First State Times

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:

1. SNAP households receiving the maximum food benefit amount for their household size or a prorated initial benefit will receive $95 in emergency food benefits.
2. SNAP households with a calculated emergency food benefit amount less than $95 will have their emergency benefit increased to $95.
3. 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 February are not eligible for the February emergency cash funds.

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) has issued emergency benefits each month to eligible households since 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 February on the usual issuance dates.

For more information about DSS’s benefit programs in response to the pandemic, go to the division’s webpage. To apply for benefits, go to DHSS’ online application portal 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.