DOVER, DE (Jan. 27, 2023) –   The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing the closure of the COVID-19 call center and the vaccine call center due to a low volume of calls. The Call Centers’ last day of operation will be Tuesday, January 31.  Delawareans may still access critical COVID-19 information on the website at de.gov/coronavirus, where questions can be submitted via the contact form at coronavirus.delaware.gov/contact. General questions about COVID-19 will still be answered by calling 2-1-1 or by emailing DPHCall@delaware.gov, or Vaccine@delaware.gov for vaccine-specific questions. 

“The COVID-19 call center has provided an invaluable service to Delawareans throughout the pandemic who had so many questions about this new disease,” said Interim DPH Director Dr. Rick Hong. “We started with multiple call center operators, even having to open a separate Vaccine Call Center when the vaccine program rolled out. However, significantly lower call volume concerning COVID-19 as the pandemic wanes and evolves is allowing us to re-allocate personnel to other critical health work. Most people are accessing information through the web however, we remain dedicated to answering COVID-19 related questions through our email resource boxes, which will continue to be monitored. We will also continue to communicate COVID-19 information to Delawareans using media and community partners, to encourage them to practice health safety by getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu, staying home when sick, and wearing a mask in public areas if they feel sick and must go out.” 

The COVID-19 call center was launched on March 4, 2020, under the leadership of former DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. The creation of the COVID-19 call center stemmed from the tremendous number of calls DPH was receiving about the novel coronavirus. At the time of launch, Delaware reported no coronavirus cases in the state. The call center provided critical information to schools, medical providers, state agencies and community organizations. A second call center was opened on Dec. 19, 2020, to field questions about COVID-19 vaccines.

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.    

For the latest on Delaware’s response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.     

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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 first dialing 711 using specialized devices (i.e., TTY, TeleBraille, voice devices). The 711 service is free; to learn more about how it works, visit delawarerelay.com.   

Familias Elegibles Recibirán Beneficios de Asistencia de Alimentos de Emergencia en 2 Distribuciones

NEW CASTLE (Agosto 2, 2022) – Hogares elegibles de Delaware recibirán beneficios de asistencia de alimentos de emergencia bajo el programa de Pandemia de Transferencia Electrónica de Beneficios (P-EBT) para cubrir el período de verano cuando los niños están en vacaciones y no reciben comidas en la escuela.

Los siguientes niños/as son elegibles para el beneficio de P-EBT de Verano:

1. Niños/as que fueron elegibles para recibir comidas escolares gratuitas o con precio reducido durante el último mes del año escolar 2021-2022.
2. Niños que fueron determinados recientemente como elegibles para comidas escolares gratuitas o con precio reducido durante este verano y estuvieron inscritos en una escuela de Delaware durante el año escolar 2021-2022. Hogares que hicieron una solicitud de alimentos a su escuela el 26 de Agosto de 2022 o antes y son aprobados calificarán para P-EBT de Verano siempre y cuando el/la niño/a estuvo inscrito en la escuela para el año escolar 2021-2022.
3. Niños/as menores de 6 años que pertenecen a un hogar que está recibiendo el beneficio de alimentos del Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (SNAP) durante este verano.

La División de Servicios Sociales (DSS) del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Sociales está colaborando con el Departamento de Educación de Delaware y las escuelas de Delaware para emitir el beneficio P-EBT de Verano comenzando este mes. Hogares recibirán el beneficio P-EBT de Verano estándar de EE. UU. de $ 391.00 por cada niño elegible en su hogar. El beneficio P-EBT de Verano se dividirá en dos emisiones separadas.

La fecha en que se emiten los beneficios para hogares individuales depende de cuándo se reciba la información de elegibilidad de P-EBT de las escuelas de Delaware.

