WV PATH (People's Access To Help) is West Virginia's single online portal at wvpath.wv.gov, used to apply for Medicaid, SNAP food benefits, WV CHIP, WV WORKS (TANF), LIEAP energy assistance, Medicare Premium Assistance, and the School Clothing Allowance through one combined application. The portal is run by the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), the agency that replaced the former DHHR after the January 2024 reorganization. You can also call DoHS at 1-877-716-1212 Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, to apply by phone or get help with an existing case.
West Virginia is one of the few states that runs a true unified single-portal benefits system. In neighboring and Southeastern states like Mississippi, Alabama, and South Carolina, applicants usually have to file separate Medicaid and SNAP applications through different agency portals. WV PATH covers cash, food, medical, and energy assistance in one account, which is the single biggest reason WV applications go faster than their regional peers.
General information, not legal or financial advice. Rules can change. Confirm requirements with DoHS at wvpath.wv.gov before applying.
How to Apply Through WV PATH in 2026
The portal handles Medicaid, WV CHIP, SNAP, WV WORKS, LIEAP, and Medicare Premium Assistance in one combined application. Here is the seven-step flow exactly as it appears in 2026.
1. Create your WV PATH account at wvpath.wv.gov
Go to wvpath.wv.gov and click "Create Account." You need a working email, a phone number, and a username and password. The account stores your application in progress, lets you upload documents, and is where you check status, report changes, and renew benefits later. If you applied before and forgot your password, use the password-reset link rather than creating a new account, which can fragment your case record.
2. Run the Benefits Finder screening (optional but recommended)
WV PATH has a built-in screening tool at wvpath.wv.gov/benefitsfinderWV that estimates which programs you may qualify for before you commit to a full application. It takes about five minutes and asks only for household size, income range, and a few categorical questions. If you want a faster cross-program check that also covers ACA subsidies, you can check your eligibility for West Virginia benefits in 2 minutes before opening the WV PATH application.
3. Select the programs you want to apply for
Choose any combination of Medicaid, WV CHIP, SNAP, WV WORKS, LIEAP, and Medicare Premium Assistance. Selecting more than one program does not slow the application down much. The portal asks the union of what each program needs and DoHS determines eligibility for each one separately. If you are unsure whether you qualify, select every program that might apply.
4. Complete the household and income sections
List everyone who lives with you, including non-applicants, with date of birth, Social Security number (if they have one), and relationship to you. Then enter every income source: wages, self-employment, Social Security, SSI, pensions, child support, unemployment, VA, rental income. Use gross amounts, not take-home pay. Mis-stating household size or income is the single most common reason WV PATH applications get delayed or denied.
5. Upload required documents
The portal accepts PDFs and phone photos. Upload proof of identity, the last 30 days of income, proof of West Virginia residency, and any program-specific documents in the checklist below. Submitting documents in the same session reduces the chance DoHS pauses your case waiting for paperwork. The document upload page is also where you respond to later verification requests.
6. Submit and track your application
Review every section before clicking submit. Save the confirmation number. From here, you log back into wvpath.wv.gov any time to check status, see what DoHS still needs, and read decision notices. The portal can send text or email alerts if you opt in.
7. Complete any phone interview
SNAP always requires an interview, usually by phone, within about 20 days of submission. Medicaid does not require an interview in most non-disability cases. DoHS calls from a 304 or 877 number. If you miss the call, call 1-877-716-1212 back quickly or the case can be denied for "failure to interview." Expedited SNAP cases (under $150 monthly gross income and under $100 in cash) get an interview within 7 days.
2026 West Virginia Income Limits by Category
WV runs an expansion-state Medicaid program, so adults qualify by income alone, plus separate categorical pathways for pregnant women, children, and CHIP. SNAP uses the federal floor of 130% FPL gross and 100% FPL net. WV WORKS uses its own restrictive cash-assistance income tests. The 2026 numbers below come from the HHS poverty guidelines published in January 2026.
| Household Size | Adult Medicaid (138% FPL, monthly) | Pregnant Women Medicaid (185% FPL, monthly) | WV CHIP Ceiling (300% FPL, monthly) | SNAP Gross (130% FPL, monthly) | SNAP Net (100% FPL, monthly) |
|---|
| 1 | $1,832 | $2,461 | $3,990 | $1,729 | $1,330 |
| 2 | $2,488 | $3,343 | $5,410 | $2,344 | $1,803 |
| 3 | $3,140 | $4,212 | $6,830 | $2,960 | $2,277 |
| 4 | $3,795 | $5,089 | $8,250 | $3,575 | $2,750 |
| 5 | $4,452 | $5,968 | $9,675 | $4,190 | $3,223 |
| 6 | $5,108 | $6,851 | $11,095 | $4,806 | $3,697 |
| 7 | $5,764 | $7,729 | $12,515 | $5,421 | $4,170 |
| 8 | $6,419 | $8,608 | $13,935 | $6,037 | $4,643 |
| Each additional | +$657 | +$880 | +$1,420 | +$615 | +$473 |
WV CHIP runs up to 300% FPL. That is one of the highest CHIP ceilings in the country. A family of four with up to $8,250 per month (about $99,000 per year) can still get coverage for their children. Children under age 1 qualify for Medicaid up to roughly 163% FPL; ages 1 to 5 up to 146% FPL; ages 6 to 18 up to 138% FPL. Above the Medicaid line and up to 300% FPL, kids move to WV CHIP automatically. The portal sorts each child into the right program. You can check your eligibility for West Virginia benefits in 2 minutes before starting a full application.
