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GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES Press Contact: Ryan Nugent, Director, Office of Communications Phone: (340) 718-1612 ryan.nugent@dhs.vi.gov PRESS RELEASE VI Department of Human Services, Division of Family Assistance issuing 1nd round of Pandemic Emergency Assistance Funds PHASE 2 For Immediate Release: October 21, 2022 U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – The Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Family Assistance (DFA) has begun the process of issuing the 1st round of Pandemic Emergency Allotment Funds Phase 2. Heads of Households who applied and were approved, received notices this week. These notices contained information detailing the amount of their awards and a specific timetable of issuance based on alphabetic last name grouping. Those applicants that were not approved or were waitlisted also receive a detailed notice. This most recent allotment was authorized by the American Rescue Plan through the Administration of Children and Families (ACF). A total of $431,825.04 was approved and available for disbursement to PEAF 2 beneficiaries this round. PEAF phase 2 will continue to be issued to eligible Virgin Island family households with a combined income maximum of $50,000 per annum until Saturday, October 29, 2022. Application approval and benefit levels were determined via the Territorial PEAF2 review committee. Benefit disbursements are issued via paper checks to applicants after verification of identifications and signature. The Division of Family Assistance has maintained a chronological application review process to ensure equitable award disbursement. DHS will award all PEAF funds, but it should be noted that not all eligible applications may be able to be funded with the limited PEAF funds this round. Commissioner Causey-Gomez stated that “This funding will assist middle-income families with un- met needs resulting from pandemic/endemic financial hardships. This group is a population that generally does not benefit from traditional Federal Government programs due to higher income brackets. As this funding is made available in tandem with ACF, all applicants MUST have at least one (1) minor child residing in their household at the time of application submission.” • Please note in order to receive PEAF checks, approved Applicants must have a valid picture ID, and the applicants name must appear on the check. • DFA will continue to call and mail notices to approved applicants, informing them of them of their status and providing a timetable when they can pick up checks. • DFA will mail notices to applicants that were not approved and applicants that were waitlisted this round. For additional information please call: Territorial PEAF2 Hotline: (340) 772-7120 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. For more information, please visit the Department of Human Services website, www.dhs.gov.vi or on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/usvidhs) at US Virgin Islands Department of Human Services. 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. Visit transparency.vi.gov. ###