Where do I start finding senior help in Virginia Beach, VA?

Start with three front doors. Virginia 211 (dial 2-1-1) is the free 24/7 line that routes you to rent, utility, food, and medical help. Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia at 757-461-9481 is the Hampton Roads Area Agency on Aging for Medicare counseling, home-delivered meals, rides, and caregiver support. For the city's senior real estate tax exemption and freeze, the Commissioner of the Revenue's tax relief line is 757-385-4385.

What property tax relief is available to seniors in Virginia Beach?

The city's program, through the Commissioner of the Revenue (757-385-4385), offers a real estate tax exemption on a sliding scale for total household income up to $87,419, or a tax freeze for income up to $114,062, with total assets not over $350,000 excluding the home and up to 10 acres. You must be 65 or older or totally and permanently disabled, and first-time applicants apply by appointment February 1 through June 30. Ignore the lower income caps you may see on third-party websites; those are stale. There is also a separate vehicle personal property relief program and a 100 percent exemption for totally disabled veterans.

How do older adults in Virginia Beach get meals?

Call Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia at 757-461-9481 to be screened for home-delivered meals. For groceries now, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore (757-627-6599) has a pantry locator at foodbankonline.org, or dial 211. SNAP applications run through CommonHelp at 1-855-635-4370 or Virginia Beach Human Services at 757-385-4306.

City of Virginia Beach, VA Senior Help Directory: Hampton Roads Programs for Seniors and Families (2026)

Free, plain-English help for seniors and families in the City of Virginia Beach, VA. Education, not advice. Verify before you rely on it.

Start here (works anywhere)

211 (dial 2-1-1), Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116, BenefitsCheckUp.org, Medicare 1-800-633-4227, Social Security 1-800-772-1213, VA 1-800-827-1000, Alzheimer's 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900, National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-372-8311, Crisis Lifeline 988

Note: Virginia Beach is an independent city, not part of a county, so it runs its own tax office, social services, and programs.

Three local front doors: Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia (SSSEVA), the Area Agency on Aging for Virginia Beach and South Hampton Roads, at 757-461-9481 | Virginia Beach Department of Human Services Customer Contact Center at 757-385-4306 for benefits, food, and energy help (Energy Assistance line 757-385-6700) | Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue, Taxpayer Assistance, at 757-385-4385 for senior real estate tax relief

Property tax relief (apply with the Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue, 757-385-4385)

Virginia's senior property-tax break is set locally by each city or county under state law, so the rules below are Virginia Beach's own. City Council has appointed the Commissioner of the Revenue to run the tax relief programs for elderly and disabled residents. Applications are taken in the Commissioner of the Revenue's office at the Municipal Center, Building 1, by appointment only, from February 1 through June 30. The percentage of real estate tax exemption is figured on a sliding scale by income.

Who qualifies: a senior must be at least 65 years old, or a person who is totally and permanently disabled (no age limit). The home must be the applicant's residence (living in a convalescent facility while owning the Virginia Beach home is allowed). Up to $10,000 of a disabled applicant's income, and up to $10,000 of the income of each additional relative living in the home, can be excluded from the income test.
Real estate tax exemption income limit: annual household income must not exceed $87,419.
Real estate tax freeze income limit: annual household income must not exceed $114,062 (a "freeze" locks the tax at a set dollar amount rather than exempting part of it).
Asset test: total assets must not exceed $350,000, not counting the value of the home and up to 10 acres of the land it sits on.
Vehicle (car tax) relief: a separate program can cut the personal property tax on one vehicle to almost nothing for a qualifying owner or spouse who is 65+ or permanently and totally disabled, but the limits are much tighter (combined income not over $29,500 and net worth not over $70,000, excluding the home and up to one acre). Ask the Commissioner of the Revenue.
Statewide disabled-veteran exemption: separately from the senior program, Virginia gives a 100% real estate tax exemption on the primary residence of a veteran with a 100% service-connected, permanent and total disability rating (and to some surviving spouses), with no income limit. The Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue also handles this and the surviving-spouse programs.
The one move: call the Commissioner of the Revenue's Taxpayer Assistance line at 757-385-4385 (or email Req@vbgov.com) to confirm this year's income and asset limits, schedule your February-to-June appointment, and learn which documents to bring.

