1303 Hospital Ground • STE 1 • St. Thomas, VI 00802-6722 • (340) 774-0930 3012 Golden Rock • Christiansted, VI 00802 • (340) 718-2980 www.dhs.vi.gov GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES Press Contact: Ryan Nugent Director of Communications Ryan.nugent@dhs.vi.gov Phone: (340) 725-4924 PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release: Wednesday 5 July 2023 DHS ISSUES 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR and SUMMER PANDEMIC ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER (P-EBT) FOR ELIGIBLE SNAP CHILDREN in CHILD CARE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS - The VI Department of Human Services today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services has approved an additional School Year and Summer Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) for eligible children who were in child care and enrolled in SNAP during the 2021-2022 school year or during the Summer of 2022. The SY 2021-2022 and Summer 2022 PEBT benefits will be issued through the U.S. Virgin Islands’ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) EBT card system to households with eligible children who were enrolled in SNAP. DHS began issuing the SY 2021-2022 and Summer 2022 PEBT benefits to eligible children on Monday July 3, 2023. Unlike regular SNAP, which is renewable based on eligibility, these P-EBT benefits are one- time benefit issuances for households with eligible children. P-EBT was funded by the Family First Coronavirus Response Act. Commissioner Causey-Gomez stated, "I am pleased to announce that the Department of Human Services (DHS) is now able to provide the one-time 2021-2022 P-EBT benefits and Summer 2022 benefits to every eligible child in childcare across the U.S. Virgin Islands. This crucial initiative aims to address the food deficiencies that children in childcare may have experienced last year due to the pandemic's impact on their access to meals at their respective facilities." The Commissioner added, “We understand the importance of providing assistance to our community, particularly during difficult circumstances such as the past pandemic. By issuing these benefits, we are taking proactive steps to support our children in child care and help them thrive." Who is eligible for School Year 2021-2022 P-EBT for Children in Childcare? • All children under the age of 6 as of August 1, 2021 (born after August 1, 2015) who were enrolled in SNAP in any month between August 2021 and May 2022. These children are considered enrolled in a covered child care facility and this facility was closed or operating with reduced attendance or hours, resulting in the child’s inability to attend the facility during the school year period. These children will receive a monthly benefit based on the number of months they received SNAP benefits. 1303 Hospital Ground • STE 1 • St. Thomas, VI 00802-6722 • (340) 774-0930 3012 Golden Rock • Christiansted, VI 00802 • (340) 718-2980 www.dhs.vi.gov • There is no application process. The Virgin Islands Division of Family Assistance will identify eligible children. • Every child that is found eligible will go through a duplicate check to ensure no child receives duplicate P-EBT benefits for a particular month. How much will each child receive for the School Year 2021-2022 P-EBT for Children in Childcare? • Eligible children will receive a monthly benefit based on the number of months they were enrolled in SNAP during the 2021-2022 school year as follows: Benefit Per Month* Enrolled in SNAP 1 month within the semester Enrolled in SNAP 2 months within semester Enrolled in SNAP 3 months within the semester Enrolled in SNAP 4 months within semester Enrolled in SNAP 5 months within semester Fall Semester Months (Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec) $80.01 $80.01 $160.02 $240.03 $320.04 $400.05 Spring Semester Months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May) $76.53 $76.53 $153.06 $229.59 $306.12 $382.65 The minimum benefit received will be $76.53 and the maximum benefit will be $782.70 for the School Year 2021-2022 P-EBT. *Benefit Per Month is calculated based on percent change in CACFP lunch claims, # of virtual school days per month, and the USDA daily school meal program reimbursement. Who is eligible for Summer 2022 P-EBT for Children in Childcare? a) All children enrolled in SNAP during the covered summer period (June 2022-August 2022) who received P-EBT childcare benefits in the last month of the school year (May 2022). b) All children of the SNAP households who started receiving SNAP benefits during the covered summer period (June- August 2022) are under the age of 6 at the time of the SNAP application. c) All children enrolled in SNAP who are born before the end of the summer period (August 2022). d) There is no application process. The Virgin Islands Division of Family Assistance will identify all children. e) Every child that is found eligible will go through a duplicate check to ensure no child receives duplicate P-EBT benefits for a particular month. How much will each child receive for the Summer 2022 P-EBT for Children in Childcare? • Eligible children will receive a one-time benefit of $455.00. How will the School Year and Summer 2021-2022 P-EBT be issued? 1303 Hospital Ground • STE 1 • St. Thomas, VI 00802-6722 • (340) 774-0930 3012 Golden Rock • Christiansted, VI 00802 • (340) 718-2980 www.dhs.vi.gov 1. For eligible children, benefits will be loaded on the household’s existing SNAP EBT card. 2. If you lost or damaged your EBT Card, contact the EBT hotline at (340) 772-7120, email pebt@dhs.vi.gov or come to the DFA Issuance Offices located at Knud Hansen Complex (St. Thomas) or DHS Mars Hill to pick up a card. Picture IDS are required. 3. DHS will issue P-EBT benefits for SNAP children in child care beginning July 3, 2023. USVI is expected to complete the issuance of School Year benefits by July 3, 2023, and summer benefit by July 6, 2022 4. Friendly Reminder: • P-EBT benefits can only be used to purchase food items at the stores of authorized SNAP retailers. • P-EBT benefits are not transferrable! You must destroy the card if you do not want the benefits. For more information about P-EBT, visit the DHS website at www.dhs.gov.vi or families may call the P-EBT Customer Service Number (340)772-7120 or email pebt@dhs.vi.gov with the subject P- EBT. The Department of Human Services (VIDHS) exists to provide social services to members in our community with diverse needs. In times of national uncertainty and hardship we act as a safety-net and exist to inspire hope and empower change through non- judgmental, quality delivery of needed services and resources. Please visit the Department of Human Services website, www.dhs.gov.vi for more information. For general information, please visit the Department of Human Services website, www.dhs.gov.vi or on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/usvidhs). The Bryan-Roach Administration is investing in the Territory’s people, infrastructure, and future through transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government, and ensuring that recovery projects are completed as quickly as possible. 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