Los beneficios de P-EBT pueden ser usados para comprar alimentos en tiendas que acepten tarjetas SNAP EBT. Los hogares SNAP tendrán los beneficios de P-EBT cargados en sus tarjetas SNAP EBT existentes. Los hogares que no reciben SNAP tendrán los beneficios de P-EBT cargados en la tarjeta P-EBT que fue enviado en un año escolar anterior. Los hogares recién elegibles que no son SNAP recibirán una tarjeta P-EBT por correo junto con los detalles sobre cómo usar la tarjeta.

“Para familias vulnerables a través de nuestro estado, el programa de Pandemia EBT de Verano es una manera importante para asegurar que las necesidades nutricionales de los/as niños/as continúen en ser satisfechas mientras que no están en la escuela,” dijo Molly Magarik la Secretaria del DHSS. “Estamos agradecidos con el gobierno federal y la delegación del congreso de Delaware por proporcionar el financiamiento crítico para apoyar a las familias elegibles de Delaware.”

DHSS estima que emitirá $43.8 millones en beneficios de P-EBT a padres o guardianes de aproximadamente 112,050 niños/as este verano.

Hogares elegibles recibirán una notificación escrita por correo sobre el beneficio P-EBT de Verano. La elegibilidad de P-EBT se basa en la información recibida de las escuelas de Delaware.

Familias que deseen solicitar comidas escolares gratuitas o a precio reducido pueden comunicarse con el Programa de Nutrición Escolar de la escuela de su hijo/a o visitar el sitio web de la escuela para completar una solicitud. Las familias deben solicitar comidas gratis o a precio reducido antes del 26 de agosto de 2022 para ser potencialmente elegibles para P-EBT de Verano.

Por favor comuníquese con la División de Servicios Sociales al 1-866-843-7212 si tiene preguntas sobre el Programa P-EBT de Delaware. Visite el sitio web de P-EBT de Delaware para más información.

Eligible SNAP Households Will Receive P-EBT Emergency Food Assistance on June 3

NEW CASTLE (June 1, 2022) – Delaware families receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits will get emergency food assistance through the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program for children under the age of 6 living in their households. Eligible SNAP households will receive P-EBT for the 2021-2022 school year (September 2021 through June 2022).

The Division of Social Services is issuing the Fall 2021 P-EBT benefit on June 3 for children under the age of 6. A child is eligible for this P-EBT benefit if three conditions were met from September through December 2021:

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 were closed or operated with reduced attendance or hours because of COVID-19.

The Fall 2021 P-EBT benefit covers the months of September, October, November, and December 2021. For each eligible child under age 6, the SNAP household will receive a standard benefit amount of $35 per month for each month from September through December 2021 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 Fall 2021 P-EBT benefit for all children under the age of 6 in their home on June 3. Households will receive P-EBT benefits only 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 that so many of Delaware’s youngest students were able to return to in-person learning during the 2021-22 school year,” said Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Molly Magarik. “For those whose families missed in-person classes because schools switched to virtual classes during periods of the Delta and Omicron surges, the Pandemic EBT emergency food benefit is a way to make up for those missed meals in school. We also offer our thanks to Delaware’s congressional delegation for supporting this important federal food benefit for our vulnerable families.”

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

Eligible SNAP households will receive written 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 will issue Spring 2022 P-EBT benefits at a later time.

SNAP households that include school-age children who are eligible for P-EBT will continue to receive P-EBT benefits for those children on the scheduled benefit issuance dates. Check Delaware’s P-EBT website for details.

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

Familias Elegibles Serán Reembolsadas por el Costo de Comidas Que Habrían Sido Disponibles en Escuelas

NEW CASTLE (Marzo 2, 2022) – Los hogares de Delaware con niños afectados por el cierre de escuelas o la reducción en tiempo presencial o en asistencia a causa de la COVID-19 recibirán beneficios de asistencia alimentaria de emergencia bajo el programa de Transferencia Electrónica de Beneficios por la Pandemia (P-EBT). Los hogares elegibles recibirán beneficios de P-EBT por cada día escolar en el que su hijo/a no recibió comidas en la escuela durante el año escolar actual debido a un motivo relacionado con COVID.

