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DHSS Press Release



Molly Magarik, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Cell 302-357-7498
Email: Jill.Fredel@delaware.gov

DPH Media Contact:
Mary Fenimore
Email: DPHMedia@Delaware.gov

Date: February 22, 2022
DHSS-2-2022





DELAWARE WILL ISSUE MONTHLY EMERGENCY BENEFITS ON FEB. 24 TO ALL SNAP HOUSEHOLDS AND ELIGIBLE TANF AND GENERAL ASSISTANCE HOUSEHOLDS


NEW CASTLE (Feb. 22, 2022) - The Delaware Division of Social Services will issue emergency benefits for February to eligible households as part of the State's ongoing response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

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, Feb. 23, and should be available on recipients' Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards Thursday, Feb. 24. TANF and GA households should receive an emergency cash benefit check on or after Thursday, Feb. 24.

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

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 past few months of the pandemic have been challenging for Delawareans, especially for vulnerable individuals and families," said DHSS Secretary Molly Magarik. "These continued emergency benefits offer much-needed support to those impacted by the Omicron surge and now as we start on the path to recovery. We are thankful to the federal government and Delaware's Congressional Delegation for their ongoing support in providing these crucial and necessary benefits that will help us ensure everyone is able to participate fully in the recovery."

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 58,222 Delaware households will receive the emergency SNAP allotment in February, totaling about $11.4 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 153 households will be eligible to receive emergency cash assistance benefits in February, totaling about $21,866 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 state employees and visitors to state offices and facilities.



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.





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