Delaware Will Issue Spring 2022 P-EBT Child Care Benefit on Oct. 7 to Children under Age 6 in Households Receiving SNAP Benefits

NEW CASTLE (Oct. 6, 2022) – Delaware families receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits will get emergency food assistance through the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) program for children under the age of 6 living in their households. Eligible SNAP households will receive the Spring 2022 P-EBT Child Care Benefit for the second half of the 2021-2022 school year (January 2022 through June 2022).

The Division of Social Services will issue the Spring 2022 P-EBT Child Care Benefit on Oct. 7 on behalf of children under the age of 6. A child is eligible for this P-EBT benefit if three conditions were met from January through June 2022:

1. The child was under the age of 6.
2. The child was a member of a household that received SNAP food benefits.
3. The child lived in an area where one or more schools or child-care facilities were closed or operated with reduced attendance or hours because of COVID-19.

The Spring 2022 P-EBT Child Care Benefit covers the months of January, February, March, April, May, and June 2022. For each eligible child under age 6, the SNAP household will receive a standard benefit amount of $36 per month for each month from January through June 2022 that the household received SNAP food benefits.

SNAP households will receive P-EBT benefits on their existing SNAP EBT cards and can use their P-EBT benefits just like SNAP food benefits to buy eligible food items at stores and farmer’s markets that accept SNAP EBT. Households will receive the Spring 2022 P-EBT Child Care Benefit on Oct. 7 for all children under the age of 6 in their homes. Households will only receive P-EBT benefits for children under the age of 6 for the months that the household received SNAP food benefits during the P-EBT period.

“We are grateful to be able to offer this Pandemic EBT Child Care Benefit to eligible families of Delaware’s youngest students,” said Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Molly Magarik. “Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted vulnerable families in many significant ways, including having their children miss out on nutritious meals at their child-care centers or schools. We offer our thanks to Delaware’s congressional delegation for extending this important federal food benefit to those families.”

The Division of Social Services estimates that it will issue $5.5 million in P-EBT benefits to the families of approximately 15,850 children under the age of 6 in SNAP households for the 2021-2022 school year.

Eligible SNAP households will receive notification in the mail regarding P-EBT benefits. Households do not need to take any action to receive P-EBT benefits.

The Division of Social Services issued the Fall 2021 P-EBT Childcare Benefit in June 2022 to eligible SNAP households with children under the age of 6 for the first half of the 2021-2022 school year (September 2021 through December 2021).

Please contact the Division of Social Services at 1-866-843-7212 if you have questions about Delaware’s P-EBT Program. More information about the program can be found at: https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dss/pebt.html

Delaware Emitirá el Beneficio P-EBT de Cuidado Infantil de la Primavera del 2022 el 7 de Octubre para Niños menores de 6 Años en Hogares Recibiendo Beneficios SNAP

NEW CASTLE (Octubre 6 de 2022) – Las familias de Delaware que reciben beneficios alimentos del Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (SNAP) obtendrán asistencia de alimentos de emergencia a través del programa de Pandemia de Transferencia Electrónica de Beneficios (P-EBT) para niños menores de 6 años que viven en sus hogares. Los hogares elegibles para SNAP recibirán el beneficio de cuidado infantil P-EBT de la Primavera del 2022 por la segunda mitad del año escolar 2021-2022 (Enero de 2022 a Junio de 2022).

La División de Servicios Sociales emitirá el beneficio de cuidado infantil P-EBT de la Primavera del 2022 el 7 de Octubre en representación de los niños menores de 6 años. Un niño es elegible para este beneficio P-EBT si se cumplieron tres condiciones desde Enero hasta Junio de 2022:

1. El niño es menor de 6 años.
2. El niño fue miembro de un hogar que recibió beneficios de alimentos SNAP.
3. El niño vivió en un área donde una o más escuelas o facilidades de guardería estaban cerradas u operando bajo horas o atendencia debido a COVID-19.

El Beneficio P-EBT de Cuidado Infantil de la Primavera del 2022 cubre los meses de Enero, Febrero, Marzo, Abril, Mayo y Junio de 2022. Por cada niño elegible menor de 6 años, el hogar SNAP recibirá un monto de beneficio estándar de $36 mensuales por cada mes de Enero a Junio del 2022 en que el hogar recibió beneficios de alimentos SNAP.

