The V.I. Department of Human Services (DHS) announced Thursday that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will issue additional SNAP benefits to current SNAP recipients during the months of April and May. Households not already receiving the maximum benefits will receive a supplemental allotment to bring the amount of benefits received up to the maximum allotment for a household of that size. This action is part of the provisions set forth by the Families First Coronavirus Responses Act of 2020, D.H.S. said.
Existing SNAP households that do not currently receive the maximum allotment per household size will receive a supplemental allotment in April and May. D.H.S. Maximum allotment per household size listed below:
1: $249
2: $457
3: $654
4: $831
5: $987
6: $1184
7: $1,309
8: $1,496
Each additional person: $187
D.H.S. said if you already receive the maximum allotment you will not receive a supplemental allotment. The Supplemental Allotment for April will automatically load to recipients’ SNAP Electronic
Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards on Saturday, April 11.
The Supplemental Allotment for May will automatically load to recipients’ SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards on Saturday, May 16, 2020.
D.H.S. said it's working around the clock with its federal partners to ensure that residents of the territory have access to all available provisions during this time of COVID19 pandemic. "Our staff are working diligently to ensure that DHS is on the front-line advocating for our vulnerable populations and ensure that all Virgin Islanders have access to much needed food, cash, childcare and energy crisis assistance,” said DHS Kimberley Commissioner Causey- Gomez.
More than 20,000 individuals currently receive SNAP benefits within the territory. Due to the negative effects of COVID19, that number has increased and is expected to continue to increase in the coming weeks, D.H.S. said. The department encouraged households with reduced or terminated income to apply for benefits or report changes to their existing SNAP case.
Visit the DHS website, www.dhs.gov.vi, under the Division of Family Assistance tab for applications and more information. Applications are also available in specific grocery stores on all three islands, or at the DHS offices located on each island. Completed applications may be mailed, emailed, faxed or dropped off to drop boxes located at each local office below:
"Please note the VI has not been authorized to operate a Disaster SNAP (NO D-SNAP). However, people who are unemployed or have reduced income as a result of COVID 19 can apply for the regular SNAP program," D.H.S. said.
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