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DHSS Press Release

Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Cell 302-357-7498
Email: jill.fredel@delaware.gov

Date: March 30, 2020
DHSS-03-2020

DELAWARE'S SNAP PROGRAM TO ISSUE EMERGENCY BENEFITS THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE STARTING APRIL 1

Existing clients may receive additional benefits for March 2020 and April 2020

NEW CASTLE (March 30, 2020) - Emergency benefits will be made available to Delaware Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants for the months of March and April as part of a provision set forth by the federal Families First Coronavirus Responses Act of 2020.

Under this federal act - approved by Congress and signed into law March 18 by President Donald Trump - the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) will issue the emergency benefits to any household not already receiving the maximum monthly benefit. SNAP households that already receive the maximum monthly benefit will not receive additional funds.

The emergency benefits will allow the household's monthly allotment to increase to the maximum allotment for a household of that size as follows:

Number in SNAP Household	Maximum Benefit Amount
1	$194
2	$355
3	$509
4	646
5	$768
6	$921
7	$1,018
8	$1,164
Each additional person	$146

The emergency benefits for March will be released Tuesday evening, March 31, and will automatically load to recipients' SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards for use starting Wednesday, April 1.

Emergency benefits for April will be issued April 30 and available May 1. SNAP households will receive their regular April benefits on their usual issuance date.

"These emergency benefits will provide much-needed relief for many Delawareans who are struggling to meet their families' food and nutritional needs because of the devastating economic impact of the coronavirus crisis," said Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). "Along with these new benefits, DHSS will continue to work with our fellow state agencies and community partners to help reduce the number of individuals and families who are worried about going hungry."

Currently, more than 120,000 Delawareans receive SNAP benefits. The average size of a SNAP household in Delaware is 2.04 individuals and the average monthly benefit amount is $233. Individuals seeking to apply for SNAP benefits in Delaware may apply online through https://assist.dhss.delaware.gov/or by phone at 1-866-843-7212.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

DELAWARE'S SNAP PROGRAM TO ISSUE EMERGENCY BENEFITS THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE STARTING APRIL 1

Delaware's Government