Los hogares de SNAP recibirán beneficios de P-EBT en sus tarjetas SNAP EBT existentes y pueden usar sus beneficios de P-EBT al igual que los beneficios de alimentos de SNAP para comprar alimentos elegibles en tiendas y mercados de agricultores que acepten SNAP EBT. Los hogares recibirán el Beneficio P-EBT de Cuidado Infantil de la Primavera del 2022 el 7 de Octubre para todos los niños menores de 6 años en sus hogares. Los hogares solo recibirán beneficios de P-EBT para niños menores de 6 años durante los meses en que el hogar recibió beneficios de alimentos SNAP durante el período de P-EBT.

“Estamos agradecidos de poder ofrecer este Beneficio Cuidado infantil de la Pandemia EBT a las familias elegibles de los estudiantes más jóvenes de Delaware,” dijo la Secretaria del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Sociales (DHSS) Molly Magarik. “Desafortunadamente, la pandemia de COVID-19 ha impactado a las familias vulnerables de muchas maneras significativas, incluyendo el hecho que sus hijos se pierdan de comidas nutritivas en sus guarderías o escuelas. Ofrecemos nuestro agradecimiento a la delegación del Congreso de Delaware por extender este importante beneficio federal de alimentos a esas familias”

La División de Servicios Sociales estima que otorgará $5.5 millones en beneficios P-EBT a las familias de aproximadamente 15,850 niños menores de 6 años en hogares SNAP para el año escolar 2021-2022.

Los hogares elegibles de SNAP recibirán una notificación por correo sobre los beneficios de P-EBT. Los hogares no necesitan realizar ninguna acción para recibir los beneficios de P-EBT.

La División de Servicios Sociales emitió el beneficio de cuidado infantil P-EBT del Otoño de 2021 en Junio del 2022 para los hogares elegibles de SNAP con niños menores de 6 años durante la primera mitad del año escolar 2021-2022 (Septiembre de 2021 a Diciembre de 2021).

Por favor contacte a la División de Servicios Sociales al 1-866-843-7212 si tiene preguntas sobre el Programa P-EBT de Delaware. Más información sobre el programa puede ser encontrada en: https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dss/pebt.html

NEW CASTLE (27 de Septiembre de 2022) – La División de Servicios Sociales de Delaware emitirá beneficios de emergencia para Septiembre a los hogares elegibles como parte de la respuesta continua del Estado a la crisis de salud pública de COVID-19.

Los beneficios se emitirán como parte del Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (SNAP) y dos programas de asistencia en efectivo: Asistencia Temporal para Familias Necesitadas (TANF) y Asistencia General (GA). El beneficio de alimentos de emergencia de SNAP estará disponible en las tarjetas de Transferencia Electrónica de Beneficios (EBT) de los beneficiarios el Jueves, 29 de Septiembre los hogares de TANF y GA deben recibir un cheque de beneficios en efectivo de emergencia a partir de o después del Jueves, 29 de Septiembre.

A partir de este mes, Delaware emitirá beneficios de alimentos de emergencia para todos los hogares de SNAP de la siguiente manera:

1. Los hogares de SNAP que reciben la cantidad máxima de beneficios de alimentos para el tamaño de su hogar recibirán $95 en beneficios de alimentos de emergencia.
2. A los hogares de SNAP con un monto calculado de beneficios de alimentos de emergencia menor a $95 se les aumentará su beneficio de emergencia a $95.
3. Los hogares de SNAP con un monto de beneficio de emergencia calculado de $95 o más continuarán recibiendo el monto de beneficio de emergencia calculado para aumentar el beneficio mensual del hogar hasta el monto máximo de beneficio para el tamaño de su hogar.

La asistencia de emergencia para las familias de TANF y GA aumentará el beneficio mensual de un hogar para cada programa hasta el monto máximo de beneficio para el tamaño de su hogar. Los hogares que ya reciben la cantidad máxima de beneficios de TANF o GA o que tienen un beneficio prorrateado en el mes de Septiembre no son elegibles para los fondos en efectivo de emergencia de Septiembre.

El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Sociales de Delaware (DHSS) ha emitido beneficios de emergencia cada mes a los hogares elegibles desde Marzo del 2020.

“Para los individuos y familias de Delaware que están luchando por recuperarse de las dificultades económicas gracias a la pandemia provocada por COVID-19, estos beneficios mensuales de emergencia han servido como un puente fundamental,” dijo la Secretaria Molly Magarik de DHSS. “Con los casos de COVID, las hospitalizaciones y muertes declinando en Delaware y a través de todo el país, esperamos que llegue el día en los próximos meses donde estos beneficios mejorados terminaran. Mientras tanto, alentamos a los residentes de Delaware que reciben estos beneficios a prepararse por ese día, mientras continuamos en agradecer al gobierno federal y la delegación del congreso de Delaware por brindar este puente tan crucial.”

