The V.I. Department of Human Services, Division of Family Assistance announced Friday that the final emergency allotments for SNAP Households in the territory will be issued on Saturday.
These temporary funds were initially granted to help SNAP recipients weather financial hardships caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, D.H.S. said. The emergency allotment, however, was not included in the $1.7 trillion Consolidated Appropriations Act that President Joe Biden signed in late December. Therefore, beginning March 1, 2023, all SNAP recipients, including U.S. Virgin Islanders who qualified for the extra money, will see their monthly payments decrease by $95 or more.
D.H.S. said that on March 1, 2023, when the temporary emergency allotment expires, each SNAP household will revert to receiving benefits that were based on the factors in determining eligibility, including household size, income, and deductions. The department is advising SNAP Households to take steps to prepare for the loss of the additional funds next month.
“Originally, the last issuance was supposed to be in August 2022, however through my authority as Commissioner, and approval by FNS, we extended the EA by an additional six months," stated D.H.S. Commissioner Kimberley Causey-Gomez. "Unfortunately, no additional extensions are allowable under the federal guidelines and therefore households need to budget their February benefits to compensate for the upcoming March reduction. As a reminder, the change to your benefit amount is due to the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act and VIDHS does not have any control over this change."
For any questions or concerns, contact the following numbers: St. Croix (340) 772-7100 ext. 7103, 7199, 7025 St. Thomas/St. John 774-0930 ext. 4386, 4387 4388
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