Fund to help offset specific expenses directly related to COVID-19 response

WILMINGTON, Del. — Governor John Carney on Tuesday announced a $45 million Higher Education Relief Fund, which will assist Delaware colleges and universities affected by COVID-19.

“This COVID-19 pandemic has impacted nearly everyone, including higher education institutions,” said Governor Carney. “Delaware’s colleges and universities not only provide students with an excellent education, but also contribute to economic development in our communities. This funding will assist with the expenses to help ensure a safe environment. But we all need to do our part. Avoid social events with those outside of your household. Wear a face mask in public settings. Wash or sanitize your hands frequently. Stay vigilant and we’ll get through this.”

The Higher Education Relief Fund is funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Eligible institutions include University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Delaware Technical Community College, Wesley College, Wilmington University, Goldey-Beacom College, and Delaware College of Art and Design.

Per federal guidelines, eligible colleges and universities must use the funding on specific expenses that are directly related to COVID-19 response. These expenses include:

• Personal protective equipment
• Equipment purchased to make buildings suitable for COVID-19 safety (plexi-glass, air purifiers, )
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting services
• Expenses for technical assistance on mitigation of COVID-19 related threats
• Costs incurred to conduct enhanced screenings for employees and students
• Technology and tele-services needed to adjust to COVID-19 response
• Signage necessary because of the pandemic
• Marketing and media expenses incurred to respond to COVID-19

Continuing to support Delaware higher education institutions and community colleges to avoid tuition increases or reduction in student loan/grants was a recommendation from the Pandemic Resurgence Advisory Committee (PRAC).

Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

Download COVID Alert DE in the App Store or Google Play. 

Report a business for COVID-19 non-compliance using this form

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

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Governor John Carney will hold a press briefing at 1:45 p.m. in the auditorium of the Carvel State Office Building to answer questions from members of the press about Delaware’s response to coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

NEW CASTLE (23 de noviembre de 2020) – La División de Servicios Sociales de Delaware emitirá beneficios de emergencia para noviembre a los hogares elegibles como parte de la continua respuesta del estado a la crisis de salud pública de COVID-19.

Los beneficios serán emitidos como parte del Programa de Ayuda Suplementaria de Nutrición (SNAP, por sus siglas en inglés) y dos programas de asistencia en efectivo – Asistencia Temporal para Familias Necesitadas (TANF, por sus siglas en inglés) y Asistencia General (GA, por sus siglas en inglés).

El beneficio de alimentos de emergencia de SNAP se emitirá el martes 24 de noviembre y debería estar disponible al día siguiente en las tarjetas de Transferencia Electrónica de Beneficios (EBT, por sus siglas en inglés) de los beneficiarios. Los hogares con la TANF y GA deberían recibir un cheque de beneficios en efectivo para la emergencia el martes 24 de noviembre o después.

La asistencia de emergencia incrementará el beneficio mensual de un hogar para cada programa hasta el monto máximo de beneficio para el número de personas en su hogar (vea las tablas a continuación). Los hogares que ya reciben el monto máximo de beneficios o que tienen un beneficio prorrateado en el mes de noviembre no son elegibles para los fondos de emergencia de noviembre. Las familias que recibieron en septiembre fondos de la EBT por la Pandemia pero que no tienen un caso abierto de beneficios de alimentos tampoco son elegibles para los beneficios de emergencia del SNAP. (Delaware emitió los beneficios de la P-EBT a los hogares con niños que perdieron temporalmente el acceso a las comidas escolares gratuitas o a precio reducido cuando las escuelas cerraron como resultado de la pandemia).

Los hogares ya recibieron sus beneficios regulares para noviembre en las fechas habituales de distribución.
Bajo la Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Ley de Respuesta al Coronavirus de las Familias Primero) de 2020, que se firmó como ley en marzo, el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Sociales de Delaware (DHSS) ha entregado beneficios de emergencia cada mes a cualquier hogar que no esté recibiendo ya el máximo beneficio mensualmente.

“La falta de alimentos y recursos financieros se siente con mayor intensidad en esta época del año, por lo que estamos especialmente agradecidos por esta asistencia continua para los residentes de Delaware que están luchando a medida que la pandemia continúa,” dijo la Secretaria del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Sociales, Molly Magarik. “Con el aumento de los casos de COVID-19 en Delaware, nuestros residentes de bajos ingresos necesitan todo el apoyo que puedan conseguir para mantenerse saludables y a salvo.”
Aquí están los montos máximos del beneficio mensual según el número de personas en el hogar:

Beneficios del SNAP por la emergencia

Se estima que 35,464 hogares serán elegibles para recibir en noviembre la asignación de SNAP de emergencia, para un total de unos 7.1 millones de dólares en beneficios de alimentos de emergencia para el mes.

Beneficios en efectivo para la emergencia

Ayuda Temporal para Familias Necesitadas (TANF)

Asistencia General (GA)

Se estima que 149 hogares serán elegibles para recibir en noviembre beneficios de asistencia de emergencia en efectivo, para un total de unos 19,800 dólares en beneficios de emergencia para el mes.

Para más información sobre los programas de beneficios del DSS como respuesta a la pandemia, vaya a https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dss/covid19.html. Para solicitar los beneficios vaya a https://assist.dhss.delaware.gov/ o llame al 1 (866) 843-7212. Para limitar la propagación del COVID-19, se pide a los clientes que se pongan en contacto con la División de Servicios Sociales por teléfono o en línea.

