IMPORTANT CHANGES TO BENEFIT PROGRAMS IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19

The Division of Social Services (DSS) has changed the following benefit program rules to help protect the health and well-being of Delawareans during the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. COVID-19 program changes are ending soon because the federal public health emergency expired on May 11, 2023.

PROGRAM CHANGES IN MARCH 2023

SNAP: Emergency Food Benefits end March 1, 2023

PROGRAM CHANGES IN JUNE 2023

CASH ASSISTANCE:

• Emergency Cash Assistance Benefits for TANF and General Assistance end June 1
• Cash Assistance rules restart June 1 for TANF E&T, TANF time limits, TANF sanctions, and medical exemptions

CHILD CARE: Child Care absent day policies return to normal on June 1

SNAP: Food Benefit student eligibility rules return to normal on June 10

PROGRAM CHANGES IN JULY 2023

SNAP:

• Food Benefit renewal interviews restart on July 1
• SNAP time limit rules and work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) restart on July 1

PROGRAM CHANGES IN OCTOBER 2023

CHILD CARE: Child Care copayments restart on OCTOBER 1 (date subject to change)

START PLANNING NOW FOR WHEN COVID-19 ASSISTANCE ENDS

Many extra benefits and services available because of COVID-19 will end in the coming months when the federal public health emergency comes to an end. Delaware offers many FREE social service, health, financial, and employment resources.

• Apply for Health and Social Service Programs: Delaware ASSIST
• Find Help in Your Area: Delaware 211
• Food Assistance: Food Bank of Delaware | WIC Program | Community Food and Nutrition Program
• Emergency Housing and Utility Assistance: Division of State Service Centers
• Housing Resources: Delaware State Housing Authority
• Employment Resources: Delaware Department of Labor | Delaware JobLink
• Financial Coaching: Stand By Me
• Child Care Resources and Referrals: My Child DE
• Mental Health, Substance Abuse, & Crisis Support: Help Is Here DE
• Aging & Disability Resources: Delaware Aging & Disability Resource Center

EMERGENCY FOOD BENEFITS END IN MARCH 2023

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Learn More About This Change

SNAP households received their final emergency food benefit on February 28, 2023. Starting on March 1, 2023, SNAP households will only receive their regular monthly benefit on the normal issuance date. Households will no longer get extra emergency food benefits on their EBT cards at the end of each month.

EMERGENCY CASH BENEFITS END IN JUNE 2023

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) & General Assistance (GA)

TANF and GA households received their final emergency cash benefits on May 31, 2023. Starting on June 1, 2023, TANF and GA households will only receive their regular monthly benefit on the normal issuance date. Households will no longer get extra emergency cash benefit checks at the end of each month.

CHILD CARE

FAMILY CO-PAYMENTS WILL RESTART IN OCTOBER 2023 (date subject to change)

Families are not required to pay their Purchase of Care monthly co-payment to their child care provider. The Division of Social Services has waived co-payments for families since April 2020.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Purchase of Care Unit at (302)255-9670.

RENEWAL INTERVIEWS FOR FOOD BENEFITS RESTART JULY 2023

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Starting on July 1, 2023, all SNAP households who are renewing their food benefits will be required to complete a renewal interview.

WORK REQUIREMENTS

The Division of Social Services' Employment and Training programs can help you gain job skills, find employment, and locate education and training courses. To begin participating with the TANF or SNAP Employment and Training program, please contact your local Division of Social Services office for more information.

FOOD BENEFIT WORK REQUIREMENTS WILL RESTART IN JULY 2023

Starting on July 1, 2023, certain Food Benefits clients who do not have an exemption must follow the SNAP Able-bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) work requirements and time limit rules to continue to receive Food Benefits. Clients who are considered ABAWDs can only receive 3 months of Food Benefits in 3 years unless they follow the ABAWD work requirement.

ABAWD WORK REQUIREMENT & TIME LIMIT INFORMATION

Who must follow the ABAWD work requirement?