What's Different About West Virginia in 2026
WV runs its eligibility system through PATH, but several state-specific policy choices change how the portal behaves and what shows up in the determination notice.
- Medicaid expansion since 2014. WV expanded Medicaid under the ACA in January 2014, covering adults ages 19 to 64 up to 138% FPL. About 1 in 4 West Virginians is enrolled in Medicaid or WV CHIP. Adults without children qualify by income alone, no work requirement (other than the federal ABAWD rules below).
- WV PATH is a unified single portal. Unlike most Southeastern states, WV uses one portal for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, CHIP, LIEAP, and Medicare Premium Assistance. That is a real workflow advantage. In Mississippi or Alabama, you file Medicaid through one agency portal and SNAP through another. WV PATH is one login, one application, one case file.
- DHHR became three agencies in January 2024. The old Department of Health and Human Resources was split by HB 2006 into the Department of Health (DH), the Department of Health Facilities (DHF), and the Department of Human Services (DoHS). DoHS now runs Medicaid, SNAP, WV WORKS, child support, and family assistance. Benefits did not change, but old paperwork still references DHHR, and you may see both names in 2026.
- Mountain Health Trust managed care. Mountain Health Trust is the brand name for WV Medicaid managed care. Most Medicaid members are enrolled in one of four MCOs: Aetna Better Health of West Virginia, Highmark Health Options West Virginia, The Health Plan, and Wellpoint West Virginia. Highmark entered the market in August 2024, replacing UniCare. After Medicaid approval, you have 90 days to pick an MCO; if you do not, DoHS auto-assigns one.
- WV CHIP covers kids up to 300% FPL. That is among the most generous CHIP ceilings nationally. Compare against Florida (215%), Texas (201%), Mississippi (214%). A WV family of four earning $99,000 per year still has covered kids.
- Pregnant women qualify up to 185% FPL. Pregnancy Medicaid covers prenatal care, delivery, and 12 months of postpartum coverage (extended in 2024). Pregnant women above 185% FPL and up to roughly 305% FPL can be covered through WV CHIP's perinatal pathway.
- WV WORKS is WV's TANF brand. Cash assistance for families with children under 19, capped at 60 months of lifetime benefits. A family of three with no income can receive up to about $542 per month. Income tests are much tighter than Medicaid or SNAP.
- OBBB raised SNAP work requirements through age 64. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4, 2025, expanded ABAWD work requirements from ages 18 to 54 up to ages 18 to 64. WV is implementing the expansion in 2026. Able-bodied adults without dependents in covered areas must work or train 20 hours per week or lose SNAP after 3 months in any 36-month period.
- SNAP soda restriction beginning January 1, 2026. WV received federal approval to disallow SNAP purchases of soda from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027. The benefit amount does not change, only what you can buy.
Documents You Need Before You Start
Have these ready in PDF or phone-photo form before you log in. Missing documents are the single most common cause of WV PATH application delays in 2026.
- Photo ID for every adult applicant. West Virginia driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Confirms identity for Medicaid, SNAP, and WV WORKS.
- Social Security numbers for everyone applying. Children applying for Medicaid or WV CHIP need SSNs too. Non-applicants in the household do not.
- Proof of West Virginia residency. Utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government letter dated within the last 60 days.
- Income verification for the last 30 days. Pay stubs from every job, or an employer letter on letterhead stating gross pay and hours. Self-employed applicants need a profit-and-loss statement, last year's tax return, or 90 days of bank statements.
- Other income proof. Social Security or SSI award letters, pension statements, unemployment determination letters, child support orders, VA award letters.
- Proof of citizenship or immigration status. US birth certificate, passport, naturalization certificate, or USCIS document. Lawfully present non-citizens can qualify for some programs; mixed-status households are normal.
- Proof of pregnancy (if applying for pregnancy Medicaid). A note from a healthcare provider confirming pregnancy and due date.
- Childcare receipts. Used to calculate SNAP deductions. Even informal arrangements count if you have proof of payment.
- Housing expense documentation. Lease, rent receipts, mortgage statement, property tax bill, and current utility bills. Used for the SNAP shelter deduction, which often raises benefit amounts substantially.
