Delaware distributes food relief funds

Money was placed on food assistance cards to about 60,000 Delaware households Nov. 7 under the First State Food Relief Funds.

The program to provide money for families on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program comes from the State of Emergency declared Oct. 29, which transferred state money to the Department of Health and Social Services to be disbursed on a week-by-week basis this month.

Officials said Delaware’s issuance of about $5.2 million represents 25% of an individual or household’s normal monthly SNAP benefit. Additional weekly deposits of the state funds may be issued in November, officials said, pending disbursement of federal SNAP benefits.

“Today’s funds reflect DHSS and Gov. Meyer’s commitment to keeping Delawareans connected to essential nutrition support,” said DHSS Secretary Christen Linke Young in a press release. “DHSS is prepared to issue additional weekly relief as needed this month and we encourage households to monitor their EBT accounts for updates.”

Officials said states have not yet received guidance for when to expect federal funds for disbursement of SNAP benefits to eligible individuals.