You must follow the ABAWD Work Requirement if:

• You receive Food Benefits
• You are age 18-49
• You don't have any dependents, and
• You are able to work

What is the ABAWD work requirement?

1. You must spend at least 80 hours each month doing one or a combination of these activities:
   • Working (work can be for pay, for goods or services, unpaid, or as a volunteer)
   • Participating in the DSS SNAP Employment and Training (E"&"T) program
   • Participating in an approved job training or work program OR
2. You must participate in workfare for the number of hours assigned to you each month

What are the Food Benefit time limit rules?

You can only get Food Benefits for 3 months in 3 years if you do not follow the ABAWD Work Requirement.

What are the ABAWD work exemptions?

You do not have to follow the ABAWD work requirement if you have at least one of these exemption reasons and you report it to the Division of Social Services:

• You are younger than age 18;
• You are age 50 or older;
• You are not able to work because of a physical or mental health reason;
• You are pregnant;
• You are living with someone in your house who is younger than age 18;
• You are taking care of a child younger than age 6 or someone who needs help caring for themselves;
• You are already working at least 30 hours a week;
• You are already earning $217.50 or more per week in wages;
• You are receiving unemployment benefits, or you applied for unemployment benefits;
• You are going to school, college, or a training program at least half time;
• You are meeting the work rules for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); OR
• You are participating in a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program.

TANF WORK REQUIREMENTS WILL RESTART IN JUNE 2023

Starting on June 1, 2023, TANF clients who do not have an exemption must follow the TANF work requirements to continue to receive benefits. TANF clients can only receive TANF benefits while working or participating in the TANF Employment and Training program for the required number of hours each week.

TANF WORK REQUIREMENT INFORMATION

What is the TANF work requirement?

You must work or participate in the TANF Employment and Training program for the following number of hours to receive TANF benefits:

• Single parent family with a child under six years old - at least 20 hours per week
• Single parent family with a child over six years old - at least 30 hours per week
• Two parent family - at least 40 hours per week

What are the TANF work exemptions?

You may be excused from the TANF work requirement if one of these exemption reasons applies to your situation and you report it to the Division of Social Services:

• You are a single parent caring for a child under 12 months of age
• You are caring for a disabled spouse or child
• You are medically exempt because of a physical or mental condtion

CASH ASSISTANCE TIME LIMITS, SANCTIONS, AND EXEMPTIONS

CASH ASSISTANCE TIME LIMIT, SANCTION, AND EXEMPTION RULES WILL RESTART IN JUNE 2023

Starting on June 1, 2023:

• TANF months will begin to count again, and TANF clocks will expire for clients at their 36th month.
• TANF sanctions will restart for non-compliance with Employment and Training and Contract of Mutual Responsibility (CMR) requirements.
• TANF and GA clients must have a current, verified disability to receive a medical exemption from Employment and Training rules and work requirements. Clients are no longer medically exempt based on COVID-19.

TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF FOOD BENEFIT ELIGIBILITY FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS

EXPANDED ELIGIBILITY FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS ENDS JUNE 10, 2023

On June 10, 2023, the temporary SNAP student exemptions ended, and student eligibility rules for Food Benefits returned to normal. Students eligible for Food Benefits because of one of the temporary SNAP student exemptions will remain eligible under the COVID-19 student eligibility rules until their next renewal.

Students enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education may be able to get food benefits if they meet one of the following exemptions:

• Are 17 years old or younger, or 50 years old or older;
• Have a physical or mental disability;
• Receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits;
• Are enrolled in a TANF Employment and Training program;
• Work at least 20 hours a week;
• Participate in a state or federal work study program;
• Participate in an on-the-job training program;
• Care for a child under the age of 6;
• Care for a child age 6 to 11 and do not have adequate child care enabling you to attend school and work 20 hours a week or participate in a work study;
• Are a single parent enrolled full-time in college and taking care of a child under 12;
• Are assigned to or placed in a college or other institution of higher education through an approved employment and training program;

MEDICAID

Click here for Medicaid policies on COVID-19.

Delaware's COVID-19 Response

Click here for the latest information on COVID-19