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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: 17 February 2023 DHS Announces that February 18, 2023, will be the Final Issuance of Federal Emergency Allotments; SNAP Households should Prepare for Upcoming Reduction U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – The Department of Human Services, Division of Family Assistance announces that the final emergency allotments for SNAP Households in the territory, will be issued on February 18, 2023. These temporary funds were initially granted to help SNAP recipients weather financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Allotment (EA), however, was not included in the $1.7 trillion Consolidated Appropriations Act that President Joe Biden signed in late December. Therefore, beginning March 1, 2023, all SNAP recipients, including U.S. Virgin Islanders who qualified for the extra money, will see their monthly payments decrease by $95 or more.    On March 1, 2023, when the temporary emergency allotment expires, each SNAP household will revert to receiving benefits that were based on the factors in determining eligibility, including household size, income, and deductions. DHS is advising SNAP Households to take steps to prepare for the loss of the additional funds next month.      VIDHS Commissioner Kimberley Causey-Gomez commented, “Originally, the last issuance was supposed to be in August 2022, however through my authority as Commissioner, and approval by FNS, we extended the EA by an additional six months. Unfortunately, no additional extensions are allowable under the federal guidelines and therefore households need to budget their February benefits to compensate for the upcoming March reduction. As a reminder, the change to your benefit amount is due to the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act and VIDHS does not have any control over this change.”     For any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the following numbers:  St. Croix (340) 772-7100 ext. 7103, 7199, 7025  St. Thomas/St. John 774-0930 ext. 4386, 4387 4388    The Department of Human Services (VIDHS) exists to provide social services to members in our community with diverse needs. Please visit the Department of Human Services website, www.dhs.gov.vi for more information.    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 www.transparencyvi.gov.  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