La División de Servicios Sociales del Estado, en colaboración con el Departamento de Educación del Estado, emitirá los beneficios de P-EBT a partir del jueves 3 de Marzo. Los beneficios estarán disponibles en las tarjetas EBT de los beneficiarios a partir del Viernes 4 de marzo. Las fechas en el que se emitirán los beneficios a los hogares individuales depende de cuándo la División de Servicios Sociales reciba los datos de elegibilidad y asistencia de cada escuela. Algunos hogares pueden experimentar un retraso en la recepción de los beneficios y los beneficios pueden estar disponibles dentro de dos o más semanas a partir de la fecha de emisión mensual.

“Aunque las escuelas de Delaware han operado en persona durante la gran mayoría del año escolar, sabemos que los aumentos repentinos de Delta y Omicron, en particular, si tuvieron impacto con el aprendizaje en persona,” dijo la Secretaria del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Sociales (DHSS), Molly Magarik. “Hoy, la transmisión de COVID-19 ha reducido significativamente en todo nuestro estado, pero aún estamos viendo casos en personas de todas las edades, incluyendo estudiantes. Cuando estudiantes vulnerables faltan a la escuela por cualquier motivo relacionado con COVID, eso afecta su acceso a comidas gratuitas o de precio reducido. Esta asistencia temporal ayudará a las familias afectadas a que continúen en brindar una dieta nutritiva, la cual es esencial para la salud de sus hijos/as y que así mismo, fortalecezca la habilidad de aprendizaje de sus hijos/as.”

La Ley de Respuesta al Coronavirus de Families First (Familias Primero) de 2020 (PL 116-127), modificada por la Ley de Asignaciones Continuas de 2021 y la Ley de Otras Extensiones (PL 116-159), la Ley de Asignaciones Consolidadas de 2021 (PL 116-260) y la Ley de Plan de Rescate Estadounidense de 2021 (PL 117-2) permite que P-EBT se extienda hasta el año escolar 2021-2022. Delaware emitirá beneficios de P-EBT desde Agosto de 2021 hasta Junio de 2022 utilizando el siguiente cronograma:

Los/as niños/as inscritos/as desde prekínder hasta el grado 12 en una escuela de Delaware son elegibles para los beneficios de P-EBT para el año escolar 2021-2022 si se cumplen dos condiciones:

1. El niño/a está certificado/a ya sea directamente, a través de la elegibilidad categórica, o a través de una solicitud para recibir comidas gratuitas o a precio reducido o asiste a una escuela de Provisión de Elegibilidad Comunitaria (CEP) donde todos los estudiantes reciben comidas gratis a través del Programa Nacional de Almuerzo Escolar o Programa de Desayuno Escolar; y
2. El/La niño/a no puede recibir comidas gratis o a precio reducido en la escuela porque la escuela estaba cerrada o el/la niño/a tuvo una ausencia justificada o asistió a la escuela virtualmente debido a un motivo relacionado con COVID.

Los hogares recibirán $7.10 por cada día escolar que su hijo/a no recibió comidas en la escuela porque la escuela estaba cerrada o el/la niño/a tuvo una ausencia justificada o asistió a la escuela virtualmente debido a un motivo relacionado con COVID. El monto del beneficio P-EBT equivale a la tasa de reembolso federal para desayuno, almuerzo y refrigerio de $7.10 por niño/a por día escolar elegible. Los hogares recibirán beneficios de P-EBT para todos los/las niños/as elegibles en su hogar en emisiones mensuales. Los hogares no recibirán P-EBT por los días en que sus hijos asistieron a la escuela en persona y recibieron comidas en la escuela o por días de ausencia que no fueron por COVID.