- Medical expense receipts (for elderly or disabled household members). Out-of-pocket medical costs over $35 per month can be deducted from SNAP income.
You do not need every document to start the application. You do need to upload or deliver them within the window DoHS gives you (usually 10 days from request) or the case will be denied.
What Happens After You Apply
Once you click submit, the case enters the DoHS eligibility system and gets a case number tied to your WV PATH account. Standard processing is up to 45 days for Medicaid and 30 days for SNAP from the application date. Expedited SNAP (under $150 monthly gross income and under $100 in cash) must be processed within 7 days. Pregnant women often get faster Medicaid decisions because of the prenatal care window.
A SNAP interview call comes within about 20 days, or within 7 days for expedited SNAP. Medicaid does not require an interview in most non-disability cases. Watch your WV PATH inbox and physical mail for verification requests; you usually have 10 days to respond before the case is denied for "failure to provide."
Once approved, SNAP benefits load onto a Mountain State EBT card mailed to your address. Medicaid approval comes with an MCO selection packet for Mountain Health Trust. You have 90 days to choose between Aetna Better Health, Highmark Health Options, The Health Plan, or Wellpoint. Miss the deadline and DoHS auto-assigns you. Medicaid coverage can be retroactive up to 3 months before the application date if you were eligible then, which can help pay outstanding medical bills.
If you are denied, the notice tells you why and how to appeal. You have 90 days from the notice date to request a fair hearing through your WV PATH account, by calling 1-877-716-1212, or by mailing the request to the address on the notice. If you appeal within 13 days, benefits continue during the appeal. Hearings are conducted by phone with an independent DoHS Board of Review officer.
To check status, log into wvpath.wv.gov. The dashboard shows case status, missing documents, the next renewal date, and your benefit amount. You can also call 1-877-716-1212, though wait times can be long around the first of the month.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does WV PATH approval take in 2026?
Standard processing is up to 45 days for Medicaid and 30 days for SNAP from the date DoHS receives the application. Expedited SNAP cases (under $150 monthly gross income and less than $100 in cash) must be processed within 7 days. Pregnant women often receive faster Medicaid decisions. Missing documents are the main reason cases take longer than the standard window.
How does WV PATH compare to other state benefit portals?
WV PATH is one of the few true unified single-portal systems in the country. Most Southeastern states (Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina) require separate applications through different agency portals for Medicaid and SNAP. WV PATH handles Medicaid, SNAP, WV CHIP, WV WORKS, LIEAP, and Medicare Premium Assistance in one application, one account, one case file. That cuts application time roughly in half compared to two-portal states.
Can I apply for multiple programs in one WV PATH application?
Yes. The portal handles a combined application for Medicaid, WV CHIP, SNAP, WV WORKS, LIEAP, and Medicare Premium Assistance in one session. Selecting more than one program does not lengthen the application much because most underlying questions overlap, and DoHS determines eligibility for each program separately.
Did West Virginia DHHR really split? Who runs Medicaid now?
Yes. On January 1, 2024, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) was reorganized under HB 2006 into three departments: Department of Health (DH), Department of Health Facilities (DHF), and Department of Human Services (DoHS). DoHS now runs Medicaid, SNAP, WV CHIP, WV WORKS, and child support. WV PATH did not change. You may still see DHHR named on older notices and forms in 2026.
What if I'm denied? How do I appeal a WV PATH decision?
You have 90 days from the denial notice date to request a fair hearing. Request it through your WV PATH account, by calling 1-877-716-1212, or by mailing the request to the address on the denial notice. If you appeal within 13 days, your benefits continue while the appeal is pending. Fair hearings are decided by independent DoHS Board of Review officers, usually by phone.
Do I have to pick a Mountain Health Trust MCO after Medicaid approval?
Yes, but you have 90 days. After Medicaid approval, DoHS sends a Mountain Health Trust enrollment packet listing the four MCOs: Aetna Better Health of West Virginia, Highmark Health Options West Virginia, The Health Plan, and Wellpoint West Virginia. Compare provider networks (your doctor, your pharmacy, your nearest hospital) before choosing. If you do not pick within 90 days, DoHS auto-assigns you. You can switch plans during your first 90 days of enrollment and during annual open enrollment.
Check Your Eligibility Before You Apply
West Virginia runs an expansion-state Medicaid program with WV CHIP up to 300% FPL, but the rules differ a lot by category. Pregnant women, children, parents, expansion adults, and seniors all hit different income lines, and SNAP uses a separate test even though both run through the same portal.
Check your eligibility for West Virginia benefits in 2 minutes with Benefits USA's free screener. It checks Medicaid, WV CHIP, SNAP, WV WORKS, ACA subsidies, and other programs at the same time, and links you to the right application for each one.
For situation-specific questions (a child with a disability, pending immigration status, recent loss of coverage), call DoHS at 1-877-716-1212 or visit a local DoHS office for one-on-one help.
Check Your Eligibility →
