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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: June 28, 2022
DHSS-6-2022

DELAWARE WILL ISSUE MONTHLY EMERGENCY BENEFITS ON JUNE 30 TO ALL SNAP HOUSEHOLDS AND ELIGIBLE TANF AND GENERAL ASSISTANCE HOUSEHOLDS

NEW CASTLE (June 28, 2022) - The Delaware Division of Social Services will issue emergency benefits for June 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 available on recipients' Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards Thursday, June 30. Eligible TANF and GA households will receive an emergency cash benefit check on or after Thursday, June 30.

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 June are not eligible for the June 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.

"Even with COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations declining in our state, this virus continues to affect Delawareans, especially the most vulnerable," said DHSS Secretary Molly Magarik.

"Being able to offer these critical benefits again this month ensures that individuals and families are able to keep food on the table, while also easing the stress related to the rising costs at the grocery store. We also are aware that these benefits will eventually end as our state and the country continue to fully recover from the economic shock of the pandemic. In the meantime, we are grateful to the federal government and Delaware's congressional delegation for providing these crucial and necessary benefits again this month."

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
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 58,645 Delaware households will receive the emergency SNAP allotment in June, totaling about $11.7 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 $24,620 in emergency benefits for the month.

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

For more information about DSS's benefit programs in response to the pandemic, go to division's webpage. To screen for and apply for benefits, go to DHSS' online application portal Delaware ASSIST or call 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 WILL ISSUE MONTHLY EMERGENCY BENEFITS ON JUNE 30 TO ALL SNAP HOUSEHOLDS AND ELIGIBLE TANF AND GENERAL ASSISTANCE HOUSEHOLDS

Delaware's Government