Food

Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia (SSSEVA) is the primary Meals on Wheels / Home Delivered Meals provider for the Hampton Roads area, bringing heart-healthy, dietitian-approved meals to homebound older adults. To ask about qualifying in Virginia Beach, call SSSEVA at 757-461-9481.
The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore is the regional food bank serving Virginia Beach and the surrounding cities (main office 800 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk; 757-627-6599). Use its pantry locator at foodbankonline.org to find the closest food pantry or distribution.
SNAP (food stamps) is based on income, not age. Apply online at the Virginia benefits portal CommonHelp (commonhelp.virginia.gov), by phone at 1-855-635-4370, or through the Virginia Beach Department of Human Services (Customer Contact Center 757-385-4306; office at 3432 Virginia Beach Blvd).
To find the closest pantry or hot-meal site right now, dial 211.

Energy and utility help

The Virginia Energy Assistance Program (Fuel, Cooling, and Crisis assistance) is delivered locally by the Virginia Beach Department of Human Services. Apply online at CommonHelp (commonhelp.virginia.gov), by phone at 1-855-635-4370, or through the Department of Human Services Energy Assistance line at 757-385-6700 (or drop off a paper application at 3432 Virginia Beach Blvd). Fuel Assistance generally opens in mid-October; each part has its own yearly window.
For emergency help with a past-due electric or gas bill, dial 211 to find a local crisis fund or church ministry, and ask about Dominion Energy's EnergyShare fund for households facing financial hardship (it is not income-based, and there is extra help for those 60 and older).

Medicare, Medicaid, prescriptions

Virginia's SHIP is VICAP (the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program): free, unbiased, confidential help with Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Part D drug plans, Medigap, enrollment, appeals, and fraud, delivered locally through Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia. Call SSSEVA at 757-461-9481 to reach local VICAP counseling, or the statewide VICAP line at 1-800-552-3402. Start here before any Medicare decision.
Medicaid in Virginia is called Cardinal Care and includes long-term-care coverage and the programs that help pay Medicare costs. Apply online at CommonHelp (commonhelp.virginia.gov), by phone through Cover Virginia at 1-855-242-8282, or through the Virginia Beach Department of Human Services (757-385-4306).
Medicare Savings Programs (help paying Part A and B premiums) and Extra Help / the Low-Income Subsidy (lower Part D drug costs) are screened and applied for through VICAP (SSSEVA, 757-461-9481), Social Security (1-800-772-1213), and CommonHelp.
For medications, ask VICAP about Extra Help, and use BenefitsCheckUp.org to find manufacturer and nonprofit patient-assistance programs for specific drugs. Virginia does not run a general statewide senior drug program.

Home repair and safety

The Virginia Beach Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation runs housing rehabilitation and repair help for income-eligible owners; ask what home-repair or accessibility help is currently open, and about any wait list. Dial 211 or ask SSSEVA (757-461-9481) for a referral.
The City of Virginia Beach Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program (Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation, 757-385-5750) makes grants of up to $30,000 for health, safety, and accessibility repairs for homeowners with income at or below 80 percent of area median.
Habitat for Humanity South Hampton Roads runs a Home Repairs Program for qualifying older homeowners (shrhabitat.org/homerepairs), and 211 or the SSSEVA line can refer you to other ramp and safety-repair help in Hampton Roads.

Rent, housing, emergency cash

Dial 211 for the fastest route to temporary rent and utility help; it will point you to the local nonprofit, ministry, or city program with money available now.
The Virginia Beach Department of Human Services administers benefits and can screen you for General Relief, Auxiliary Grants (for certain older or disabled adults in assisted living), and emergency help; call the Customer Contact Center at 757-385-4306.
For Medicaid, SNAP, and cash assistance (TANF), apply through CommonHelp (commonhelp.virginia.gov), 1-855-635-4370, or the Virginia Beach Department of Human Services.