Los beneficios de P-EBT se pueden usar para comprar alimentos en tiendas que acepten tarjetas de SNAP EBT. Los hogares de SNAP tendrán los beneficios de P-EBT cargados en sus tarjetas de SNAP EBT existentes. Los hogares que no reciben SNAP tendrán los beneficios de P-EBT cargados en la tarjeta P-EBT que se les envió en un año escolar anterior. Los hogares recién elegibles que no son parte del programa SNAP recibirán una tarjeta P-EBT por correo junto con detalles sobre cómo usar la tarjeta.

Los hogares elegibles recibirán una notificación por escrito en el correo sobre los beneficios de P-EBT para el año escolar 2021-2022. La elegibilidad de P-EBT se basa en la información recibida por las escuelas de Delaware.

Comuníquese con la División de Servicios Sociales al 1-866-843-7212 si tiene preguntas sobre el programa P-EBT de Delaware. La información actualizada de P-EBT se puede encontrar en el sitio web P-EBT.

Eligible Families Will Be Reimbursed for Cost of Meals That Would Have Been Available in Schools

NEW CASTLE (March 2, 2022) – Delaware households with children affected by school closures or reduced in-person hours or attendance caused by COVID-19 will receive emergency food assistance benefits under the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program. Eligible households will receive P-EBT benefits for each school day that their child did not receive meals at school during the current school year because of a COVID-related reason.

The State’s Division of Social Services, collaborating with the State’s Department of Education, will issue P-EBT benefits beginning Thursday, March 3. Benefits will be available on recipients’ EBT cards beginning Friday, March 4. The dates that benefits will be issued to individual households depend on when the Division of Social Services receives eligibility and attendance data from each school. Some households may experience a delay in receiving benefits, and benefits may become available within two or more weeks from the monthly issuance date.

“While Delaware schools have operated in person for the vast majority of the school year, we know that the Delta and Omicron surges, in particular, did impact in-person learning,” said Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Molly Magarik. “Today, the transmission of COVID-19 is significantly reduced across our state, but we are still seeing cases in people of all ages, including students. When vulnerable students miss school for any COVID-related reason, that impacts their access to free or reduced-price meals. This temporary assistance will help affected families continue to provide a nutritious diet, which is essential to their children’s health and, in turn, strengthens their children’s ability to learn.”

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 (PL 116–127), as amended by the Continuing Appropriations Act 2021 and Other Extensions Act (PL 116-159), the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 (PL 116-260), and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (PL 117-2) allows P-EBT to be extended through the 2021-2022 school year. Delaware will issue P-EBT benefits for August 2021 through June 2022 using the following schedule:

Children enrolled in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade at a Delaware school are eligible for P-EBT benefits for the 2021-2022 school year if two conditions are met:

1. The child is certified either directly, through categorical eligibility, or through an application to receive free or reduced-price meals or attends a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school where all students receive free meals through the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program; and
2. The child is not able to receive free or reduced-price meals at school because the school was closed or the child had an excused absence or attended school virtually due to a COVID-related reason.

Households will receive $7.10 for each school day that their child did not receive meals at school because the school was closed or the child had an excused absence or attended school virtually due to a COVID-related reason. The P-EBT benefit amount equals the federal reimbursement rate for breakfast, lunch, and a snack of $7.10 per child per eligible school day. Households will receive P-EBT benefits for all eligible children in their home in monthly issuances. Households will not receive P-EBT for the days that their children attended school in-person and received meals at school or for absent days that are not due to COVID.

P-EBT benefits may be used to purchase food at stores that accept SNAP EBT cards. SNAP households will have P-EBT benefits loaded to their existing SNAP EBT cards. Households that do not receive SNAP will have P-EBT benefits loaded to the P-EBT card that was sent to them in a previous school year. Newly eligible non-SNAP households will receive a P-EBT card in the mail along with details on how to use the card.

Eligible households will receive written notification in the mail regarding P-EBT benefits for the 2021-2022 school year. P-EBT eligibility is based on information received from Delaware schools.

Please contact the Division of Social Services at 1-866-843-7212 if you have questions about Delaware’s P-EBT program. Up-to-date P-EBT information can be found on Delaware’s P-EBT website.