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 AUGUST 2023

CHILD CARE: Child Care copayments restart on August 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)

The Division of Social Services has issued emergency cash benefits since March 2020. Households with open TANF and GA cases that are not already receiving the maximum benefit amount will receive the next emergency cash benefit check on or after May 31, 2023.

Eligible households will receive their final issuance of emergency cash benefits in May 2023. Extra emergency cash benefits end and monthly cash benefit amounts will return to normal starting in June 2023.

Emergency Cash Benefit Calculation

TANF Household Size	Maximum TANF Benefit Amount
1	$201
2	$270
3	$338
4	$407
5	$475
6	$544
7	$612
8	$681
9	$750
10	$819

Emergency Cash Benefit Calculation

GA Household Size	Maximum GA Benefit Amount
1	$79
2	$107
3	$144
4	$169
5	$209
6	$239

TANF and GA households that already receive the maximum benefit amount for their TANF or GA household size or that have prorated TANF and GA check are not eligible for the emergency benefit. TANF and GA households that owe an overpayment will continue to have this amount deducted from their benefits, which will affect their emergency cash benefit amount.

All TANF and GA households will receive their regular checks on their normal issuance date.

CHILD CARE

FAMILY CO-PAYMENTS WILL RESTART IN AUGUST 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.

DELAWARE EARLY EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE STABILIZATION FUND

On April 9, 2021, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services and the Delaware Department of Education announced that the Delaware Early Education and Child Care Stabilization fund will provide direct grants to support eligible child care providers across Delaware. Click here for more information.

APPLICATIONS & INTERVIEWS

When possible, the Division of Social Services will interview clients by telephone during Delaware's Public Health Emergency.

Clients may provide a verbal signature over the phone to confirm the information on their food benefit, cash assistance, or child care application or renewal is correct in the following situations:

• The client submits a paper application or renewal without a signature; or
• The client applies for or renews their benefits over the phone with a case worker.

FOOD BENEFIT APPLICATION ASSISTANCE

Delaware's SNAP Outreach Partners can help you apply for or renew your food benefits over the phone or in person. Contact the SNAP Outreach Partners listed below for more information.

Delaware Ecumenical Council on Children and Families

Click here or call (302)225-1040.

Food Bank of Delaware

Click here or call (302)444-8073.

Jewish Family Services

Click here or call (302)478-9411.

Modern Maturity Center

Click here or call (302)734-1200 ext 174.

FOOD BENEFIT RENEWAL INTERVIEWS WILL RESTART IN JULY 2023

Households who are renewing their food benefits will not be required to complete an interview if they meet ALL of the following conditions

• The applicant's food benefit renewal is complete with the required information; and
• The applicant's food benefit renewal is signed by either the case head, an authorized representative for the food benefit case, or a responsible household member included in the food benefit case; and
• The applicant has provided verification of their identity; and
• The applicant has provided verification of all mandatory eligibility factors

If a food benefit applicant does not meet these conditions, a case worker will contact the applicant to request additional information and/or verification.

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

WORK REQUIREMENTS

FOOD BENEFIT WORK REQUIREMENTS WILL RESTART IN JULY 2023

Food benefit work requirements are temporarily suspended. Individuals receiving food benefits may still voluntarily participate with the SNAP Employment and Training program for assistance with job search and employment preparation as long as the SNAP Employment and Training offices remain open.

TANF WORK REQUIREMENTS WILL RESTART IN JUNE 2023

TANF work requirements are temporarily suspended. Individuals receiving TANF may still voluntarily participate with the TANF Employment and Training program for assistance with job search and employment preparation as long as the TANF Employment and Training offices remain open.

CASH ASSISTANCE TIME LIMITS, SANCTIONS, AND EXEMPTIONS

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

TANF time limit rules are temporarily suspended. TANF benefits will not expire and TANF months will not count during this time period.

TANF sanction rules are temporarily suspended. TANF cases will not be sanctioned during this time period.

TANF and GA clients who have a medical exemption set to expire will have their exemption automatically extended during the public health emergency. TANF and GA clients will have to submit a new health assessment form to be eligible for a medical exemption after their current exemption expires or the public health emergency ends.

TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF FOOD BENEFIT ELIGIBILITY FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS

EXPANDED ELIGIBILITY FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS ENDS JUNE 10, 2023

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 temporarily expands food benefit eligibility for college students. 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;
• New Temporary Exemption - Ends June 10: Are eligible for, but not necessarily participating in, a state or federal work study program during the current school year;
• New Temporary Exemption - Ends June 10: Have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $0 for education costs in the current school year.

Students who meet one of the exemptions listed above may receive food benefits if they meet all other eligibility criteria. The two new temporary exemptions will remain in effect until 30 days after the COVID-19 public health emergency is lifted.

MEDICAID

Click here for Medicaid policies on COVID-19.

Delaware's COVID-19 Response

Click here for the latest information on COVID-19