Virginia Medicaid: apply for Cardinal Care and follow your case
Virginia’s Cardinal Care application reviews Medicaid and FAMIS children’s health coverage. Use CommonHelp or ask Cover Virginia for help by phone. Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) applications are open throughout the year.
What this guide helps you do
- Where it applies
- Virginia · Medicaid
- Your next action
- Prepare an application, respond to requests and identify your next action.
- Who decides
- This guide explains a process. The responsible agency decides eligibility, amounts and deadlines for your case.
Start here
Open CommonHelp, or call Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-8282. If you already applied, find the application number and your latest notice.
Who this guide is for
Virginia residents seeking coverage for adults or children. Tell the agency about pregnancy, disability, Medicare, age 65 or older, or long-term-care needs. These circumstances can require a different category or supplement; one adult income figure does not decide every case.
Have these ready if available
- Full legal names, dates of birth and current contact details.
- Recent pay records, payment frequency and self-employment details if applicable.
- Other health insurance, Medicare and insurance offered through employment.
- Social Security numbers for applicants when required; people not applying do not have to provide an SSN. Follow the form’s immigration-document instructions.
- Application or case number, notices and any requested supplements.
Your steps
Identify who needs coverage
List adults and children applying. Ask about Medicaid or FAMIS for a child, even if the adult does not qualify. Mention needs that may require extra forms.
Choose online, telephone or paper
Use CommonHelp, call 1-855-242-8282, or use a paper application. The official page gives the mailing address and local Department of Social Services (LDSS) directory. Telephone hours are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.; text telephone (TTY) 1-888-221-1590.
Complete one section at a time
Check the income period before entering amounts. If a question is unclear, ask Cover Virginia or LDSS for help. Free interpreters and accessible formats are available.
Submit and save the confirmation
Follow the signature and submission instructions. Keep the number, date and a copy. Ask how to confirm receipt for a telephone or paper application.
Answer requests for more information
A letter will say what is missing. Use its deadline and official submission route, such as CommonHelp or LDSS. Contact the agency before the due date if something is unavailable.
Ask for a progress update
Use CommonHelp or contact Cover Virginia or LDSS with the application number. Ask what is outstanding and what decision timeframe applies to the category.
Read each person’s result
Check coverage dates and health-plan instructions. If you disagree with an eligibility decision, use the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) appeal route below; keep the notice and the date you received it.
After you apply
Keep the approval, member information and plan instructions together. Ask which providers accept the coverage. Read renewal letters and report contact changes so you do not miss requests.
If you get stuck
Call Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-8282 (TTY 1-888-221-1590). Say: “I applied on [date], application [number]. What is missing and what should I do next?” Ask for a free interpreter in your language or an accessible format.
If something gets in the way
I cannot provide the requested proof
Before the letter’s deadline, ask Cover Virginia or LDSS what other evidence it can use. Keep a record of the answer and of documents sent.
I cannot understand my letter
Mark the due date and case number. Call Cover Virginia for language assistance or another format; do not assume the deadline has changed.
I received an appointment request
Ask which benefit or assessment it concerns and how to attend. Do not assume every Medicaid application has an interview. Contact the agency promptly if you must reschedule.
My family, income or address changed
Update the information through CommonHelp, Cover Virginia or LDSS. Keep confirmation and ask how the change affects each covered person.
I have no decision
Ask the agency to confirm receipt and explain the delay. Virginia allows an appeal about failure to act with reasonable promptness while the agency has not acted; ask DMAS about that route.
After you apply: keep the process moving
Keep submission proof
Keep the application number, submission date and document receipts together in a private place.
Check where notices will arrive
Confirm your address and phone number with Cover Virginia or LDSS, including after a move.
Check any requested appointment
Record the benefit, time, contact method and any interpreter or accessibility arrangement. Ask to reschedule if needed.
Confirm the agency received your evidence
Check whether each requested item arrived and whether anything is still due. Use the instructions on the latest letter.
Read the renewal result or form
The agency may renew automatically if it has enough information. If it sends a renewal form, respond by the deadline through CommonHelp, by phone, or by returning the paper form to LDSS.
Appeal an eligibility decision
Virginia’s eligibility appeal deadline is generally 30 days after receipt of the notice. The rule presumes receipt five days after mailing unless you show otherwise. File through the DMAS appeal route; keep proof and the full notice. Ask immediately about an earlier deadline for continued coverage. Health-plan service appeals follow a different process, so use the instructions for that decision.
Common questions
Can I apply for Medicaid and SNAP together?
CommonHelp can accept applications for more than one benefit. Each benefit has its own eligibility and follow-up requirements; one decision does not settle the others.
Must a family member who is not applying provide an SSN?
Cover Virginia says people not applying for coverage do not have to provide an SSN. Answer the other household questions as the application instructs.
What if the application involves long-term care?
Tell the agency at the start. Ask which supplements, financial evidence and care assessments are needed. Ordinary adult coverage rules do not resolve all long-term-care eligibility.
How do I actually request an appeal?
Cover Virginia lists DMAS online, email, telephone, fax, mail and in-person options. Keep a full copy of the decision and proof of filing. For appeal questions, call 804-371-8488.
Official sources
- Cover Virginia — Apply and send documentsSources checked: 2026-09-13
- Cover Virginia — Applications and supplementsSources checked: 2026-09-13
- Cover Virginia — Language and disability assistanceSources checked: 2026-09-13
- Cover Virginia — Update informationSources checked: 2026-09-13
- Cover Virginia — Renew coverageSources checked: 2026-09-13
- Virginia Code 12VAC30-110-160 — Appeal deadlinesSources checked: 2026-09-13
- Cover Virginia — AppealsSources checked: 2026-09-13
- HealthCare.gov — Medicaid and CHIPSources checked: 2026-09-13
- CommonHelp — Apply, check benefits and report changesSources checked: 2026-09-13
- Cover Virginia — Application and case supportSources checked: 2026-09-13