Transportation

Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) Paratransit is the ADA shared-ride, door-to-door service for people who cannot use the regular bus or light rail because of a disability. You must be certified as eligible first: call ADARIDE at 1-877-232-7433 (1-877-ADA-RIDE) or apply at adaride.com. Once approved, schedule rides through the Paratransit call center at 757-455-8010; the fare is $3.50 per trip, and approved riders also ride HRT fixed-route bus, light rail, and ferry free.
Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia runs I-Ride, senior transportation to medical appointments, senior centers, and errands. Call SSSEVA at 757-461-9481 to ask what is available in Virginia Beach.
Dial 211 to find volunteer driver networks and other local ride help for older adults.

Legal help

The Virginia Statewide Senior Legal Helpline, administered by the Virginia Poverty Law Center, gives free legal information, advice, and referral to any Virginian age 60 or older on issues like long-term care, public benefits (Medicaid, Medicare, SSI, Social Security), guardianship and alternatives, financial exploitation, abuse and neglect, and consumer problems. Call 1-844-802-5910.
The Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (LASEVA) provides free civil legal help to eligible lower-income, older, and disabled residents of Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads, and runs a Wills, Power of Attorney, and Advance Medical Directive workshop for seniors. Start with the Community Support Team intake at 757-827-5078 or toll-free 1-888-868-1072; the Virginia Beach office is at 291 Independence Boulevard, Pembroke Four, Suite 532.
Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia (757-461-9481) can also connect older adults to free legal counseling and benefits help through the aging network.

Caregiver support

Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia runs a Family Caregiver Support Program: information and one-on-one support, caregiver education, and respite (a break for the caregiver) for people caring for an adult 60 or older, or for a person of any age with dementia. Reach it at 757-461-9481.
The Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline (1-800-272-3900) is there any hour for dementia caregiving questions, and 211 can point you to local support groups.

Staying at home instead of a nursing home

PACE (the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) wraps all medical care, therapy, an adult day center, home care, transportation, and prescriptions into one program for people 55 and older who meet a nursing-home level of care but can live at home with help. Sentara PACE serves Virginia Beach (along with Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Surry, Isle of Wight, and the City of Franklin), with day centers at Sentara PACE Norfolk and Sentara PACE Churchland. Ask about enrollment at the Sentara PACE Norfolk center (5900 E. Virginia Beach Boulevard, Suite 260) at 757-252-7800, or through Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia (757-461-9481), Virginia Medicaid / DMAS, or the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116).
Virginia Medicaid also pays for in-home care (personal care, adult day care, respite, and other supports) through its home and community-based services waiver for people who meet a nursing-home level of care but can live safely at home. Apply for Medicaid through CommonHelp (commonhelp.virginia.gov) or Cover Virginia (1-855-242-8282), and ask SSSEVA (757-461-9481) or the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) how to start a screening.
Home-delivered meals, in-home help, and paratransit rides also help an older adult stay in the home longer.

Frequently asked questions

Mom is 66 in Virginia Beach on a fixed income. Can she lower her property taxes? Likely yes. The city gives real estate tax relief to owners 65 and older (or totally and permanently disabled) on a sliding scale by income, with an exemption available when household income is at or under $87,419, or a tax freeze up to $114,062, as long as total assets (not counting the home and up to 10 acres) stay under $350,000. Applications are by appointment February 1 to June 30. Call the Commissioner of the Revenue at 757-385-4385 to confirm this year's limits and schedule.

Dad is homebound in Virginia Beach and can't cook anymore. How do we get him meals? Call Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia at 757-461-9481 about Meals on Wheels / Home Delivered Meals for homebound older adults. If he needs food sooner, use the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia pantry locator at foodbankonline.org, or dial 211 to find the nearest pantry.