Cómo se calcula el beneficio de emergencia mensual: El beneficio de emergencia mensual de un hogar es igual al monto máximo actual del beneficio para el tamaño del hogar menos el monto del beneficio mensual actual del hogar. Por ejemplo, según los límites actuales del USDA para los beneficios SNAP, si un hogar de 1 miembro recibe $100 en beneficios mensuales regulares, recibirán $134 en beneficios de emergencia (beneficio máximo de $234 menos beneficio mensual de $100).

Estos son los montos máximos de beneficios mensuales actuales por tamaño de hogar para SNAP, TANF y Asistencia general:

Beneficios de SNAP de Emergencia

Se estima que 59,367 hogares serán elegibles para recibir la asignación de SNAP de emergencia en Septiembre, por un total de alrededor de $11.9 millones en beneficios de alimentos de emergencia para el mes.

Beneficios de Dinero en Efectivo de Emergencia

Asistencia Temporal para Familias Necesitadas (TANF)

Asistencia General (GA)

Se estima que 185 hogares serán elegibles para recibir beneficios de asistencia en efectivo de emergencia en Septiembre, por un total de alrededor de $24,000 en beneficios de emergencia para el mes.

Además de los beneficios de emergencia, los hogares recibirán sus beneficios regulares para Septiembre en las fechas de emisión habituales.

Para obtener más información sobre los programas de beneficios de DSS en respuesta a la pandemia, visite la página web de la división. Para solicitar beneficios, vaya a Delaware ASSIST o llame al 1-866-843-7212.

NEW CASTLE (Sept. 27, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Social Services will issue emergency benefits for September 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, Sept. 29. Eligible TANF and GA households will receive an emergency cash benefit check on or after Thursday, Sept. 29.

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 September 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 since March 2020.

“For Delaware individuals and families struggling to bounce back from the economic struggles brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, these monthly emergency benefits have been a critical bridge,” DHSS Secretary Molly Magarik said. “With COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths declining in Delaware and across the country, we expect the day will come in the next few months that these enhanced benefits will end. In the meantime, we encourage Delawareans receiving these benefits to prepare for that day, while we continue to be grateful to the federal government and to Delaware’s congressional delegation for providing this crucial bridge.”

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

An estimated 59,367 Delaware households will receive the emergency SNAP allotment in September, totaling about $11.9 million in emergency food benefits for the month.

Emergency Cash Benefits

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

General Assistance (GA)

An estimated 185 households will be eligible to receive emergency cash assistance benefits in September, totaling about $24,500 in emergency benefits for the month.

In addition to the emergency benefits, households will receive their regular benefits for September 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 screen for and apply for benefits, go to DHSS’ online application portal Delaware ASSIST or call 1-866-843-7212.

DOVER, DE (September 16, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is pleased to share declines in hospitalizations, test positivity rates and the 7-day average of new positive COVID-19 cases continued for the second month in a row.  Deaths also remain low. However, COVID-19 is still circulating in the community, and at higher levels in some counties. Additionally, while hospitalizations overall are down, in recent weeks they have increased in the 0-4 months age range and the 18-34 years age range.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) COVID-19 Community Levels data tracker, which was last updated on September 15, COVID-19 community levels in Kent and Sussex counties are considered medium, while levels in New Castle County are listed as low.

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CDC have authorized the new bivalent boosters from Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna, which target two strains of COVID 19: the original strain of the virus, and two of the Omicron variants (BA.4 and BA.5), currently, the most widespread variants in the world.  The updated bivalent boosters are available to all individuals 12 years of age and older who have received their primary series of vaccination at least two months before (a minimum of two doses of Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax and one dose of Johnson and Johnson).  Individuals who have recently had COVID-19 are still encouraged to get a booster to optimize their protection but should consider waiting three months after they have recovered.

Changes in the virus necessitated new, updated boosters to improve protection. To reduce confusion among the public and vaccine providers, and because they do not offer the increased levels of protection provided by the bivalent boosters, the original booster formula is no longer authorized for use in those 12 and older.  Medical providers may no longer administer them to anyone older than 12.

