The means test in Virginia: median income
The Virginia median income table and the first step of the means test.
Checked against official sources: October 25, 2026.
Short answer
Official medians for Virginia from the U.S. Trustee Program. Below the median for your household size means you pass the first step.
- 1 person
- $78,491
- 2 people
- $101,171
- 3 people
- $123,159
- 4 people
- $144,826
- Each extra person
- +$11,100
- Medians apply to cases filed on or after
- April 1, 2026
Are you below the Virginia median?
Official Form 122A-1 compares your household's yearly income with the median income in Virginia. Here are the official medians:
- 1 person$78,491
- 2 people$101,171
- 3 people$123,159
- 4 people$144,826
- Each extra person+$11,100
Applies to cases filed on or after April 1, 2026. 1 = one earner; 2, 3, 4 = people in the household; add = amount added for each person over 4
The bankruptcy courts in Virginia
You file in the district where you lived (your domicile) for most of the last 180 days. Northern Virginia, Richmond and Hampton Roads are in the Eastern District; the rest of the state is in the Western District (city/town lookup: https://www.vawb.uscourts.gov/?q=counties).
Law: 28 U.S.C. 1408
Divisions: Alexandria, Richmond, Norfolk, Newport News
Clerk's phone: Alexandria 703-258-1200; Richmond 804-916-2400; Norfolk and Newport News 757-222-7500
Divisions: Roanoke, Lynchburg, Harrisonburg (hearings also in Abingdon, Charlottesville and Danville)
Clerk's phone: Roanoke and Lynchburg 540-857-2391; Harrisonburg 540-434-8327
Virginia exemptions in brief
In Virginia you use state exemptions only (exemptions are the property the law lets you keep).
Home (homestead): up to $50,000 in real or personal property used as the principal residence of you or your dependents.
Car or other vehicle: Up to $10,000 total in motor vehicles you own (a perfected lien on the vehicle comes first).
Wildcard (any property): $5,000 in any real or personal property, including money (or $10,000 if you are 65 or older), plus $500 for each dependent you support.
In nearby states
- West Virginia: 1 person $63,908 · 2 people $68,592 · 3 people $92,050 · 4 people $93,672
- District of Columbia: 1 person $85,391 · 2 people $161,397 · 3 people $161,397 · 4 people $166,598
- North Carolina: 1 person $67,117 · 2 people $84,384 · 3 people $101,535 · 4 people $116,737
- Maryland: 1 person $86,928 · 2 people $114,611 · 3 people $135,949 · 4 people $166,173
- Delaware: 1 person $69,515 · 2 people $94,877 · 3 people $111,273 · 4 people $132,244
- Pennsylvania: 1 person $72,230 · 2 people $87,534 · 3 people $110,151 · 4 people $135,862
What to do now in Virginia
Total your income
Add every source of household income for the last 6 months.
Do the official first step
The court uses Official Form 122A-1.
If you are above the median
The second step subtracts allowed expenses on Official Form 122A-2.
File in your court
The forms are filed with Eastern District and Western District.
Where to get free help in Virginia
Questions about the means test in Virginia
Can I keep my house in bankruptcy in Virginia?
Up to $50,000 in real or personal property used as the principal residence of you or your dependents. This is separate from the $5,000 'householder' exemption (see wildcard), which can also be applied to your home.
How do I find my bankruptcy court in Virginia?
You file in the district where you lived (your domicile) for most of the last 180 days. Northern Virginia, Richmond and Hampton Roads are in the Eastern District; the rest of the state is in the Western District (city/town lookup: https://www.vawb.uscourts.gov/?q=counties).
What income passes the means test in Virginia?
For cases filed on or after April 1, 2026: 1 person: $78,491; 2 people: $101,171; 3 people: $123,159; 4 people: $144,826; Each extra person: +$11,100.
Where can I get free help with bankruptcy in Virginia?
Virginia Legal Aid (statewide network of legal aid offices, VirginiaLawHelp.org) and Virginia State Bar - pro bono and legal aid resources for the public (linked by the Eastern District bankruptcy court).