NEW CASTLE (Nov. 23, 2020) – The Delaware Division of Social Services will issue emergency benefits for November to eligible households as part of the state’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 public health crisis.
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 Tuesday, Nov. 24, and should be available on recipients’ Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards the next day. TANF and GA households should receive an emergency cash benefit check on or after Tuesday, Nov. 24.

[En Espanol]

The emergency assistance will increase a household’s monthly benefit for each program up to the maximum benefit amount for their household size (see tables below). Households that already receive the maximum benefit amount or that have a prorated benefit in the month of November are not eligible for the November emergency funds.

Families who received Pandemic-EBT funds in September, but who do not have an open food benefit case are also not eligible for emergency SNAP benefits. (Delaware issued P-EBT benefits to households with children who temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price school meals when schools closed as a result of the pandemic.)
Households already received their regular benefits for November on the usual issuance dates.

Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, which was signed into law in March, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) has issued emergency benefits each month to any household not already receiving the maximum monthly benefit.

“Lack of food and financial resources is most keenly felt this time of year, so we are especially grateful for this ongoing assistance to Delawareans who are struggling as the pandemic continues,” said Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Molly Magarik. “With cases of COVID-19 rising in Delaware, our low-income residents need all the support they can get to stay healthy and safe.”

Here are the maximum monthly benefit amounts per household size:

Emergency SNAP benefits

An estimated 35,464 households will be eligible to receive the emergency SNAP allotment in November, totaling about $7.1 million in emergency food benefits for the month.

Emergency cash benefits

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

General Assistance (GA)

An estimated 149 households will be eligible to receive emergency cash assistance benefits in November, totaling about $19,800 in emergency benefits for the month.

For more information about DSS’s benefit programs in response to the pandemic, go to https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dss/covid19.html. To apply for benefits, go to https://assist.dhss.delaware.gov/ or call 1-866-843-7212. To limit the spread of COVID-19, clients are asked to contact the Division of Social Services by phone or online.

State agencies encourage COVID-19 testing

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) announced the list of community testing sites throughout Delaware this week. Testing locations listed below include pop-up and Curative trailer sites, as well as community sites hosted by the Henrietta Johnson Medical Center.

“Testing is the best way to track the spread of COVID-19 and monitor for potential outbreaks. But it’s not a replacement for basic prevention measures that we know work,” said Governor Carney. “Wear a mask. Think twice before gathering with friends or family outside your household. Consider celebrating the holidays a little differently this year. It won’t be easy but that’s how we’ll limit the spread of COVID-19, and beat this virus. Stay vigilant.”

DEMA has coordinated community sites this week in addition to sites at Walgreens and at various hospitals and health care locations. Delawareans can view a full list of COVID-19 testing locations and reserve a spot at de.gov/gettested.

Delawareans are encouraged to check the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services’ social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) for testing location updates due to inclement weather.

New Castle County Pop-Up Testing Locations

• Monday, November 23 from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. (Walk Up Only): Congo Funeral Home Parking Lot (2401 N. Market St., Wilmington, DE 19802)
• Monday, November 23 from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Frawley Stadium (801 Shipyard Dr, Wilmington, DE 19801)
• Tuesday, November 24 from 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (Walk Up Only): Garfield Recreation Center (26 Karlyn Drive, New Castle, DE 19720)
• **Tuesday, November 24 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: City of Love at Brandywine (2200 N. Market St, Wilmington, DE 19802)
• Tuesday, November 24 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Henrietta Johnson Medical Center (601 New Castle Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19801) – Register by calling: 302-655-6187
• Wednesday, November 25 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Seeds of Greatness (828 Frenchtown Rd E, New Castle, DE 19720)
• Wednesday, November 25 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Warner Elementary School (801 W 18th St, Wilmington, DE 19802)
• Wednesday, November 25 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Henrietta Johnson Medical Center (601 New Castle Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19801) – Register by calling: 302-655-6187
• Wednesday, November 25 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Middletown High School (120 Silver Lake Rd, Middletown, DE 19709)
• Saturday, November 28 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.: University of Delaware STAR Campus (540 S College Ave, Newark, DE 19713)
• Saturday, November 28 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Biblical Mission of Covenant Church Of God (60 Fir Ave, Bear, DE 19701)

Kent County Pop-Up Testing Locations

• Monday, November 23 from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Delaware Tech Terry Campus (100 Campus Drive, Dover, DE 19904)
• Tuesday, November 24 from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Grace Presbyterian Church (350 McKee Road, Dover, DE 19904)
• Wednesday, November 25 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Harrington Fire Department (20 Clark St, Harrington, DE 19952)
• Saturday, November 28 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Smyrna Police Department (325 W Glenwood Ave, Smyrna, DE 19977)

Sussex County Pop-Up Testing Locations

• **Monday, November 23 from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Epworth UM Church (19285 Holland Glade Rd, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971)
• Monday, November 23 from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Delaware Tech Owens Campus (21179 College Dr, Georgetown, DE 19947)
• Tuesday, November 24 from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.: Milford High School (1019 N Walnut St, Milford, DE 19963)
• Wednesday, November 25 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Laurel Elementary School (815 South, N Central Ave, Laurel, DE 19956)
• Saturday, November 28 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Lewes Fire Department (32198 Janice Rd, Lewes, DE 19958)

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Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

Download COVID Alert DE in the App Store or Google Play. 

Report a business for COVID-19 non-compliance using this form.

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

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