DHSS Press Release

DELAWARE WILL ISSUE MONTHLY EMERGENCY BENEFITS ON JAN. 26 TO ALL SNAP HOUSEHOLDS AND TO ELIGIBLE TANF AND GENERAL ASSISTANCE HOUSEHOLDS

NEW CASTLE (Jan. 24, 2022) - The Delaware Division of Social Services will issue emergency benefits for January to eligible households as part of the state's ongoing response to the COVID-19 public health crisis.

Benefits will be issued as part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and two cash assistance programs - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and General Assistance (GA). The SNAP emergency food benefit will be issued Wednesday, Jan. 26, and should be available on recipients' Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards Thursday, Jan. 27. TANF and GA households should receive an emergency cash benefit check on or after Wednesday. Jan. 26.

All households with open SNAP cases will receive at least $95 in emergency food benefits, to be issued as follows:

• SNAP households receiving the maximum food benefit amount for their household size or a prorated initial benefit will receive $95 in emergency food benefits.
• SNAP households with a calculated emergency food benefit amount less than $95 will have their emergency benefit increased to $95.
• SNAP households with a calculated emergency benefit amount of $95 or more will continue to receive the calculated emergency benefit amount to increase the household's monthly benefit up to the maximum benefit amount for their household size.

The emergency assistance for TANF and GA families will increase a household's monthly benefit for each program up to the maximum benefit amount for their household size. Households that already receive the maximum TANF or GA benefit amount or that have a prorated benefit in the month of January are not eligible for the September emergency cash funds.

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) has issued emergency benefits each month to eligible households as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, which was signed into law in March 2020.

"The Omicron surge has impacted our state significantly over the last several weeks, but many vulnerable individuals and families have been especially hard hit," DHSS Secretary Molly Magarik said. "For Delawareans who don't have sick time and were forced to stay home from work because of positive COVID-19 tests or close contacts in their households, we know these increased benefits offer much-needed assistance. We are grateful to the federal government and Delaware's Congressional Delegation for their continued support in providing these crucial benefits."

How the monthly emergency benefit is calculated: A household's monthly emergency benefit equals the current maximum benefit amount for the household size minus the household's current monthly benefit amount. For example, based on current USDA limits for SNAP benefits, if a household of one gets $100 in regular monthly benefits, that household will receive $150 in emergency benefits ($250 maximum benefit minus $100 monthly benefit).

Here are the current maximum monthly benefit amounts per household size for SNAP, TANF, and General Assistance:

Emergency SNAP Benefits

Number in SNAP Household	Maximum Benefit Amount New increased amount effective 10/2021
1	$250
2	$459
3	$658
4	$835
5	$992
6	$1,190
7	$1,316
8	$1,504
Each additional person	$188

An estimated 57,086 Delaware households will receive the emergency SNAP allotment in January, totaling about $10.9 million in emergency food benefits for the month.

Emergency cash benefits
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

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

General Assistance (GA)

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

An estimated 147 households will be eligible to receive emergency cash assistance benefits in January, totaling about $20,570 in emergency benefits for the month.

In addition to the emergency benefits, households will receive their regular benefits for January on the usual issuance dates.

For more information about DSS's benefit programs in response to the pandemic, go to division's webpage. To apply for benefits, go to Delaware ASSIST or call 1-866-843-7212. To reduce the potential spread of COVID-19, clients are asked to contact the Division of Social Services by phone or online. If clients do need an in-person appointment, they are reminded that face masks are required for all Delawareans indoors in public.

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 Government

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