Free help lines in Virginia
State and local agencies that help older adults and their families in Virginia. Calling them is free.
ESB (EverySeniorBenefits.com) is not a government agency. These numbers reach the agencies directly. We have no phone line of our own and never charge for help.
In an emergency, call 911.
Read the Virginia benefits guide
Virginia agencies
Medicaid and help paying Medicare costs
Cardinal Care Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs (Cover Virginia)
Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services
- Phone 1-855-242-8282 Cover Virginia call center; you can also apply at your local Department of Social Services
- TTY 1-888-221-1590
- Website coverva.dmas.virginia.gov
- Online coverva.dmas.virginia.gov/apply
Checked 2026-10-18 on coverva.dmas.virginia.gov
Food help (SNAP)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Virginia Department of Social Services
- Phone 1-833-522-5582 SNAP Assistance hotline; you can also apply at your local department of social services
- TTY 1-800-828-1120
- Website dss.virginia.gov/benefit/snap.cgi
- Online commonhelp.virginia.gov/access
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.dss.virginia.gov
Free Medicare counseling
Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP)
Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
- Phone 1-800-552-3402
- Website vda.virginia.gov/vicap.htm
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.shiphelp.org
Aging services and local help
No Wrong Door Virginia (finds local Area Agencies on Aging and services)
Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
- Phone 1-888-992-0959 Language interpretation in over 200 languages; Find your local Area Agency on Aging at vda.virginia.gov/aaamap.htm
- Hours 24/7
- Website easyaccess.virginia.gov
- Online vda.virginia.gov/aaamap.htm
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.easyaccess.virginia.gov
Help with energy bills
Energy Assistance Program (fuel, crisis and cooling assistance)
Virginia Department of Social Services
- Phone 1-855-635-4370 Apply by phone through the Enterprise Customer Service Center; Fuel: October (2nd Tuesday) to November (2nd Friday); Crisis: November 1 to March 15; Cooling: June 15 to August 17
- Hours Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Website dss.virginia.gov/benefit/ea/index.cgi
- Online commonhelp.virginia.gov
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.dss.virginia.gov
Report abuse, neglect or exploitation
Adult Protective Services (APS) hotline
Virginia Department of Social Services
- Phone 1-888-832-3858
- TTY 1-800-828-1120
- Hours 24/7
- Website dss.virginia.gov/general-info/contact-us
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.dss.virginia.gov
Nursing home and assisted living complaints
Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
- Phone 1-800-552-5019
- Website elderrights.virginia.gov
- Online easyaccess.virginia.gov/service-finder/ombuds
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.easyaccess.virginia.gov
Report Medicare fraud and billing errors
Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging
- Phone 1-800-938-8885
- Website virginiasmp.com
Checked 2026-10-18 on smpresource.org
Insurance questions and complaints
Bureau of Insurance consumer services
Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Insurance
- Phone 1-877-310-6560 Toll-free nationwide; local 804-371-9741; SCC toll-free in Virginia 800-552-7945
- TTY 804-371-9206
- Website scc.virginia.gov
- Email [email protected]
Checked 2026-10-18 on appspre.scc.virginia.gov
Scams and consumer complaints
Consumer Protection Section (Consumer Protection Hotline)
Office of the Attorney General of Virginia
- Phone 1-800-552-9963 Toll-free from Virginia; otherwise 804-786-2042
- Hours 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday
- Website oag.state.va.us/consumer-protection
- Online oag.state.va.us/consumer-protection/index.php/file-a-complaint
Checked 2026-10-18 on www.oag.state.va.us
National help lines
Social Security national line
Social Security Administration
Call about retirement, disability, survivor or SSI benefits, Social Security cards, Medicare enrollment and replacement Medicare cards.
- Phone 1-800-772-1213
- TTY 1-800-325-0778
- Hours Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time; automated phone services 24 hours a day
- Languages Spanish and other-language pages at ssa.gov/es and ssa.gov/multilanguage
- Website ssa.gov
- Online Sign in to or create a my Social Security account (benefit letters, SSA-1099, direct deposit, address change, Statement)
Waits are usually shorter in the morning and later in the week and month. The automated line, open 24 hours, can send a benefit letter, a replacement SSA-1099 or Medicare card, and change your address or phone. Find a local office at ssa.gov/locator.
Checked on www.ssa.gov
1-800-MEDICARE
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Call about Medicare coverage, claims, bills, plan choices and enrollment, drug plans, and to report suspected Medicare fraud or file complaints.
- Phone 1-800-633-4227 (1-800-MEDICARE)
- TTY 1-877-486-2048
- Hours 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except some federal holidays); live chat same hours
- Languages Ask for an interpreter (medicare.gov/about-us/other-languages)
- Website medicare.gov
- Online Live chat with Medicare
This is also how to reach the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman: if your plan or 1-800-MEDICARE has not solved a problem, ask the representative to send your complaint to the Ombudsman. Drug and Medicare Advantage plan complaints can also be filed online at medicare.gov/my/medicare-complaint.
Checked on www.medicare.gov
Medicare quality help line (QIO)
Commence Health
Appeal if you think a hospital, nursing home or other Medicare provider is ending your care too soon, or complain about the quality of care.
- Phone 1-888-396-4646
- Website commencehealthqio.cms.gov
- Email [email protected]
Checked on www.commencehealthqio.cms.gov
Eldercare Locator
U.S. Administration for Community Living (run by USAging)
Find local help for older adults and caregivers: Area Agency on Aging, meals, transportation, in-home care, caregiver support, legal help and more.
- Phone 1-800-677-1116
- TTY 711
- Hours Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern
- Languages Spanish-speaking specialist by phone; interpretation in 150 languages during business hours
- Website eldercare.acl.gov
- Email [email protected]
TTY users: call 711 and ask the relay operator to connect you to 1-800-677-1116.
Checked on eldercare.acl.gov
National Elder Fraud Hotline
U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime
For people 60+ (or family) who lost money or were targeted by fraud; case managers help you report it and connect to resources.
- Phone 1-833-372-8311 (1-833-FRAUD-11)
- Hours Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern
- Website justice.gov/elderjustice/find-help-or-report-abuse
- Online Elder Justice locator for state and local resources
Checked on www.justice.gov
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (funded by SAMHSA)
Call, text or chat any time if you or someone you care about is in emotional distress, a mental health or substance use crisis, or thinking about suicide.
- Phone 988
- Text 988
- Hours 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Languages Spanish: press 2 when calling; Spanish text and chat available; interpretation services offered
- Website 988lifeline.org
- Online Chat with a counselor online
Phone menu: press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line, press 2 for Spanish. Free and confidential. In immediate danger, call 911.
Checked on 988lifeline.org
Page last reviewed: 2026-10-18