By authorizing the vaccines in September rather than waiting until later this fall, the CDC estimates the prevention of over 137,000 hospitalizations and 9,200 deaths in the first two months alone. To further support the effectiveness of vaccines and boosters in reducing serious illness, a study of the Journal of the American Medical Association indicates that during the original Omicron surge earlier this year, unvaccinated individuals were 10.5 times more likely to be hospitalized than those who were vaccinated and boosted.

Pfizer-BioNTech boosters are authorized for ages 12 and older, while Moderna is authorized for 18 years of age and older.  Regardless of which brand of vaccine you previously received, you can get any bivalent booster for which you are eligible.  As of this time, only the monovalent boosters targeting the original strain are available for children 5 through 11 years of age.  Parents are encouraged to vaccinate their children now with the primary series and most current boosters when eligible until the bivalent boosters are authorized for this age group. With the rise in hospitalizations among those ages 0 – 4 years old, parents of young children are particularly encouraged to get their children vaccinated.

DPH strongly encourages everyone 12 and older to get their bivalent booster as soon as they are eligible, and well in advance of any possible surge in the late fall or winter. Individuals may also get a booster at the same time as they get their annual flu vaccine, but it is recommended to do so in different arms.  Bivalent boosters are available at DPH clinics, many pharmacies, Federally Qualified Health Centers and some community events.  You can find a list of locations at de.gov/getmyvaccine or at vaccines.gov. More details on the bivalent booster can be found at de.gov/boosters.

The webpage also has a link to a flier for the public which highlights some similarities between the labels of bivalent boosters and some primary series vaccines. Those getting a booster are encouraged to print and take a copy of the flier with them, or pull it up on their phone’s web browser, and ask the vaccine provider to show you the vial that your bivalent booster is being drawn from so you can confirm it is the correct one. It is an important step in being an educated health consumer and advocate for your personal health.

The below data is as reported on Delaware’s My Health Community data portal on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. 

COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations: 

• Total positive cases since March 11, 2020: 305,517*
• 7-day daily average of new positive cases: 196.1, a decrease of 83.3 average new positive cases reported since Aug 18, 2022 
• 7-day daily average for the percentage of total positive tests: 12.5 percentage points, a decrease of 5.9 percentage points reported since Aug 18, 2022 
• Hospitalizations: 121 current hospitalizations; critically ill: 14 
• Total COVID-19 deaths: 3,080, an increase of 44 since last month (11 regularly reported, and 33 from a review of Vital Statistics between June and August)

*Case and testing data are based on reporting of lab-confirmed COVID-19 tests only. The number of COVID-19 cases in the community is higher than what is reported because of the use of at-home test kits. 

COVID-19 Vaccinations:   

• Total number of doses administered in Delaware: 1,893,787
• Percentage of Delawareans 5+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 75.1%  
• Percentage of Delawareans 12+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 79.2%   
• Percentage of Delawareans 18+ who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 80.7%
• Percent of Delawareans who are fully vaccinated (CDC data): 70.9% 

All qualifying Delawareans should get vaccinated. For a location near you, visit de.gov/getmyvaccine. Delaware’s latest COVID-19 vaccination statistics can be found under the Vaccine Tracker dashboard at de.gov/healthycommunity.  

COVID-19 Case Vaccination Status Report: 

The following reports capture a weekly breakdown of non-boosted cases, deaths, and hospitalizations for the time frame of Sept 5 – Sept 11, 2022.  

 Non-boosted: Case – Hospital – Death

Note:

Case and Hospitalization Count: based on RTS (Report to State Date)
Death: based on DoD (Date of Death)

Long-term Care Statistics:   

As of Thursday, September 15, 2022, there have been a total of 4,573 positive COVID-19 cases involving long-term care residents, and 979 residents of Delaware long-term care facilities have died from complications related to COVID-19.

Resources:   

Individuals with general questions about COVID-19 should call Delaware 2-1-1, individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211, or email delaware211@uwde.org. Hours of operation are:   

• Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.   
• Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 Medical-related questions regarding testing, symptoms and health-related guidance can be submitted by email at DPHCall@delaware.gov.   

DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.

###

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is a nationally accredited public health agency recognized by the Public Health Accreditation Board for its outstanding dedication to driving change through innovation. DPH 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.  Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-Blind or speech disabled can contact DPH by dialing 711 first using specialized devices (i.e., TTY, TeleBraille, voice devices). The 711 service is free and to learn more about how it works, please visit delawarerelay.com.