My parent can't drive and needs rides to the doctor. What is available? If a disability keeps your parent from riding the regular bus or light rail, apply for HRT Paratransit by calling ADARIDE at 1-877-232-7433; the fare is $3.50 per trip. Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia also runs I-Ride senior transportation (757-461-9481), and 211 can find volunteer driver help.

We want to keep Mom at home but her care is getting complex. What pays for in-home care? If she is 55 or older and would otherwise need a nursing home, ask about Sentara PACE, which coordinates all of her medical care, an adult day center, home care, and transportation in one program and serves Virginia Beach. Virginia Medicaid's home and community-based waiver can also bring personal care, adult day care, and respite to her home. Apply for Medicaid at CommonHelp (commonhelp.virginia.gov) or Cover Virginia (1-855-242-8282), and call Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia at 757-461-9481 to start a screening.

Sources

Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue, Senior and Disabled Tax Relief (real estate exemption income cap $87,419; freeze income cap $114,062; total assets not over $350,000 excluding home and up to 10 acres; age 65+ or totally and permanently disabled, $10,000 exclusions for disabled-applicant and live-in-relative income; apply by appointment Feb 1 to June 30 at Municipal Center Building 1; vehicle relief income cap $29,500 and net-worth cap $70,000; Taxpayer Assistance 757-385-4385, main line 757-385-4251, Req@vbgov.com): https://cor.virginiabeach.gov/tax-relief/senior-disabled and https://cor.virginiabeach.gov/tax-relief
Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue, Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses real estate tax relief: https://cor.virginiabeach.gov/tax-relief
Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia (SSSEVA), Area Agency on Aging for South Hampton Roads (Meals on Wheels, I-Ride transportation, caregiver support, VICAP; 757-461-9481; VA Beach office 1385 Fordham Drive): https://www.ssseva.org/
Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore (regional food bank; 800 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk; 757-627-6599; pantry locator): https://foodbankonline.org/ and https://foodbankonline.org/resources/find-a-food-pantry/
Virginia Beach Department of Human Services, Financial Assistance, SNAP, and Energy Assistance (Customer Contact Center 757-385-4306; Energy Assistance 757-385-6700; office 3432 Virginia Beach Blvd; apply via CommonHelp or 1-855-635-4370): https://hs.virginiabeach.gov/financial-assistance and https://hs.virginiabeach.gov/financial-assistance/energy-assistance
Cardinal Care Medicaid via CommonHelp and Cover Virginia (1-855-242-8282): https://commonhelp.virginia.gov/ and https://coverva.dmas.virginia.gov/
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) Paratransit / ADARIDE (eligibility 1-877-232-7433 / adaride.com; call center 757-455-8010; fare $3.50): https://gohrt.com/paratransit/
Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP), statewide 1-800-552-3402, local via SSSEVA: https://www.dars.virginia.gov/aging/home-community/medicare-counseling/
Virginia Statewide Senior Legal Helpline (Virginia Poverty Law Center; age 60+; 1-844-802-5910): https://selfhelp.vacourts.gov/node/33/statewide-senior-legal-helpline
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (LASEVA), Virginia Beach office 291 Independence Boulevard, Pembroke Four Suite 532 (intake 757-827-5078; toll-free 1-888-868-1072): https://laseva.org/
Sentara PACE, serving Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Surry, Isle of Wight, and Franklin (55+, nursing-home eligible; Norfolk center 757-252-7800, Churchland center 757-392-2650); Virginia DMAS PACE overview: https://www.sentara.com/medicalservices/seniors/services/pace and https://www.dmas.virginia.gov/for-providers/benefits-services-for-providers/long-term-care/programs-and-initiatives/program-of-all-inclusive-care/
Verified July 5, 2026.

Verified July 5, 2026. Program names, phone numbers, income limits, and deadlines change. Confirm directly with each program before you rely on it.

Ryan Riggins, NC Real Estate License #361546, eXp Realty. Riggins Strategic Solutions is an education and media company, not a real estate sales business. Not financial, tax, medical, or legal advice. Programs and contacts change, confirm directly before relying on them.