicaid or FAMIS covered services.
Virginia Medicaid is Taking Action to Fight COVID-19 | Apply for Medicaid
Renew your Medicaid by phone: 855-242-8282
Have you been impacted by COVID-19? Get help and resources.
If you think you have symptoms of COVID-19, contact your doctor or health care provider, and they can order a test. Health care providers are using their medical judgement to order tests for COVID-19. More information on COVID-19 testing.
More Resources
COVID-19 Video Updates